The study included 351 patients with knee OA and meniscus tear. Dr LaPrade performed a deep root repair to my meniscus, which saved me from a knee replacement at this time. Continuing to train, moving it as much as I could, bearing weight as much as I could tolerate, not sitting around, and NOT just doing PT exercises 1-2x times a week. Just its a big deal to take your time and let that cartilage heal at the rate that it heals you generally can go faster than what it heals, And the question that i get often is do i take any supplements glucosamine chondroitin those types of supplements and you know the answer to that is its not going to hurt we the research is kind of mixed on it sometimes it helps sometimes it doesnt help what we know is that it generally doesnt hurt it doesnt make it worse so youre not going to youre not going to make things worse if you decide to take those supplements are generally safe to take but some people report no difference. Among them, 32.60% demonstrated incomplete healing, loosening of the construct, or excessive scar tissues formation. But you need to still continue doing a few things to make sure that you get that remaining 20% healed so that you can truly get back to normal so let me give you some practical advice here three things that i want you to take away from this video number one set your expectations. Patients \50 years had outcomes similar to those of patients !50 years, as did . Most root tears involve either a direct tear of the meniscus off bone or a split of the meniscus within 1 cm of the root attachment. Driving after meniscus surgery How soon can you drive after Arthroscopic Knee Surgery? Your knee will be swollen. Therefore, one should attempt a meniscus root repair whenever possible in most patients up to age 70. According to a new study, it is safe for patients who underwent rotator cuff repair to safely return to driving two weeks after surgery. While there are many factors that can go into extrusion, a maximum attempt should be made by the surgeon to try to pull the meniscus back in the joint to give the meniscus the best chance to function as a shock absorber after it heals. Return to driving after surgery is okay once narcotic pain medication has been stopped and you are cleared by your surgeon. Grant H. Garcia, MD 148 subscribers Dr Garcia demonstrates his new meniscal extrusion technique to further improve meniscus root repairs. Stated to me , in detail, what to expect and how long my recovery will take. Meniscus repair recovery While everyone's recovery is different, here's what you can typically expect with a repair surgery: You may be on crutches for four to six weeks. In addition, the other factor is if the meniscus was released significantly enough from scar tissue to pull it back into the joint. Steadman Clinic, 181 W Meadow Drive, Suite 400, Vail, CO 81657, USA (email: drlaprade . I continued to lower the box for squats, and started to add weight. It helps to be strong, my PT remarked. Patients are allowed to walk 4-6 weeks after surgery. Takes his time with you and doesn't hurry to rush out of the room if you have questions. Knee popping after meniscus surgery can occur due to fluid accumulation, scar tissue, swelling and stretching of the tendon and ligaments, weakened leg muscles, changes in patellar tracking, underlying knee arthritis, unstable meniscus, and inflamed plica. It has now been demonstrated that the results of meniscectomies are almost the same as not treating the meniscus root tear at all with a large number of patients within 5 years proceeding to needing a total knee arthroplasty. It is vital that meniscus repair patients do not squat for at least four months after the repair. Everyone made us feel comfortable, and they were all polite and professional. Early weightbearing has been found to be the cause of meniscus root repair failure, and this has been validated by our colleagues In general, almost all meniscus root tears require a 6-week period of being nonweightbearing to maximize the healing potential. Super knowledgeable. Eventually, as I get into the mid 100s again, I will start adding five pounds a week. In general, in our practice, most patients who do have pain after a meniscus root repair fit into this category. I wont ever go anywhere else. What could you eat or do for a meniscus tear to heal faster after surgery? Types of root tears: Currently, there are mini First-Pass devices that curve to the right and the left, which allows increased access to a root tear, especially since most root tears tend to squirt to the back part of the joint and can be more difficult to access with a straight biter. So getting swelling, or if its been a year since you had your meniscus surgery, and youre better overall, but youre still getting some swelling and pain, then its normal. They have poor healing potential, and are extremely important to the stability and cushioning of the knee. His interaction with me around my surgery calmed me, and his excellent work in the operating room speaks for itself. Does a extruded medial meniscus towards the posterior root need surgery? Next, sutures are placed in the meniscal attachment and threaded through the hole in the tibia. The incisions leave scars that usually fade in time. In layman terms, I had completely torn my medial meniscus from the bone, and it had to be sewn back on. This was going to be a complete root repair surgery: toe-touch weightbearing for four weeks, six weeks in a brace and crutches. No swelling. And they can get back to normal in about two or three months after having the surgery. It was glorious. These results reveal