Meniscus Surgery
Steps Involved in IVF:
Procedure Description
Meniscus surgery typically involves arthroscopy, a minimally invasive surgical technique where small incisions are made around the knee to insert a camera (arthroscope) and specialized instruments. The surgeon visualizes the inside of the knee joint on a monitor, which allows for a more precise and targeted approach to treating the meniscus tear.
There are two main types of meniscus surgery: meniscectomy and meniscus repair. A meniscectomy involves removing the damaged portion of the meniscus. This is usually recommended when the tear occurs in the inner portion of the meniscus, where blood supply is limited and healing is unlikely. The damaged tissue is carefully trimmed away, leaving the remaining healthy meniscus to continue its cushioning function.
On the other hand, a meniscus repair is performed when the tear occurs in the outer edge of the meniscus, an area that receives better blood flow, allowing for the possibility of natural healing. The surgeon uses sutures or specialized devices to stitch the tear, facilitating recovery without the need for removing the damaged portion. This method is often preferred in younger, more active patients, as it preserves the integrity of the meniscus.
Both procedures are typically outpatient surgeries, meaning patients can go home the same day. The choice between meniscectomy and meniscus repair depends on various factors, including the location and severity of the tear, the patient’s age, and their activity level.
Procedure Duration
Meniscus surgery generally takes between 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the complexity of the tear and the specific procedure being performed. For meniscus repair, which involves stitching the tissue, the surgery may take slightly longer than a meniscectomy.
The surgery is usually performed under regional anesthesia, where the patient remains awake but the knee area is numbed. Alternatively, general anesthesia may be used depending on patient preference or medical advice.
Recovery Phases:
- Immediate Post-Operative Phase (1-2 weeks): The initial recovery involves managing pain and inflammation. Patients are encouraged to rest, apply ice, and elevate the knee. Crutches are often used to avoid putting weight on the affected leg.
- Early Recovery Phase (2-6 weeks): During this phase, physical therapy plays a crucial role in regaining strength, flexibility, and range of motion. The length of this phase depends on the type of surgery. Meniscectomy recovery tends to be faster, while meniscus repair requires a longer, more careful recovery process to protect the sutures.
- Full Recovery (3-6 months): For most patients, full recovery after a meniscus repair may take up to six months, while a meniscectomy typically allows for a return to full activity in 4 to 6 weeks. However, adherence to a structured rehabilitation program is essential for both procedures to ensure long-term success.
Benefits
- Pain Relief: Meniscus surgery provides significant relief from knee pain, allowing patients to return to their normal daily activities.
- Improved Mobility: The procedure restores knee function, enabling better range of motion and flexibility.
- Minimally Invasive: Arthroscopic surgery involves small incisions, resulting in less scarring, quicker recovery, and reduced risk of complications.
- Increased Joint Stability: By repairing or removing the damaged meniscus, knee stability is enhanced, reducing the risk of further injury.
- Prevention of Long-term Damage: Early surgical intervention can prevent the development of osteoarthritis, a common consequence of untreated meniscus tears.
Potential Destinations
For those considering meniscus surgery abroad, several countries offer world-class orthopedic care combined with lower costs and high-quality outcomes. Here are five potential destinations:
- Turkey: Known for its advanced medical facilities and highly skilled orthopedic surgeons, Turkey is a popular destination for medical tourists seeking affordable yet top-tier meniscus surgery.
- India: With its extensive network of accredited hospitals and experienced surgeons, India offers affordable surgery options with internationally recognized standards of care. Many patients travel here for orthopedic procedures, benefiting from lower costs without compromising quality.
- Thailand: Renowned for its medical tourism infrastructure, Thailand provides excellent orthopedic care with the added benefit of luxury recovery settings. Its hospitals are equipped with the latest technology for minimally invasive meniscus surgery.
- Mexico: Located close to North America, Mexico offers convenient and cost-effective options for meniscus surgery, attracting patients from the U.S. and Canada. Many facilities here are staffed by U.S.-trained surgeons, ensuring high standards of care.
- Spain: With its state-of-the-art facilities and strong reputation for orthopedic surgeries, Spain offers a combination of high-quality care and cultural appeal. Its hospitals attract patients from across Europe seeking expert treatment at lower costs.
Risks & Considerations
Like any surgical procedure, meniscus surgery comes with certain risks and considerations that patients should be aware of before deciding to undergo the procedure:
- Infection: As with any surgery, there is a small risk of infection, particularly around the incision site. Strict hygiene and post-operative care are critical to reducing this risk.
- Blood Clots: The risk of developing blood clots in the leg (deep vein thrombosis) can occur after surgery, especially if mobility is limited. Early movement and prescribed blood thinners help mitigate this risk.
- Stiffness or Reduced Range of Motion: Some patients may experience knee stiffness or a reduced range of motion during the recovery process. Physical therapy is essential to regain full movement.
- Meniscus Re-tear: In the case of meniscus repair, there is a possibility of the meniscus re-tearing, particularly if post-operative care instructions, such as avoiding high-impact activities, are not followed.
