Costs of a meniscus operation
The cost of meniscus surgery depends on both the extent of the injury and the extent of the surgical procedure. In addition, further costs for diagnostics, general anesthesia, rent of the operating room and post-operative treatment must be covered. Depending on the disease of the meniscus, further costs for rehabilitation measures and aids may also arise after successful meniscus surgery.
However, since a meniscus operation is not a cosmetic procedure without medical indication, these costs do not have to be borne by the patient himself. Both statutory and private health insurances have to cover the entire costs of the meniscus surgery including diagnostics, operating room, general anesthesia and post-operative treatment in full. Also the costs of a subsequent rehabilitation treatment are usually not borne by the insured.
Risks of meniscus surgery
Meniscus surgery, just like any other surgical procedure, involves certain risks. (see: Complications of an operation) The risks typical of an operation are generally divided into two classes: general and special risks.
General risks
The usual general risks also apply to meniscus surgery. During a surgical procedure under general anesthesia, complications in the cardiovascular system can occur. In addition, breathing may be restricted during the meniscus surgery.
The statistically greatest risk of an operation is the development of a so-called thrombosis. However, the closure of a vein by a blood clot is normally prevented by various measures. Especially after a meniscus operation with subsequent immobilization of the knee joint, injections with a blood-thinning medication must be administered over a period of several days.
Nevertheless, even under all possible precautions, thrombosis can occur.Persons who notice swelling or pain in the area of the lower leg or calf following meniscus surgery should therefore immediately consult the treating specialist. In addition, infections can occur after a surgical procedure. In the case of meniscus surgery, inflammation of the knee joint is one of the most feared risks.
Small incisions during the operation can reduce the risk of infection but not eliminate it completely. In addition, secondary bleeding and nerve damage are among the most common risks of a knee joint operation. Special risks Wound infections are both general and special risks during meniscus surgery.
Especially with the open surgical method, germs can penetrate the wound during meniscus surgery. These pathogens can then lead to pronounced inflammatory processes in the area of the knee joint. An infection of the knee joint after meniscus surgery is considered a particularly unfavorable complication, since the knee joint cartilage can be severely damaged by the inflammatory processes.
However, since meniscus surgery is performed under strictly sterile conditions, regardless of the surgical procedure chosen, wound infections are rather rare. In addition, persistent pain after meniscus surgery is one of the relevant risks. If the injured meniscus is replaced by a meniscus replacement during the surgical procedure, there is an additional risk of the implant tearing under stress.
Furthermore, even after a successful meniscus surgery, a joint effusion can occur due to the tissue trauma. This complication then makes it necessary to puncture the freshly operated knee joint. Puncture can also lead to wound infections and bleeding.
Other specific risks of meniscus surgery include injuries to the cartilaginous joint surfaces and long-term impairment of joint function. In addition, after surgical refixation of a torn meniscus, a renewed tearing may occur. As a consequence, the patient will need another operation.
