Given the fact that the knees play such a vital role in our ability to move and perform a number of physical actions, it is important to make sure that we take as much care of them as possible. The knees are made up of a number of tissues and cartilage that play a role in helping us achieve the movements that we need to. The meniscus is one such cartilage and is very prone to damage. If damaged, the meniscus can be repaired with the help of surgery; however, this is very dependent on a number of factors such as the extent of damage as well as its location. Lateral meniscus repair will be required in the event that you experience the pain on the outer side of the knee. There are a number of factors that will gauge how effective lateral meniscus repair recovery time is required such as your overall health status, lifestyle and age. Another aspect to consider is also the freshness of the injury. The faster you have the injury looked at by a professional, the more chance of any long term injury being averted. Lateral meniscus damage that is the result of years of wear and tear is unlikely to be resolved with the help of surgery.
Studies have shown that properly performed lateral meniscus repair protocol has seen success in about 85% of all procedures performed. However, it is essential to point out the fact that the success of your procedure is highly dependent on the location of the tear in the first place. Lateral meniscus repair surgery, as with any kind of surgery, carries with it a number of risks that can affect you significantly in the immediate or even distant future. Some of the more common risks faced include infection, damage to the nerves or blood vessels located around the knee, risks as a result of improper anesthesia treatment and the development of blood clots in the legs.
Lateral meniscus repair rehab and recovery time depends a lot on how successfully the procedure had been carried out. The goal of the procedure is to make sure that the range of motion to the knee is restored as soon as possible. This is done mainly through knee arthroscopy being performed in order to allow the rehabilitation process to balance swelling and healing as well. Elite athletes should be able to return to light training in a few weeks after the completion of the surgery.