that, since all the variables and possible concomitant injuries are investigated and addressed, MRR . An ACL tear commonly has a pop on the outside of the knee, whereas a patient who has meniscus root tear commonly feels a pop in the back of the knee. Nothing. An ACL tear most commonly occurs from a turning, twisting, or deceleration mechanism in a noncontact mode. A meniscus that still has extrusion present also does not function as well over the long term. The patients are mostly allowed to walk immediately after arthroscopic knee surgeries. Full recovery from meniscus surgery can take anywhere from six weeks to three months. Thank you Dr. Burnham and Jerrica for everything! short distances based on their motion and These two steps are considered to be the two main preparation steps, where the release of adhesions to be able to allow the meniscus to be pulled back in the joint and also decortication of bone to prepare a bony bed to repair the meniscus back to the tibia. His team is prompt, thorough, and fun - always smiles. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to proceed with a meniscus root repair whenever possible, with patients up to the age of 70 being reported as having excellent return of function. If youre watching this video today, and youre considering having a meniscus surgery for your knee, then youll want to listen closely so that you dont make this mistake after you have your meniscus surgery. Most patients with meniscal root tears will ultimately need surgical fixation of the root. Upon examination, the doctor told me that I most likely had a meniscus tear, and that I should get an MRI. The root attachments of the posterior horns of the medial and lateral meniscus are very important for joint health. And Im a specialist physical therapist El Paso manual physical therapy. 28323545 Additionally, preparing 2 transtibial tunnels to secure the meniscal root to its attachment site further increases the As a result, two weeks after surgery I was able to start driving my car, which is a manual. Are you an athlete who participates in sports that involve running and jumping? The knee will be swollen for 2-3 months. I decided to continue with my usual four day split with two upper body days and two lower body days, although I did also incorporate a few extra upper body exercises as my lower body work was not that intense. Please subscribe to this channel and turn on your notifications so that you dont miss a single video with great tips and advice that we put out every single week. And I feel my rode to recovery will be wonderful. I'm able to run and exercise without pain. Two weeks today I had meniscus root repair. Both my children have seen Dr. Burnham with great results. Get answers from Family Physicians and top U.S. doctors, Our doctors evaluate, diagnose, prescribe, order lab tests, and recommend follow-up care. Very reassuring, showed me X-rays and explained the healing process very clearly. I also found that there were patients being referred to me who had meniscus root repairs that were done well, but the meniscus was not pulled back in the joint and these patients continued to have pain. After a meniscus root repair, there is a prolonged period of non-weightbearing and restricted range of motion to allow proper healing. I hung on to this MRI referral for a good month or so, because the knee was starting to feel better, and I was still able to train and attend my BJJ classes. In addition, because of studies from our biomechanical studies showing significant stress on the meniscus with deep flexion, as well as the fact that many meniscus root tears occur with deep flexion, we have patients avoid squatting, squatting and lifting and sitting cross-legged (which puts extra stress on a root repair) for a minimum of 4 months postoperatively to maximize the healing potential. Many surgeons will tie the meniscus root repair with the knee bent, so that one can start motion right after surgery and not have to worry about the meniscus root repair being stretched out. And cartilage is one of the slowest healing tissues in the body. Very professional! Dr Burnhams bedside manner was exceptional. But typically physical therapy goes two to three months you get 80% better and a lot of times people have the expectation setting themselves that they can get back to everything that theyre doing before and thats just not the case they can do a lot of things now that they couldnt before the surgery typically. 2601 E. Yandell Drive, Suite 232 Sutures are passed through the meniscus, and then pulled down into a bone tunnel located at the same site as the root attachment before it tore. I have been walking and training normally for the past four and a half months. Many meniscus tears can be treated successfully without surgery. What made my recovery so fast? The next day, my left knee blew up to the size of a grapefruit. But if we are stronger, we are harder to break, and we most certainly recover faster and better. If not even worse. And theres things that you can do, which Ill allude to here in the middle. <>>> But youve got to figure out a way to get your butt muscles stronger if youre looking for a more comprehensive plan for making your knee better and getting your glutes stronger we also have a program called the 28 day knee health and wellness boost program you can also find that in the link and as a link in the description below. It took almost a week and a half for the swelling to go down, but there was still considerable swelling in my knee. Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. You should also be able use your leg for driving after one to two weeks, as long as you're not taking opiate pain medication. If so, you may be at risk of tearing the root of your meniscus. W;5$u4Yxa_V_bm}q8=^_qbY,H(+",X'{|oMs"&A;3.E s&L=Z`)!]$],b }zb& [email protected]:4@"Fz"U2`/h0|6^T&}56+Q:Dn{d:rqW@3 7 U. I think my clients thought I had lost my mind, but what else was I going to do? I could not bear weight on my right side though I tried repeatedly, but finally I went and got an MRI and one of the orthopedic surgeons that I worked with was shocked when he saw the MRI result. <>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/Annots[ 12 0 R] /MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> I started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu about four years ago. I got a lift home, and returned to the gym later that evening for more coaching. His MA Michelle was very professional and kind. This allows the meniscus to heal back to the bone. Therefore, we found that non-anatomic meniscus root tear repairs were not successful. Repair of the meniscal root significantly increased functional outcomes scores in 14 of 14 studies and the rate of conversion to TKA was considerably less than those observed following conservative treatment or partial meniscectomy. Therefore, addressing a meniscus root tear prior to the development of osteoarthritis would be indicated. very elderly patients). In some severe cases, they cant fully extend their knee out or bend their knee all the way. In the early stages of your meniscus tear you can take these conservative and essential treatments which are as follows: Rest Ice every 15 minutes in every 4-6 hours Compression with an ACE wrap or sleeve Elevation of the leg Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) for pain. The roots of the meniscus are responsible for transmitting weight evenly across the surface of the tibia. There are 2 main variants of the transtibial root repair technique. If the patient has or has developed significant arthritis, which is usually designated at Kellgren-Lawrence grades 3 or 4, it is felt that a revision root repair may not be indicated. Dr. Burnham performed my hip pin surgery and it all went extremely well. I'm taking pain meds regularly to try and ease pain. Two cannulas are subsequently placed into the area of bone that was decorticated to allow for the transtibial 2-tunnel technique to be performed. I can run, bike, & climb mountains. I recommend him, as well as his staff, to anyone requiring such services. Keeping each meniscus in place are two roots that attach to the tibia (shin bone). In some instances, the meniscus posterior horn may need to be released from scar tissue to allow it to be repositioned. Crutches will be used until the patient can walk without a limp on the repaired knee, which takes about 2 weeks after surgery. An iatrogenic meniscus root tear means that a tunnel was drilled for an ACL or PCL reconstruction and hit the meniscus root and detached it from bone. The procedure can be a complete meniscectomy where the meniscus and the . So lets get to it. I have been very pleased with him at each visit..It's been almost 2 years since my meniscus root tear surgery and I have to say my knee feels great. On Thursday, February 21, the day after my surgery, I went to work, in my brace and on crutches. Phase 1: 0-2 weeks post-operatively Goals Protect repair Minimize pain Minimize swelling . Medial meniscus root repair midterm results suggest excellent outcomes in a well-aligned knee with minimal degenerative change. How long did you have to avoid driving after meniscus surgery? Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Many patients who do have a meniscus root tear note that they feel a pop in the back of the knee when they are doing squatting activities, such as cleaning floors, gardening, placing down carpet or plumbing. Eagan, MN 55121, I struggled with my knee for 18 months - having gone from 10,000 steps a day to only walking as needed. Conclusion: Outcomes after posterior meniscal root repair significantly improved postoperatively and patient satisfaction was high, regardless of age or meniscal laterality. I definitely know that I would not have been able to do all that I can do now, if I had not gone into the surgery strong. Medial Patellofemoral Ligament (MPFL) Reconstruction . It was tough, and it hurt like hell, but I took it slowly. Other sources of pain can include scarring within the joint that occurs as a normal part of a surgical procedure, or pain from other pathology and joint, such as arthritis under the kneecap. Jerrica, Dr. Burnham, and the therapy staff (Luke and Joey )were awesome. I hope that you found hope now that if you got if you had a meniscus surgery in the past and youre dealing with these problems of swelling the pain the loss of motion please start doing this this taking this advice that i gave you start doing the exercises and get better it is possible to get that swelling down and to get your motion back and to recover and be normal. Therefore, any surgeon who performs ACL reconstruction should be well versed in performing a lateral meniscus root repair. (E) Horizontalized FlipCutter drill ready to drill 10-mm-deep tibial tunnel. And they can get back to normal in about two or three months after having the surgery. I have looked many times for answers on my tibial tubercle osteotomy and never found any as detailed as i needed. Your doctor put a lighted tubecalled an arthroscope or scopeand other surgical tools through small cuts (incisions) in your knee. The mini First-Pass device allows placement of either a suture or an UltraTape through the substance of the