Meniscus :

Purpose of hole drilling? - - Posted by SallyW (SallyW), 9 December 2004

I went in for a partial meniscus removal this morning - he cleaned up several tears (only one of which showed on the MRI, btw - he found at least one more). He said that he also drilled some holes - anyone know the purpose of that?

My tears were degenerative, not caused by trauma if that makes a difference. He said I'll need crutches/partial weight bearing for about a week.

I'm strung out on demerol now, also hung over from the general (I woke up about 4 hours ago). I'm fairly comfortable as long as I do minimal/no weightbearing - but I'm home, relaxing in the recliner with the cat.

Someone else here had the hole drilling thing - Island Girl? Have you learned anything else about it? Your reports helped me have an idea what the ortho told me afterwards.
Posted by kneesurgery (kneesurgery), 10 December 2004

they are speed holes.   Sorry that was jerky.

Did he drill holes in the articular cartilidge.  I believe this is an attempt to have it grow back stronger which will give you better support and take strain off the remaining meniscus.
Posted by andrewc (AndrewC), 10 December 2004

Hey there

The holes he drilled will have been in the meniscus. In areas around the removal and slightly damaged areas or minor tears etc

The reason for this is to do with promoting healing of the meniscus. As it has a very poor blood supply the drilling is intended to stimulate blood flow and nutrients to the afftected area thereby promoting healing and self repair.

Knee surgery is right that procedures are done on articular cartilage too...normally called mosaicplasty

All the best.

Will msg you kneesurgery tonight
Posted by kneesurgery (kneesurgery), 10 December 2004

Hey Andrew,

Thanks for the much better response.  I wasnt really sure if I had heard that or imagined it.  How is your rehab going Sally?
Posted by SallyW (SallyW), 10 December 2004

Thanks for the quick answers guys.

I'm pretty sore today - keep thinking that I should try cutting back on the demerol, but just moving hurts so much that I think I'll need the drugs for another day or so. The drugs keep me a bit sleepy - probably good because I'm getting some needed rest.

I've talked to people who have been walking without crutches within a day or so of the surgery. It looks like it won't be that way for me - the holes are going to slow things down for me. But - if this is what it takes to get my knee working again, that's fine with me.
Posted by islandgirl2 (islandgirl2), 17 December 2004

Sally, it's been a month now since surgery and I still can't stand for very long or walk too much.  I do a bit of walking around the house, and about 10 minutes after I have to put ice on my knees.  The right one was the one they scoped (hole drilling thingy), and the left still has the torn meniscus.  The thing is though they told me that my tear was substantial so I don't see how that's going to heal.  Also, the OS acted as if I should have been up and about the week after surgery, yet here it is four weeks and I'm really getting tired of not being able to walk much!
Posted by SallyW (SallyW), 18 December 2004

Islandgirl - thanks for the update - I've been wondering how you were doing. Sorry that things are taking so long for you.

I started walking Saturday evening - just a few steps here and there without the crutches. I finished with them entirely Monday, about 1/2 week after the procedure, so I was ahead of schedule . I've started working to build up the distance I can walk - maybe 1/4 mile right now. My ortho recommended swimming, but I do NOT like water! We have a rowing machine, though, and he said that will help (haven't tried it yet, though - I'd rather be outside). It still hurts to walk if I take a wrong step (and you know how many wrong steps there can be!), so I have to be careful. I really don't want to redamage this before ski season starts (which, with our "Tropical Express", may not happen this season for *anyone*).

Oh - even though I'm ahead of schedule on walking, the ortho said that's okay - just nothing strenuous for another month.

This old Forum was so valuable that we have kept it as an archive. It is just for reference. If you want to ask questions or offer advice, there is also a current Bulletin Board which you can access from our home page.