I got rid of the box for squats the end of July. Stated to me , in detail, what to expect and how long my recovery will take. 5 stars! Posterior horn medial meniscus root tears have been particularly noted to be a problem with a large number of patients developing arthritis rather quickly. 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. Meniscal Root Repair Kirkland | Meniscal Root Tear Seattle, Everett I am now adding 10 pounds a week to the bar for squats. 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 He provided a thorough explanation without wasting time. Super knowledgeable. Few tears will become. Meniscus Injury - Sports Medicine Research - Mayo Clinic What to do if I have a radial meniscus tear, what's the chance of it fully healing with surgery? El Paso, Texas 79903. The average pain levels after a meniscus root repair fit between a basic knee arthroscopy (minimal pain) and an ACL reconstruction (more severe pain). In recent years the importance of the meniscus root has become more apparent. Therefore, any surgeon who performs ACL reconstruction should be well versed in performing a lateral meniscus root repair. I would highly recommend him. This results in premature arthritis and cartilage damage in the knee. Single leg deadlifts on the good leg, reverse hypers, and dumbbell bench. 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. We are so grateful and thankful. And its really concerning and very disappointing for somebody whos gone through the knee surgery. I continued to lower the box for squats, and started to add weight. Meniscal root repair whether isolated or in combination with valgus HTO or ACL reconstruction, when indicated, was able to improve the clinical, functional and subjective results of the patients presented in this case series. His extensive schooling, research, and commitment to his craft shined through at every turn as he evaluated my injury, presented all my options (clearly explaining non-surgical options and expected outcomes), and helped me plan my course of treatment and recovery. Dr. Burnham and his staff were/are amazing. Amazing Doctor and wonderful staff!! Meniscus Tears: Why You Should Not Let Them Go Untreated What most people just don't get from their medical professionals is that the meniscus is a type of cartilage. What Is a Meniscectomy? - Healthline Takes his time with you and doesn't hurry to rush out of the room if you have questions. This was devastating news after being a top triathlete (3rd in the world in my age group in 1989 & 1st nationally in my age group) and a big marathon runner. The most common root repair technique is called a transtibial technique. 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. Physical therapy exercises can help to improve muscle strength, knee range of motion, and decrease sensitivity to the pain. 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. They might have a follow up visit or two but its really physical therapy that suppose take over at that point in physical therapy just has you for two to three months and once theyre done with you same thing once youre back to walking and bending your knee all the way and straightening out your knee all the way. Therefore, our surgical technique, using specific guides to avoid the eminences to ensure that one can place the guide exactly where one wants to have a cannula come out in the joint, using cannulas to allow for placement of passing sutures quickly and efficiently, having 2 separate cannulas with 2 separate tunnels for the meniscus repair, releasing the meniscus thoroughly to pull it back in the joint so it functions most effectively, and then having self-capture suture devices, which can place suture or tape into the meniscus substance, shuttle them down the tibia, and then tie them over a metal button on the tibia. This technique allows one to place passing stiches up the cannula, which has significantly decreased the operative time. Dr. Burnham is extremely professional, knowledgeable, understanding, kind, and precise. MENISCAL ROOT REPAIR POST-OPERATIVE ORDERS . Fortunately, this is usually done arthroscopically and with good results. 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. 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. And slowly, I started bending the knee more, and eventually took the box away from my bench. Following this 6 weeks, they begin weight bearing at 25% with crutches for 1 week, and then 75% weight bearing using 1 crutch for 1 additional week. My repair will be later this week on my right leg. Your care after surgery may involve: Crutches to take stress off the knee as it heals. Meniscus root tears usually occur in patients with deep flexion such as skiers, or home gardeners, plumbers, or carpet layers or people doing similar activities. MRI is used to look more closely at the meniscus and determine if it is something that needs surgical treatment, although not all meniscus root tears show up on MRI. The most important difference is that rehabilitation following a meniscal repair requires limiting early postoperative weight bearing and knee flexion beyond 90 degrees to . When Is Driving Safe After Rotator Cuff Repair? Torn Meniscus - Repair and Post Op Instructions 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. The left knee was feeling great up until about a year and a half ago, when I started noticing some pain. Studies have demonstrated that this type of repair technique restores similar shock-absorbing and cushioning function as normal meniscus before it tore. The general published success rate for a meniscus root repair is between 80% and 85%. Rehabilitation