meniscus, capturing the end of the stitch as it is placed through the meniscus and then it can be pulled out of the joint. There are two ways to initiate a consultation with Dr. LaPrade: You can providecurrentX-rays and/or MRIs for a clinical case review with Dr. LaPrade. Definition/Description. Therefore, most meniscus root tears need to have the scar tissue released so the meniscus can be pulled back into the joint. For this reasons, it is crucial to identifiy and treat meniscal root tears in a timely manner. Studies have demonstrated that this type of repair technique restores similar shock-absorbing and cushioning function as normal meniscus before it tore. When the meniscus root becomes detached, the meniscus can extrude out of the joint and lead to effectively having no functional meniscus. For more information on meniscus root tears of the knee and meniscus root repair surgery, please contact the office of Benedict Nwachukwu, MD, orthopedic knee specialist serving Manhattan, New York City and the surrounding New York boroughs. Tuesday: 8:00 am 5:00 pm I am now adding 10 pounds a week to the bar for squats. Many patients do not have significant joint line pain like a typical meniscus tear, so having a patient stand up and squat down is often performed during the clinical exam to validate that the patient may have a meniscus root tear. Meniscus Root Repair; Meniscus Transplantation; Partial Meniscectomy; Patellofemoral Joint Repair. Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. (B) Posterior root lesion of lateral meniscus. The most common complication after a meniscus root repair is a re-tear. Controlling inflammation and swelling is still a key in this Phase, as increased motion without proper use of cooling therapy may put your meniscus at risk for re-injury. I was training one afternoon, and I noticed some swelling, not too much, but enough for me to start keeping an eye on it. Sutures are passed through the meniscus, and then pulled down into a bone tunnel located at the same site as the root attachment before it tore. Meniscus root tears are a particularly troublesome type of meniscus tear, because a failure to treat them can often result in the rapid development of osteoarthritis. If the lateral meniscus root tear is not repaired at the same time as an ACL reconstruction, it is now recognized that this could lead to ACL graft failure or loosening over time. These include 1-tunnel and 2-tunnel techniques. I am 5-months post surgery, and am doing great, stationary biking and exercising every day, no pain.You know you are seeing the best when you find out he has written over 500 medical journal articles - among many other accomplishments. My experience with Dr. Burnham and his staff was exceptional. There was also proliferative synovitis present throughout the patellofemoral joint, including the medial and lateral gutters. Normally, you should refrain from driving for at least 1 week after an arthroscopic knee operation, until the swelling reduces and the knee motion improves, but you should establish with your doctor when it is safe to start driving. Patient Testimonials - Meniscus Root Repair Everett | OCD Repair of the Knee Kirkland X Accessibility View Book An Appointment (206) 784-8833 Wallingford Office (206) 633-8100 Ballard Office (206) 784-8833 Home My Practice Practice Expertise Patient / Medical Resources Educational Resources Videos Radio/podcasts News Contact Dr. Garcia Facebook Partial weightbearing status (<50%), unless otherwise ordered by MD. At my third visit to PT, I was told that I had completely broken my PT protocol, and was better for it. He had knee surgery a few months ago and is recovering remarkably well. If scar tissue is present, Dr. Nwachukwu will clean up the area so the knee is allowed to move through its entire range of motion. I was hit by a car on my bicycle near Horsetooth Reservoir in CO. Please try again. This can occur with turning, twisting, or pivoting activities or sports. Historically, most root tears were treated with meniscectomies because the importance of the meniscus root as a shock absorber was not well known. Meniscal root avulsions are a challenging injury causing meniscal extrusion and loss of hoop stress distribution, which can lead to the development of knee arthritis.1 Securing the meniscus in a small bone socket has proven to be an effective means to restore hoop stresses and improve outcomes.2 The FlipCutter II reamer and meniscal root marking hook allow for a minimally invasive . The Steadman Clinic - Frisco, CO 226 Lusher Court Ste 101 Frisco, CO 80443. I press and bench with no modifications. Kyle D. Morgenstern, MD . Amazing doctor, amazing family mantreats patients with the highest level of care, compassion, and quality! I highly recommend him. One of the most common is in patients who may have some underlying arthritis and the arthritis is causing the pain or the arthritis has progressed further after the meniscus root repair. My daughter recovered fully from a total knee reconstruction and now she able to return to sports. It is felt that most meniscus root tear repairs are sufficiently healed to start these activities between 5 and 7 months postoperatively. MENISCAL ROOT REPAIR POST-OPERATIVE ORDERS . A possible cause for knee pain 1 year after meniscus surgery would be a re-tear of the meniscus. Weight bearing as tolerated after 6 weeks. I was told it would be about 6 weeks, but my instructions are to wear a brace at full extension for the duration of this time. When the meniscus root is repaired there will be a prolonged period of restricted weight bearing and range of motion to protect the