Arthroscopic meniscectomy is a surgical keyhole procedure to remove all or part of the meniscus of the knee. Page updated July 2024 by Dr Sheila Strover (Clinical Editor)
In one hand the arthroscope allows fluid to irrigate the joint, and also provides illumination and projects a camera image onto a monitor above the surgeon's head. The other hand controls the instruments to cut free any damaged parts of the meniscus.
The surgeon will generally try to preserve the important outer rim of the meniscus.
Recovery may still take a bit of time as the joint is inflated during the procedure with a modified saline solution under pressure, so there may be some swelling and stiffness, but it should soon resolve. Physiotherapy will still be necessary as the quadriceps muscle may become inhibited and there may be residual issues relating to the initial injury any period of immobility.
If the inner edge is trimmed, it won't make a huge difference to the knee, but if the outer rim is damaged then there is a strong chance of the knee developing arthritis.
This has settled and most surgeons will avoid trimming a torn meniscus in the older person on the assumption that the tear is degenerate..
"In a large study...designed to ascertain whether APM [arthroscopic partial meniscectomy] is superior to placebo surgery in treating patients with knee pain and a degenerative meniscus tear....[n]o statistically significant difference was found between the two groups."
"[BUT]...knee arthroscopy has a role in the management of targeted lesions and in certain situations where non-operative measures have proved unsuccessful."
Torn meniscus, Degenerate meniscus, Meniscectomy, Meniscal trimming, Arthroscopic lavage, Placebo, Arthroscopic lavage, Placebo