Arthroscopic Meniscus Repair: A minimally invasive method to repair torn knee cartilage
Edited By: John R. Green III, M.D.
Last updated Thursday, January 19, 2006
Recovering from surgeryPain and pain management Arthroscopic meniscus repair is moderately painful. Because more soft
tissue surgery is performed, it is more painful than a standard
arthroscopy, but less painful than a ligament reconstruction or another
procedure that requires drilling holes through the bone. Local
anesthetic is used during surgery to minimize pain, but patients
generally have a swollen, painful knee for the first three days after
surgery, which is manageable with oral narcotic and anti-inflammatory
pain medication.Use of medications Oral anti-inflammatory medication is taken by mouth on a schedule, and
narcotic pain medicine is taken by mouth as needed. Patients require
narcotic pain medications an average of 2-5 days after surgery.Effectiveness of medications The combination of narcotic and anti-inflammatory pain medication
produces highly effective pain relief with minimal side effects. Good
pain control is a balance between effectiveness and side effects. Since
all narcotic pain medicine can cause nausea and be constipating,
drinking plenty of fluid and taking a stool softener after surgery can
decrease these problems.Important side effects Narcotic pain medications can cause drowsiness, slowness of breathing,
difficulty emptying the bladder and bowel, nausea, vomiting and
allergic reactions. Patients who have substantial narcotic medications
or alcohol in the recent past may find that usual doses of pain
medication are less effective. For some patients, balancing the benefit
and the side effects of pain medication is challenging. Patients should
notify their surgeon if they have had previous difficulties with pain
medication or pain control.Hospital stay Arthroscopic meniscus repair is an outpatient procedure. After surgery,
the patient spends one to two hours in the recovery room, and is
discharged to home with a friend or family member.Hospital discharge After arthroscopic meniscus repair, the patient generally has a
cryocuff and a knee brace. The cryocuff is cold, compression device,
that consists of a bladder around the knee and a cooler for ice a
water. Using gravity to empty and fill the bladder, the knee can be
kept cool to minimize swelling and decrease pain. The brace keeps the
leg straight. Depending on the pattern of the tear, full weight-bearing
in the brace may be permitted immediately after surgery. Taking it easy
the first two days after surgery, with the limb propped up when sitting
helps keep swelling to a minimum, and will actually speed recovery.
During this time, pumping the ankle up and down is recommended to
improve blood flow in the leg. Specific post operative instructions
will be reviewed prior to discharge.Convalescent assistance Even though patients go home after arthroscopic meniscus repair, they
will appreciate some assistance for the first several days after
surgery. Driving is not recommended until a patient is comfortable off
all narcotic pain medications.Surgery for Meniscus Tear at the University of Washington If you are interested in making an appointment to discuss this procedure, you can request an appointment using our online referrals website. To request a referral online, please click here. You can also call 206-543-1552 to make an appointment.
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