What is done surgically?
A. Three or four small inch incisions are made about the knee under an anesthetic. The surgery is performed in the Rush Surgicenter or at hospital. A fiberoptic telescope is inserted into the knee joint which allows us to maneuver through the joint looking at the normal and abnormal joint surfaces. A variety of instruments can be inserted to perform the surgery. A probe can be used to palpate the joint surfaces and feel the menisci. Miniature cutting instruments and or a motorized shave is used to remove the torn fragment or portion of the meniscus. In general approximately 15-20% of the meniscus might be removed. At the end of the surgery an anesthetic is injected into the knee joint, the poke holes (portal) are closed with a single suture, and sterile dressings are applied along with an ice wrap. The procedure usually takes 30-45 minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis.