Following Meniscal Root Repair: A Clinical - JOSPT From April 22 until May 1, my program changed again, slowly becoming more like my regular training. Yet, if you feel discomfort, you can take over-the-counter pain medication. You will begin to focus on regaining your ROM and begin more in muscle strengthening. Eventually, as I get into the mid 100s again, I will start adding five pounds a week. The torn meniscus is corrected via a minimally invasive procedure depending on the kind of injury. I was worried for my future with my legs letting me walk but she put me at ease letting me know she will do everything in her power to fix me or send me to whatever specialist I need to see to make sure I have a good chance walking in my future, and they all truly fantastic doctors. In some instances, the meniscus posterior horn may need to be released from scar tissue to allow it to be repositioned. 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. Factors Affecting Meniscus Tear Healing and Prognosis AOSSM Lecture from Jeremy Burnham, Ochsner-Andrews Sports Medicine Institute, Copyright 2022Jeremy Burnham, M.D. There are some isolated reports of using suture anchors to repair a meniscus root repair, but this area of the knee is very difficult to access and the suture anchors can leave large knots which could subsequently interfere with the cartilage surfaces in the knee. You may need surgery to restore full knee function. In general, one can follow the small tunnels from the transtibial technique up to where the root attachment should be. I was also allowed to bear weight on my leg while in the brace, which meant no more seated presses. I was training one afternoon, and I noticed some swelling, not too much, but enough for me to start keeping an eye on it. Meniscal root repairs and radial tear repairs should be progressed slowly because the tear involves complete disruption of the circumferential fibers of the meniscus. This technique allows for the meniscus to be pulled down into a broad surface area, maximizing its chance for biologic healing. Progression of range of motion is more limited than for a standard meniscus root repair, usually limiting patients to 0-60 or 0-90 degrees range of motion for the first 4 weeks and then slowly increasing range of motion as tolerated. After about five minutes, the wheels were spinning. while avoiding unnecessary surgery, injections, and medications. My daughter injured her ankle in cross country practice and we were able to get in the next day to see Dr. Burnham. Definitely a Bakers Cyst, my doctor said when I saw him. After sutures are placed arthroscopically into the meniscal attachment, a small diameter tunnel, usually 5 millimeters in size, is reamed to the meniscal root attachment site, the sutures are pulled down the tunnel, and tied over a button on the anterior cortex of the tibia. The Smith & Nephew root repair technique involves specific devices which can lower ones surgical time to perform a meniscus root repair. This specific type of tear makes up 90% of all meniscal root tears. To learn more, please visit our, If it is your left knee, you can probably drive very shortly after. A meniscus can become damaged due to sudden trauma. As surgical techniques are being developed and refined, rehabilitation protocols for meniscal root repairs must be defined and tested. Nothing. Great doctor. Dr Garcia demonstrates his new meniscal extrusion technique - YouTube In cases the patients undergo meniscus repair or ligament reconstruction, they are given a brace to support the knee in full extension. In this procedure, the torn meniscus is sewn back together using arthroscopy to place small stitches. Definition/Description. The roots of the meniscus are responsible for transmitting weight evenly across the surface of the tibia. After repairing the meniscus root, it is imperative that the patient remain 100% non-weight bearing for 6 weeks. For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service. I have see all three orthopedic doctors at the Grove and Jerrica is the one I see the most and the latest she's absolutely wonderful. He had knee surgery a few months ago and is recovering remarkably well. The blood supply to the meniscus in an adolescent or adult is very poor. That means that the remaining meniscus is smaller, but still taking the same pressure. The most common method to fix meniscus root tears is through a tibial bone tunnel. A week later, I got my MRI results and I was told that this was going to be a very long recovery, but I had other plans. Dr. Ahmad M Hadied and another doctor agree, is on the left leg i let some patients Meniscus Surgery: Who Needs It, What to Expect Before & After If it is the right knee, the average time until the patient is able to drive is 6-9 weeks. When the meniscus root becomes detached, the meniscus can extrude out of the joint and lead to effectively having no functional meniscus. The length of time until patients are able to return to driving varies . Post Operative Knee Arthroscopy FAQs - Complete Orthopedics The thoughtful, open communication and treatment was everything I could have asked for pre-, during, and now post surgery. A meniscus root tear can occur due to a traumatic event or degeneration. HealthTap uses cookies to enhance your site experience and for analytics and advertising purposes. When one drills a tunnel and tries to place stitches up a tunnel without a cannula in place, it can be extremely technically challenging. He is walking without a limb and is on schedule with his progress. 