New video: Arthroscopic knee meniscectomy to remove torn meniscus

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A meniscus tear can be a painful knee condition to withstand. Most typically, torn meniscus symptoms include stiffness and swelling in the knee, leading to pain while standing or walking. Meniscus tears usually occur due to a sudden twist or rotation to the knee. One of our recent patients, James Matarazzo, had a severe meniscus tear that caused him pain and discomfort in the knee. When he first spoke with Dr. Tehrany, he explained that he had been experiencing stiffness and swelling in the knee. As an experienced knee specialist, Dr. Tehrany recognized the meniscus tear. After the MRI scans, he confirmed his initial diagnosis. The patient had a meniscus tear in his left knee. The meniscus is rubbery cartilage that provides cushioning within the knee between the shinbone and thighbone. Sometimes, an injury to the meniscus can resolve on its own. However, due to the level of complication in this patient, Dr. Tehrany recommended proceeding with an arthroscopic knee meniscectomy to remove the torn meniscus pieces. For educational purposes, Dr. Tehrany recorded the procedure with the patient’s consent.
 

Arthroscopic knee meniscectomy to remove the meniscus

While surgical treatment can often repair the meniscus, in some situations, the size or location of the tear will not allow it. Additionally, age may be a critical factor in determining whether to repair or completely remove the meniscus. When deciding how to proceed with a meniscus tear, Dr. Tehrany considers all factors to provide the patient with the most effective treatment procedure.
“If I know in my heart that by doing a repair it is not going to hold, it is going to fail, and I am going to have to bring the patient back, I will not do it,” explained Dr. Tehrany in the video.
Based on his experience and knowledge, Dr. Tehrany knew that performing a partial knee meniscectomy will only have short-term results. Therefore, he decided to proceed with a complete medial meniscectomy. During the procedure, he cut away the torn meniscus edges to create a more stable rim. Moreover, he cleared away damaged cartilage from the underside of the knee through a process known as debridement. Dr. Tehrany performed this procedure with the assistance of his Physical Assistant, Stephen Bouskila. James experienced immediate relief from the pain and swelling caused by the meniscus tear with their combined efforts. If you experience similar symptoms, be sure to schedule an appointment with Dr. Armin Tehrany to get to the bottom of your pain!