Operation | Torn meniscus

Operation

In most cases, however, the damage to the inner meniscus is so severe that conservative treatment is not sufficient and surgery is therefore indicated. The aim of an inner meniscus rupture is to preserve the meniscus. The operation is an arthroscopic procedure using an endoscope, which is inserted into the knee joint through small incisions.

Through further small incisions, trocars with different surgical instruments can be used. Depending on the type and severity of the tear in the inner meniscus, it can be surgically treated in different ways: If there is a torn handle or a tear at the base, the surgeon places a meniscus suture. With the help of a special suturing technique, the torn inner meniscus can thus be reattached and correctly positioned so that it grows together again.

In addition to meniscal suturing, there is also meniscal resection and meniscal transplantation. The former, i.e. a resection or removal, is necessary if the inner meniscus lesion is too large to be refixed with the help of the suture. Suturing may also not be possible if the tear is located in an area with poor blood supply, for example.

However, good blood circulation is a prerequisite for good wound healing. Therefore, a partial removal of the meniscus region which is not supplied with sufficient blood must be performed. A distinction is made between partial and total meniscectomy.

By definition, a partial resection removes less than half of the meniscus (< 50%); a total resection removes the entire meniscus in a self-explanatory manner. A meniscus transplantation, i.e. a replacement of the menisci, is indicated if the patient has already had the inner meniscus removed. Especially young and still active patients benefit from this meniscus transplantation, as it can reduce the risk of knee joint arthrosis due to the lack of shock absorber function. The meniscus replacement is either the meniscus of a donor or artificial tissue.