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. % 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. The most common complication after a meniscus root repair is a re-tear. Realize that, as discussed above, the torn part of your meniscus was removed. Then I trained. Two cannulas are subsequently placed into the area of bone that was decorticated to allow for the transtibial 2-tunnel technique to be performed. This happens way more often than I like to admit. Being aware of the location of the meniscal attachments at the time of ACL and PCL surgeries is essential to minimize the chance of an iatrogenic root tear. Meniscus Repair Surgery Rehab Protocol & Recovery Time - Kevin R. 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I have no issues taking the stairs, just a little knee discomfort here and there. Therefore, we found that non-anatomic meniscus root tear repairs were not successful. I have now biked five to six days each week since my surgery. And I feel my rode to recovery will be wonderful. (B) Posterior root lesion of lateral meniscus. The meniscus is a cushion of the knee joint. We recognized that meniscus root tears were a problem over 10 years ago and set out to perform a comprehensive research program to help us figure out how to diagnose the problem, where to place the meniscus repair, and how best to fix the meniscus tear to allow for maximal healing capability. I consulted with SSC and DPT Darin Deaton prior to my surgery and then afterwards, when I discovered it had been a meniscus root repair. Early weightbearing has been found to be the cause of meniscus root repair failure, and this has been validated by our colleagues. I was very pleased seeing Dr. Burnham, however I was not pleased to learn I was expected to pay an additional co- pay within the same week to receive the results of my MRI. He spent a great amount of time explaining everything to me in a way that I understood everything. Oct 24, 2020. In some severe cases, they cant fully extend their knee out or bend their knee all the way. 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. #JimmyWinkfield is 1 of 5 men to win the prestigious twitter.com/i/web/status/1, What are #loosebodies in the #hip? Do minor meniscus tears require surgery or can it repair itself? Keeping each meniscus in place are two roots that attach to the tibia (shin bone). Thank you Dr. Burnham and Jerrica for everything! In particular, it has been found that one of the most common reasons why younger patients need total knee replacements is because of a neglected or undiagnosed meniscus root tear leading to the development of osteoarthritis. The menisci in the knee are two c-shaped pieces of fibrocartilage that act as shock absorbers. Also, I had to make numerous visits to the Ochsner Clinic due to my injury and Dr. Burnham's team and the staff at Ochsner were always very professional and courteous. Meniscus Root Tear | Orthopedic Knee Specialist | Vail, Aspen, Denver A meniscal repair is a keyhole surgery technique for repairing a ripped meniscus.. Is this normal? 2700 Vikings Circle According to a new study, it is safe for patients who underwent rotator cuff repair to safely return to driving two weeks after surgery. Eagan, MN 55121, I struggled with my knee for 18 months - having gone from 10,000 steps a day to only walking as needed. This is done to protect the repair and let the body heal it. My name is Dr. David Middaugh. I would recommend his services to anyone. Dr LaPrade performed a deep root repair to my meniscus, which saved me from a knee replacement at this time. He will now be caring for my hip and knee in the future. So its important at the very beginning its appropriate at the very beginning to make sure that all your emotions back and that you can do some simple walking to and from the house even though hurts so that youre not you know having accidents and better so youre not having emergencies happening you need the function of your leg back. W;5$u4Yxa_V_bm}q8=^_qbY,H(+",X'{|oMs"&A;3.E s&L=Z`)!]$],b }zb& Y@dy.Lif1:4@"Fz"U2`/h0|6^T&}56+Q:Dn{d:rqW@3 7 U. PDF Meniscal Root Repair Post-operative Rehabilitation Protocol Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other abusable medications. I did a little internet searching, and diagnosed myself with a Bakers Cyst, which I discovered was pretty common with meniscus tears. On Thursday, February 21, the day after my surgery, I went to work, in my brace and on crutches. To accomplish this goal, Dr. Nwachukwu drills a small hole from the outside of the tibia (shin bone) into the knee joint next to the natural attachment of the meniscus root. Well, this is not normal. Two weeks today I had meniscus root repair. Treatment Outcomes of Meniscal Root Tears: A Systematic Review Darin helped me understand that it was going to be a very slow recovery due to the nature of the surgery, and to be patient. Should a meniscus tear repair surgery be hurting 7 weeks post-operation? A meniscus that still has extrusion present also does not function as well over the long term. A surgical guide can then be placed in a drill tip where the cannula around it is placed into the area of the decorticated bone. Meniscal root repair is a procedure that is performed to stabilize a torn meniscus attachment to the tibia (shinbone). For these, please consult a doctor (virtually or in person). My 14 year old son originally went in to see Dr. Burnham very scared (he hadn't had an injury before) and he was instantly made to feel at ease. I can run, bike, & climb mountains. The sutures are anchored to the tibia in order to stabilize the meniscus root attachment. The most important aspect to assess when one is looking at a root repair is to ensure that ones cartilage