Partial Meniscectomy

Good candidates for partial meniscectomy are individuals experiencing persistent pain, swelling, limited motion, or mechanical symptoms like locking or catching in their knee due to a meniscal tear, and those whose symptoms have not improved with non-surgical treatments. It is often appropriate for tears that are degenerative or located in the inner two-thirds of the meniscus, which has a poor blood supply for healing.

Partial Meniscectomy is typically performed using arthroscopy, a minimally invasive surgical technique. The procedure generally involves the following steps: Two small incisions are made around the front of your knee and a tiny camera, the arthroscope, is inserted to view the inside of the knee. The meniscus is probed to determine if it could be repaired or not. If it can not be repaired or is unlikely to heal, the torn portion is removed using small, specialized instruments, leaving as much healthy tissue as possible.

Recovery from a partial meniscectomy is generally quicker than recovery from a meniscus repair. Many patients can return to desk jobs or light activities within a week or two. For physically demanding occupations or sports, the recovery timeline may extend to six weeks or more. The specifics can vary based on the individual and the nature of the meniscal tear.

Immediately after the surgery, you will be monitored in a recovery room until the anesthesia wears off and you go home the same day. Your knee will be bandaged, and you will likely be able to walk using crutches only as needed. Pain medications will be provided to manage any discomfort.

Physical therapy after a partial meniscectomy focuses on restoring strength and flexibility in the knee. The typical stages might include:

• Early Stage (Weeks 1-2): The goals are to control pain and swelling, regain full knee extension, and normalize walking. Gentle range-of-motion and strengthening exercises are initiated.
• – Middle Stage (Weeks 2-6): Progressing with strengthening exercises, improving flexibility, and starting low-impact cardiovascular conditioning like stationary cycling.
• Late Stage (Weeks 6 and beyond): Return to sport or work-specific training, including strength, agility, and endurance exercises.

Though generally considered safe, partial meniscectomy does carry some potential risks:

• Infection: Less than 1% of patients may develop an infection, and antibiotics are given to reduce this risk.
• Blood clots: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) can occur, but are very rare (less than 1%).
• Persistent pain or mechanical symptoms: Many times this surgery is successful at reducing mechanical symptoms and pain associated with such. However, if there is other damage in the knee such as to the cartilage, some percentage of patients may not get significant pain relief, or even get worse after surgery.
• Nerve or blood vessel damage: Very rare but can lead to numbness or weakness in the leg.
• Progression of arthritis: Since meniscectomy involves removing part of the shock-absorbing cartilage, there’s an increased risk for developing knee arthritis in the long term.

If it is recommended you get a partial meniscectomy and you choose not to undergo surgery, there are potential risks:

• Persistent knee symptoms: You may continue to experience pain, swelling, and mechanical symptoms like catching or locking.
• Further knee damage: The torn portion of the meniscus can cause damage to the surrounding cartilage, increasing the risk for osteoarthritis.
• Limited function: You may be unable to return to your normal level of physical activity, including sports or physically demanding work.