Meniscus repair surgery is performed when the patient suffers a tear of the meniscus cartilage located in the knee. Meniscus repair surgery is actually very common because of the ease with which the cartilage can be damaged. However, not all meniscus tears can be repaired and the pattern of damage plays a decisive role in how badly the knee is injured and whether surgery can help at all. Some of the factors that will play a part in meniscus repair surgery recovery time as well as possibility include your age, health as well as physical activity levels. Case studies show that radial tears can sometimes be repaired while long standing, horizontal or flap tears that are the result of years of wear and tear can generally not be repaired.
Paying attention to the seriousness of the injury and the pain caused will give you an idea about whether the injury can be treated effectively with the help of meniscus repair surgery. The smaller tears will be characterized by minimal pain at the time of the injury, although the pain will be felt more significantly when stress is placed on your knees. If you have moderate tears you will experience the pain at the side or the center of your knee and, while you will be able to walk, actions like twisting your knee is likely to cause a serious amount of pain. The larger tears will cause pain and immediate swelling as well as stiffness around the affected area.
Cost of meniscus repair surgery depends on a number of factors such as your location as well as the reputation of the surgeon that you get to perform the procedure. While the average cost is around $9000, the procedures can also go as high as about $30000. Studies have shown that the success rate of the surgery returns the patient to normal knee function in about 85% of all surgeries when it is established that the procedure can help. The risks involved in having the surgery performed include infection, blood clots in the leg, risks involved with incorrect administration of anesthesia and damage to the nerves and blood vessels around the knee. Performing the surgery as soon as possible after the injury will play a vital role in making sure that the surgery is a success. Successful completion of the surgery will prevent the development of a number of age related knee problems such as osteoarthritis.