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What Is A Menisectomy?

 

Menisectomy Knee SurgeryOften times, people have knee pain and don’t know what is wrong. A common knee injury is a meniscus tear. There are two menisci in each knee, a medial and lateral. The role of the meniscus is to transmit central comprehensive loads out towards the periphery to decrease contact pressure to the articular cartilage in the knee. 50% of the compressive load passes through the menisci with the knee in full extension. 85% of the load passes through the knee when it is flexed at 90 degrees. Due to this a sudden pivot, turn, deep squat or heavy lifting are some causes of a meniscal tear.

Signs and symptoms of meniscal tears include:

  • Pain or tenderness to touch
  • Swelling
  • Locking, catching or giving way when you walk
  • Difficulty moving the knee into full range of motion

Common treatment for the meniscal tear is first, physical therapy, a conservative approach. Another form of treatment is surgical intervention, often a menisectomy. A menisectomy is a surgical procedure to remove part or the entire meniscus arthroscopically. There are certain types of tears of the meniscus that the surgeon will determine the best approach to fix the injury. Typically, the doctor following surgery prescribes Physical therapy. A physical therapy rehabilitation program will focus on restoring range of motion, decrease swelling, re-establish quadriceps muscle activity and assist the patient into returning to prior level of function or recreational activity. Contact your physical therapist today to conquer this nagging knee pain you may have been experiencing and get you back on your feet as soon as possible.

About the Author - Jade

Jade received her Bachelor's of Science Degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis on Pre-Physical Therapy from California State University, San Marcos in 2008. She then graduated from University of St. Augustine in Health Sciences in 2012, earning her Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy. As an athlete, Jade has suffered her fair share of injuries, where she understands the negative effects that injury can have on the body as well as the mind and soul. As a physical therapist, she has a true passion working in the orthopaedic setting and helping patients achieve their goals through applying her manual therapy training she received from multiple courses taken at the University of St. Augustine. Jade also has experience in home health and has been a member of the APTA since 2010.