What happens if meniscus repair fails?

What happens if meniscus repair fails?

If the meniscal tissue fails to heal then it is likely that eventually the tiny sutures will tear and fail, and the knee will remain symptomatic. However, the average success rate for meniscal repairs healing up successfully is approximately 90%, which is pretty good for any surgical procedure.

How often do meniscus repairs fail?

Total distribution of failures. Medial meniscal repairs had significantly higher failure rates within 3 years (28.3%) than lateral repairs (11.7%).

Why is my meniscus not healing?

A tear on the inner two-thirds of the meniscus that won’t heal on its own because the area lacks blood flow to stimulate the immune system response. A tear that gives you a lot of pain or impairs use of your knee may require surgery to remove or repair the torn part of the meniscus.

Why does my knee still hurt 5 months after meniscus surgery?

Another reason for knee pain 1 year after meniscus surgery is new-onset arthritis. As per the research, the knee is more susceptible to arthritis after meniscus surgery (7). The researchers looked at structural changes on knee MRIs over an 18-month period after surgery.

How common is it to Retear a meniscus?

Fact: 2013 research in the American Journal of Sports Medicine notes that many prior studies suggested between 20% and 40% of meniscus tears repaired surgically later re-tear with higher re-tear rates in medial (or the inside of your knee) versus lateral (or the outside of your knee) meniscal repair.

Can you Retear a repaired meniscus?

The overall goal of a revision meniscus repair is to treat the re-tear in order to alleviate knee pain, swelling, and loss of function. Dr. Provencher will perform a thorough medical review and physical examination to determine if a patient is an ideal candidate for a meniscus knee revision surgery.

Why does my knee keep popping after meniscus surgery?

Knee popping after meniscus surgery can occur due to fluid accumulation, scar tissue, swelling and stretching of the tendon and ligaments, weakened leg muscles, changes in patellar tracking, underlying knee arthritis, unstable meniscus, and inflamed plica.

What happens if a meniscus repair fails?

If a meniscus repair fails, the surgeon usually performs a second surgery to trim out the tear. As with any partial meniscectomy, that trimming relieves pain but does decrease the amount of meniscus remaining. Concern for the development of arthritis changes years down the road does exist.

What happens if you leave a torn meniscus untreated?

Left untreated, a torn meniscus tear can cause even more damage, accelerate the onset of osteoarthritis, and result in a myriad of other undesirable symptoms. Treatment for a torn meniscus typically starts conservatively. Your doctor might recommend rest, ice, over the counter pain relievers, or physical therapy.

How long does it take to recover from meniscus surgery?

In general, your rehab will be complete within a few months after surgery but may continue for as long as 6 months. Immediately after meniscus surgery, your knee will likely be immobilized in a brace locked in a straight position. You will use crutches, and your doctor may limit the amount of weight you can put on the injured leg.

What is the recovery time for a meniscus repair?

Typical recovery time from a meniscus repair surgery is three to four months. For the first four to six weeks, your knee will be locked in a special brace that restricts range of motion. Initially this brace is kept in a straight position and you will use crutches, as you are not allowed to bear any weight on your leg.