My name is Tony Richards and when I turned 40 years old I began having unusual health symptoms including a powerful thirst and numbness in my hands. I went to see my doctor and after running tests he determined that I had diabetes. My doctor prescribed medicine for my condition and he also told me to make some lifestyle changes or the diabetes would get worse. I didn't want that to happen so I began researching ways to control diabetes. After implementing these ideas, my condition actually got better and I was able to reduce the amount of medication I was taking. If your doctor has diagnosed you with diabetes, it's very beneficial for you to read my blog so your condition doesn't worsen. I hope that by following this blog, it will help you to control your diabetes too.
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If you have injured your meniscus in some way, then this means that you have torn or damaged the c- or horseshoe-shaped disc that sits inside the knee joint. This disc helps to cushion the joint, so it is extremely important when it comes to ensuring the proper function and movement of your knee. Damage can sometimes heal on its own if it is minor, but sometimes a surgical operation is required. There are several types of knee surgery that may be planned, so keep reading to learn what they are.
Meniscectomy
If the injured or damaged part of the meniscus is causing pain, swelling, and general discomfort, then the injured part of the disc may be removed from the knee. This occurs during a meniscectomy. The procedure is a minimally invasive one where small incisions are made in the knee and a camera is inserted into the incision. The camera helps your surgeon locate the damaged portion of the disc and it is then cut away with the assistance of small tools. This type of surgery is called an arthroscopic one and it is minimally invasive. This helps to reduce scar tissue.
Meniscus Repair
If a tear is noted along the meniscus and the damage is noted on the outer edge of the disc, then it is possible to repair the damage instead of removing the torn cartilage. This is what happens during a meniscus repair. When a repair is completed, your surgeon can use an arthroscope, much in the same way that the removal surgery is completed. To repair the tear in the disc, your surgeon will use one of several devices. Sutures, tacks, and a specific meniscus repair device may be used in the process.
You should understand that a repair cannot be completed if an internal or deep tear is noted. These types of tears will not receive the blood flow they need to heal properly, so a meniscus transplant may be advisable. This procedure is minimally invasive like the other types of meniscus repairs. However, the entire disc is released and replaced with donor cartilage instead of being repaired.
Almost all meniscus surgeries are completed in a way that arthritic conditions can be minimized in the future. This is one reason why different surgical methods are explored depending on the severity of your condition as well as factors like your age, weight, and activity level. While the vast majority of the meniscus procedures are successful, you will likely need to engage in some rehabilitation after the operation.