Arthroscopic Meniscus Repair, Knee Surgery
Your doctor has recommended that you have arthroscopic surgery in
order to repair a torn meniscus in your knee. But what does that
actually mean?
The knee is one of the most important and one of the most complex
joints in your body.
It is made up of bone, ligament and cartilage. Damage to any
individual part can dramatically restrict the normal movement of the
leg and can even interfere with the ability to walk.
Let's take a look at the way the knee is put together. The femur, or
thigh bone, meets the tibia to create a flexible joint called the
knee.
Helping to stabilize the knee are flexible bands of tissue called
ligaments.
Protecting the bony surfaces that rub together, are pads of tissue
called cartilage.
Cartilage acts like a cushion. Without it, every time you bend at
the knee, you would cause the major bones of the leg to grind
together.
The meniscus is cartilage that not only protects the bone, but also
acts like the leg's shock absorber.
Twisting or bending the knee during sports or even normal activity
can damage the meniscus.
Symptoms include swelling, restricted movement, pain and even the
inability to stand on the effected leg.