surfaces are still fairly normal. The swelling started to go down, but there was now a lump behind my knee that felt like fluid. How long did you have to avoid driving after meniscus surgery? Right Knee Surgery After Auto Bicycle Accident, Medical Second Opinion Service MRI/X-ray Review. The next step involves using a self-capture device to place either sutures or tape into the substance of the meniscus body. Often the best medicine to take is NSAIDs like naproxen and ibuprofen. . The meniscus root is where the meniscus attaches to bone. Often, a patient will be placed into an unloader brace if they are bowlegged to take some of the stress off the healing repair. The steps in a meniscus root repair are very intricate and our biomechanical studies have validated that the steps are essential. Iatrogenic meniscus root tears have been described for all 4 meniscal attachments in the knee. I would recommend his service to any recreational athlete. Meniscus (cartilage) Repair patients cannot do twisting, pivoting, squatting, deep knee bends or impact activities for four months. Edina, MN 55435, EAGAN-VIKING LAKES OFFICE I had a traumatic knee injury that he performed surgery on. We have published on several of these, noting that a PCL tunnel which is placed too close to the joint can detach the posterior horn of the medial meniscus and lead to the development of arthritis of the medial compartment. Kyle D. Morgenstern, MD . Thus, these patients can often have early onset arthritis, the development of bony edema, insufficiency fractures, and the failure of concurrent cruciate ligament reconstruction grafts. Multiple large loose bodies were removed from my knee joint, the largest of which measured approximately 20mm. He is amazing and a blessing to have in the medical industry. Many meniscus tears can be treated successfully without surgery. Thank you Dr. Burnham for being so amazing! It has been found that one suture alone for the repair does not work well, so a minimum of 2 sutures is required to maximize meniscal healing. A Guide to Orthopedic Care, Pediatric & Adolescent Sports Medicine Injuries, Get the Perfect Grip on Your Next Game: Adaptive Golf Gloves, Healthcare Journal of Baton Rouge Mentions Dr. Burnham Performing New Surgery to Repair Torn ACL, Sports Medicine Near Me: Finding the Right Doctor for You, When to See a Doctor for Knee Pain When Bending: The Complete Guide, 11 Benefits of Exercise: It Can Change Your Life, Knee Bursitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options, Your Childs Knocked Knees: Everything You Need to Know, BioUni OATS Procedure Cartilage Replacement for the Knee, Capsulorraphy Shoulder Stabilization Procedure. Dr Burnham is so personable. Medial Patellofemoral Ligament (MPFL) Reconstruction . The knee buckled and I thought, Shit. I highly recommend him. 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. My daughter journey was very trying and hard but we made it through with all of their help. Most patients will also have some numbness around the surgical incision, but this is not a true complication and is anticipated with any type of surgical incision. And the good news is that it can be helped without another surgery. When the tear is examined during arthroscopy, Dr. Hess will decide if the tear is able to be repaired . PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these the BoneSmart view on exercise BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy 5. The . My wait time for office visits has always been less than 10 minutes. Dr. Burnham took time to explain the surgery & what to expect during recovery, answering all my questions (& there were many). Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. The pain during my recovery has actually only been minimal, requiring no pain meds. They have poor healing potential, and are extremely important to the stability and cushioning of the knee. Easy to talk to and will answer any questions of your care. If you had a knee surgery if youve been seen physical therapy or any other health care professionals and theyre telling you youll be fine in three months back to normal youll be dancing youll be exercising youll be playing with the grandkids again just smile and remember this video. The back attachment of the medial meniscus, called a posterior horn attachment, is the most common location for meniscus root tears to occur. Please try again. drive the next day if they feel ok. Recommend highly. Arner, J.W., Herbst, E.. Meniscal Root Repair Article. My day is pretty much elevate the leg, ice the leg, do the exercises permitted twice a day. 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. Very thorough, knowledgeable and courteous. We are so grateful for you both! Dr. Benedict Nwachukwu, orthopedic knee surgeon has extensive experience in treating meniscus root tears and can help patients in Manhattan, Brooklyn, New York City and the surrounding New York boroughs. It helps to be strong, my PT remarked. Timeline for Meniscus Repair Recovery: It will take around 4-6 weeks before you can walk, drive, and otherwise move normally as you would prior to your injury. Therefore, most meniscus root tears need to have the scar tissue released so the meniscus can be pulled back into the joint. Therefore, we then looked at surgical techniques and due to the fact that we had multiple second look arthroscopies after bone grafting for ACL reconstructions with meniscus root tears, that the 1-tunnel technique had more of a spot welding healing of the meniscus to bone whereas the 2-tunnel meniscus root repair technique had a much better healing surface of the meniscus to bone.