What does a menicus tear surgery involve?
Even a meniscus tear surgery of minimal invasion results in some limits to the post-surgical knee. To help understand this, I have included an instructive video describing the meniscus tear surgery.
In the video, the narrator does an excellent job of calling the “play by play” of the surgery. the objective of the surgeon is to create a stable edge for the cartilage to prevent future injury. That mean removing tissue.
Cartilage does not regenerate. Once removed, it’s gone from the body. There are some advances in medical sciences where there are reports of cartilage regenerative possibilities. But those are still in reports and trials.
Video, but not for the squeamish
The video below takes you through a meniscus tear surgery, similar to the one undergone by Jahlil Okafor.If you are squeamish, don’t click on the video.
You may note that the surgeon describes the patient in his mid-20’s and as a basketball player. But the outcomes of meniscus tear surgery are not as simple as you might think.
“Each patient healing process is unique to that patient” is a common phrase of orthopedic surgeons. And where the knee is concerned, it’s very true. Some patients heal completely. Others experience lingering pain.