Your knees are amazing joints. They carry you through life, whether you’re walking along the Embarcadero, hiking in the Marin Headlands, or just getting up from a chair. But all that activity can take a toll, especially on the soft tissues that cushion and stabilize the knee. When this tissue is damaged, it can cause significant pain and limit your ability to enjoy your life.
At California Pacific Orthopaedics, our team of expert knee specialists in San Francisco is dedicated to helping you get back on your feet. We specialize in advanced, minimally invasive procedures to repair and treat damage to the knee’s cartilage and meniscus. This guide will walk you through the basics of these surgeries, helping you understand your options and what to expect on your journey to recovery.
Overview of Knee Cartilage and Meniscus Surgery
Inside your knee joint, you have two important types of soft tissue:
- Articular Cartilage: This is the smooth, white tissue that covers the ends of your bones (the femur, tibia, and patella). It’s like the Teflon on a frying pan, allowing the bones to glide smoothly against each other with very little friction.
- Meniscus: You have two menisci in each knee (the medial and lateral meniscus). These are C-shaped pieces of tough, rubbery cartilage that act as shock absorbers between your shinbone (tibia) and thighbone (femur). They also help to stabilize the knee.
An injury, or sometimes just the wear and tear of daily life, can cause this cartilage to tear. When this happens, you might experience pain, swelling, and a feeling that your knee is “catching” or “locking.”
Meniscus and cartilage surgery are procedures designed to address these problems. The goal is to either repair the torn tissue or remove the damaged pieces that are causing your symptoms. Most often, these surgeries are performed arthroscopically. This is a minimally invasive technique where your surgeon makes a few small incisions around your knee and inserts a tiny camera (called an arthroscope) and small surgical instruments. This allows our San Francisco-based orthopedic surgeons to see inside your knee and perform the surgery with precision, leading to less pain and a faster recovery compared to traditional open surgery.
The two most common types of arthroscopic knee surgery for cartilage and meniscus tears are:
- Arthroscopic Meniscus Repair: When possible, our surgeons will stitch the torn pieces of the meniscus back together. This is more common in younger patients and with tears that are in a part of the meniscus that has a good blood supply, which is necessary for healing.
- Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy: This is the most common type of meniscus surgery. In this procedure, the surgeon trims away and removes the torn, unstable fragments of the meniscus, leaving a smooth, stable rim of healthy tissue.
For damage to the articular cartilage, there are several restorative options, such as microfracture (creating small holes in the bone to stimulate new cartilage growth) or cartilage transplantation. Your surgeon will discuss the best option for your specific situation.
Why is Knee Cartilage or Meniscus Surgery Done?
You and your doctor might decide that surgery is the best option if you are experiencing symptoms that don’t improve with conservative treatments like rest, ice, and physical therapy. The primary reasons for undergoing knee cartilage or meniscus surgery include:
- Persistent Pain: A torn piece of cartilage can irritate the lining of the knee joint, causing persistent pain, especially when you twist your knee or put weight on it.
- Mechanical Symptoms: If a piece of torn cartilage is floating in the joint, it can get caught, causing the knee to lock, catch, or make a popping sound.
- Instability: Damage to the meniscus can make the knee feel unstable, as if it’s going to “give way.”
- Swelling and Stiffness: Chronic inflammation and swelling are common with cartilage and meniscus tears, limiting your knee’s range of motion.
- Return to Activity: For athletes and active individuals in the Bay Area, surgery can be the key to returning to the sports and activities they love without pain or instability.
The decision to have surgery will be made after a thorough evaluation by one of our knee specialists, which will likely include a physical examination and an MRI to get a clear picture of the inside of your knee.
What to Expect: Before, During, and After Your Procedure
Knowing what to expect can help you feel more comfortable and prepared for your surgery. Here’s a general overview of the process at California Pacific Orthopaedics.
Before the Procedure
Your journey begins with a consultation with one of our top-rated San Francisco orthopedic surgeons. During this visit, we will:
- Review your medical history and symptoms.
- Perform a physical examination of your knee.
- Look at your imaging studies (X-rays and MRI).
- Discuss your treatment options and answer all of your questions.
Once you and your surgeon have decided to proceed with surgery, our team will provide you with detailed pre-operative instructions. This will include information about when to stop eating and drinking, what medications to take, and arranging for someone to drive you home after the procedure.
During the Procedure
On the day of your surgery, you will come to one of our state-of-the-art facilities in San Francisco. You will be given anesthesia to ensure you are comfortable and pain-free during the procedure.
The surgery itself is usually quite quick, often taking about 30 minutes to an hour. Your surgeon will perform the arthroscopic procedure, either repairing or trimming the damaged cartilage as planned. Because the incisions are so small, they will be closed with just a few stitches and covered with a small bandage.
After the Procedure
Recovery from arthroscopic knee surgery is much faster than with traditional open surgery. Here’s a general timeline:
- Immediately After: You will be able to go home the same day. Your knee will be wrapped in a soft bandage, and you may be given crutches to use for a short time. We will provide you with a plan to manage any post-operative pain, which usually involves a combination of rest, ice, elevation, and pain medication.
- The First Few Weeks: Your recovery will depend on the type of surgery you had.
- For a partial meniscectomy, you can often start putting weight on your knee right away and can expect to be back to most of your normal activities within 3 to 6 weeks.
- For a meniscus repair, the recovery is a bit longer, as the repaired tissue needs time to heal. You will likely use crutches and wear a brace for about 4 to 6 weeks to protect the repair.
- Physical Therapy: Rehabilitation is a critical part of your recovery. Our team will work with you to develop a personalized physical therapy plan to help you regain your strength, flexibility, and range of motion. Consistent participation in your physical therapy program is the best way to ensure a successful outcome.
- Returning to Full Activity: Most patients are able to return to their desired level of activity, including sports, within a few months. Your surgeon and physical therapist will guide you on a safe return to your activities.
Your Knee Health is Our Priority
Living with knee pain can be debilitating. If you are experiencing symptoms of a cartilage or meniscus tear, the expert team at California Pacific Orthopaedics is here to help. We are proud to serve the San Francisco community, offering the most advanced and effective treatments to get you moving again.
