Osteoarthritis and knee injuries are among the most common of reasons to undergo knee surgery. The knee is the largest joint in the body and bears the most weight and pressure, which can make it the joint most prone to pain and damage. If you are experiencing chronic knee pain, it’s possible you may need to have some form of knee surgery. There are several different types of knee surgeries, depending on the location, size, and intensity of joint, ligament, or tissue damage.
Here are some of the most common types of knee surgeries and procedures that are performed today.
1. Meniscus Repair
A meniscus repair is a surgical procedure for a damaged meniscus. When successful, meniscus repair can restore the knee’s anatomy and has a long-term prognosis. Meniscus repair is a significant surgery with a recovery time of anywhere between 4-6 weeks, or even 3 months until a patient is able to participate in any sports or activities. However, meniscus repair is not always possible because of limited blood supply.
2. Meniscectomy
A meniscectomy involves removing a portion of the meniscus cartilage from the knee joint. The meniscus is a cushion of cartilage between the bone that absorbs shock and provides support. During this procedure, the smaller tears on the meniscus can be trimmed to relieve the painful symptoms associated with a torn meniscus. Recovery time is typically between 4-6 weeks.
3. Plica Excision
In early development, your knee is divided into separate sections, or compartments. Over time, the dividers gradually disappear, and some of the more prominent remnants of tissue can remain. These remnants are called plica. Plica syndrome occurs when the plica is irritated, and a plica resection or excision may be necessary to eliminate pain. This procedure usually takes 20 minutes to 40 minutes to perform, and patients are released from the hospital the same day as the operation.
4. Meniscus Transplant
A meniscus transplant consists of replacing an individual’s missing or damaged meniscus with the meniscus of a donor patient. Meniscus transplantation is performed when the removal of the entire meniscus causes consistent knee pain. This surgery takes place under anesthesia, and patients need to wear a knee brace and use crutches for the first 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.
5. ACL Reconstruction
The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, is one of four major ligaments in the knee. The ACL is necessary for knee stability, so a damaged or torn ACL can cause the knee to weaken, causing great pain and issues with mobility. Injuries to the ACL are typically associated with sports but can also affect people during their daily activities. ACL Reconstruction is an outpatient procedure, and the operation takes less than two hours. You may expect to spend three to four hours at the surgery center between checking in, anesthesia, operation, and recovery time.
6. Microfracture
A microfracture is a surgical technique performed arthroscopically to heal a knee joint’s internal damaged cartilage. Once the surgeon assesses the damage, unstable cartilage is removed from the exposed bone and microfractures are made in the bone about 3mm to 4mm apart. From the holes in the exposed bone, bone marrow cells and blood combine to form a clot that covers and cushioned the damaged area, forming new tissue. Initially, the microfracture technique produces a rough bone surface for the clot to adhere to more easily. The clot, however, eventually matures into a firmer repair tissue, creating a more smooth and durable surface. Recovery time for the microfracture treatment varies based on the location and amount of the damage, the size of the defect, and previous procedures. Limited strength training begins immediately after surgery, and it is highly recommended the patient works with a physical therapist for a more specific rehabilitation program.
7. Partial Knee Replacement
A partial knee replacement, also called a unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure used to relieve arthritis in one of the three compartments of the damaged knee. This means that if only a small portion or one compartment of the knee joint is damaged or has limited cartilage loss, that damaged compartment can be replaced without the entire knee being replaced. The three compartments of the knee are the medial, lateral, and patellofemoral, and any one of these compartments can be replaced during a partial knee replacement. Operative and recovery times varies depending on the damage and repairs performed. However, those who have partial knee replacement surgery recover more quickly than those who have a total knee replacement. Though many are able to walk on their own within 4-6 weeks post-surgery, patients will need physical therapy for 4-6 months.
8. Total Knee Replacement Surgery
Knee replacement surgery, or arthroplasty, is one of the most common surgeries performed in the United States. The need for total knee replacement surgery can be caused by osteoarthritis, trauma, or injury to the knee. During knee replacement surgery, the bone and cartilage on the top of the tibia and bottom of the femur are removed. Essentially, the knee is replaced with artificial parts. A patient can have an off-the-shelf or customized implant placed as the new knee joint. Knee replacements are 90% successful, with good long-term results reported by patients. This operation takes 1-2 hours and patients may stay in the hospital from 1-4 days post-surgery to recover. After released from the hospital, patients begin physical therapy immediately. Rehabilitation time varies based on the patient’s health and motivation to recover.
At Empire Surgical Products, we are dedicated to improving the lives of surgeons and patients by providing innovative orthopedic devices that allow us to better serve our community. If you need help finding the best surgeon for you in the New York or Westchester areas, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.