This information is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor.
MedSelfEd, Inc. disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
Before we talk about treatment, let's start with a discussion about the human body and about your medical condition.
Your doctor has recommended that you have arthroscopic surgery in order to repair a torn meniscus in your knee. But what does that actually mean?
The knee is one of the most important and one of the most complex joints in your body.
It is made up of bone, ligament and cartilage. Damage to any individual part can dramatically restrict the normal movement of the leg and can even interfere with the ability to walk.
Let's take a look at the way the knee is put together. The femur, or thigh bone, meets the tibia to create a flexible joint called the knee.
Helping to stabilize the knee are flexible bands of tissue called ligaments.
Protecting the bony surfaces that rub together, are pads of tissue called cartilage.
Cartilage acts like a cushion. Without it, every time you bend at the knee, you would cause the major bones of the leg to grind together.
The meniscus is cartilage that not only protects the bone, but also acts like the leg's shock absorber.
Twisting or bending the knee during sports or even normal activity can damage the meniscus.
Symptoms include swelling, restricted movement, pain and even the inability to stand on the effected leg.
So make sure that you ask your doctor to carefully explain the reasons behind this recommendation.
