Based on the results of your interview, examination, and imaging studies, you can expect a custom care plan catered specifically to you.

Many people believe it’s best to wait until pain becomes severe, leading them to “put off” or delay treatments for meniscus injuries. If you are in constant discomfort, have shooting or stabbing pains, have limited range of motion, clicking or locking of the knee or an inability to perform your daily activities, meniscus injury treatments may be right for you. New technologies allow patients with meniscus injuries to fully recover and enjoy the benefits of a more functional, pain-free lifestyle.

Prior to surgery, you will typically receive at least 2 phone calls:

1. A hospital registration representative will call to gather insurance and other personal information.
2. A registered nurse will call to review your health history and medication information.

Dependent on your health history, your physician may require:

• Pre-surgical laboratory tests
• X-rays
• Primary care clearance

Pre-operative instructions will vary depending on your physician and the location of your surgery. Always check with your physician before surgery for specific instructions.

Most physicians require that patients not eat or drink after midnight prior to surgery. Additionally, you will need to designate a family member or friend to drive you home on the day you are released from the hospital. Surgical patients cannot drive themselves home.

If you schedule your surgery with a KCOA physician, you can expect the following on surgery day: 

• A receptionist will check you in at the hospital registration desk.
• A nurse will take you back and prepare you for surgery. They will start an IV, prepare the surgical site, and review your medical history and medications.
• Your surgeon and anesthesiologist will visit with you prior to your operation.
• The surgical team will take you to the operation suite for surgery.

If conservative and non-surgical treatments fail to alleviate symptoms and restore function, surgical treatments may be necessary. For meniscus injuries specifically, there are a number of different surgical treatments that our Board Certified orthopedic surgeons can perform. These include all of the following:

• Meniscus Debridement
• Meniscus Repair
• Meniscus Transplantation

The type of meniscus surgery that’s performed will be decided well before your actual surgery. Though the methods vary, your meniscus surgery will involve the use of general anesthesia and generally can be completed in under two hours.

During your procedure, your surgeon may repair the cartilage that makes up your meniscus, located between the bones in your knee. In most cases, meniscus repair is performed with arthroscopic surgery, where your surgeon will insert a lighted tube and a tiny camera into the knee through small incisions.

Your doctor may also perform a partial meniscectomy in the case of a less severe injury. In this instance, the healthy meniscus is left in place while the damaged cartilage is removed.

A patient’s recovery plan and timeline will vary based on a variety of factors, including age, activity level, goals, and more. However, taking care of your body is essential to ensure optimal results from your meniscus surgery.

Following your procedure, patients will likely experience swelling, bruising, and possible numbness in the treatment area. Rest and ice will be critical immediately following surgery. Your provider may also provide you with pain medications, crutches, a brace, and more.

The full recovery timeline can take anywhere from six weeks to six months, depending on the extent of the repair, your response to treatment, and your goals post-procedure. To see the best results from your treatment, strict adherence to your recovery plan will be crucial. This can include physical therapy, rehab, rest, icing, and more.