- Arthritis: Even after meniscus surgery, some patients may develop osteoarthritis in the knee later in life, particularly if significant portions of the meniscus were removed.
How to Choose the Right Doctor and Hospital
Choosing the right surgeon and medical facility for meniscus surgery is a crucial step in ensuring a successful outcome. Patients should look for doctors who specialize in orthopedic surgery with a focus on sports injuries or joint repair. It’s advisable to research the surgeon’s experience, credentials, and success rates for meniscus procedures.
When selecting a hospital, patients should ensure the facility is equipped with modern technology for minimally invasive surgeries like arthroscopy. It’s also beneficial to choose a hospital that offers comprehensive post-operative care, including access to physical therapists and rehabilitation programs. For international medical tourists, facilities with strong reputations for medical tourism are a good choice, offering packages that include surgery, accommodation, and follow-up care.
To receive a free quote for this procedure please click on the link: https://www.medicaltourism.com/get-a-quote
Patients are advised to seek hospitals that are accredited by Global Healthcare and only work with medical tourism facilitators who are certified by Global Healthcare Accreditation or who have undergone certification from the Certified Medical Travel Professionals (CMTP). This ensures that the highest standards in the industry are met. GHA accredits the top hospitals in the world. These are the best hospitals in the world for quality and providing the best patient experience. Click the link to check out hospitals accredited by the Global Healthcare Accreditation: https://www.globalhealthcareaccreditation.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What actually happens during hyperstimulation of the ovaries?
The patient will take injectable FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) for eight to eleven days, depending on how long the follicles take to mature. This hormone is produced naturally in a woman’s body causing one egg to develop per cycle. Taking the injectable FSH causes several follicles to develop at once, at approximately the same rate. The development is monitored with vaginal ultrasounds and following the patient’s levels of estradiol and progesterone. FSH brand names include Repronex, Follistim, Menopur, Gonal-F and Bravelle. The patient injects herself daily.
What happens during egg retrieval?
When the follicles have developed enough to be harvested, the patient attends an appointment where she is anesthetized and prepared for the procedure. Next, the doctor uses an ultrasound probe to guide a needle through the vaginal wall and into the follicle of the ovary. The thin needle draws the follicle fluid, which is then examined by an embryologist to find the eggs. The whole process takes about 20 minutes.
What happens to the eggs?
In the next step, the harvested eggs are then fertilized. If the sperm from the potential father, or in some cases, anonymous donor, has normal functionality, the eggs and sperm are placed together in a dish with a nutrient fluid, then incubated overnight to fertilize normally. If the sperm functionality is suboptimal, an embryologist uses Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection to inject a single sperm into a single egg with an extremely precise glass needle. Once fertilization is complete, the embryos are assessed and prepared to be transferred to the patient’s uterus.
How are the embryos transferred back to the uterus?
The doctor and the patient will discuss the number of embryos to be transferred. The number of successfully fertilized eggs usually determines the number of eggs to be placed in the uterus. Embryos are transferred to the uterus with transabdominal ultrasound guidance. This process does not require anesthesia, but it can cause minor cervical or uterine discomfort. Following transfer, the patient is advised to take at least one days bed rest and two or three additional days of rest, then 10 to 12 days later, two pregnancy tests are scheduled to confirm success. Once two positive tests are completed, an obstetrical ultrasound is ordered to show the sac, fetal pole, yolk sac and fetal heart rate.
Embryoscope©
Built into this technology there is a microscope with a powerful camera that allows the uninterrupted monitoring of the embryo during its first hours of life. In this way, we can keep a close eye on the embryo, from the moment when the oocyte is inseminated and begins to divide into smaller and smaller cells, until it can be transferred to the uterus.
Orthopedics Stem Cell
Knee
Research on mesenchymal stem cells regenerative properties in knee osteoarthritis. In these studies, researchers suggest that Stem Cell Therapy has the potential to regenerate lost cartilage, stop and reverse cartilage degeneration, provide pain relief, and improve patient mobility.
Shoulder
Stem Cell Therapy as an Alternative to Rotator Cuff & Shoulder Replacement Surgery. Stem cell therapy may offer an excellent alternative for patients looking to avoid shoulder joint replacement surgery, as well as many other surgical treatments for shoulder pain.
Ankle
If you suffer from chronic or acute ankle pain or instability due to arthritis, cartilage loss, ligament strain or tear, or tendon damage, then you may benefit from non-surgical stem cell treatments or stem cell-enhanced surgery.
Back Pain
Patients now have a minimally invasive option. Stem cell therapy for back pain and disc herniations can potentially repair the damaged disc or facet joint, restore function, rehydrate the disc, and ultimately alleviate chronic pain.
Anti-Aging Stem Cell
Hair Loss
Stem cell therapy and PRP therapy have been shown to be most effective for: Those in the early stages of hair loss, patients who are not viable candidates for surgery and women who prefer to avoid hair surgery.
Facial Anti-Aging
Aesthetic Anti-Aging. The Aesthetic Stem Cell Localized Treatment is a non-surgical minimally invasive procedure to enhance the appearance of aging skin and hair restoration. This all-natural technique combines dermal injections of bone marrow or adipose tissue derived stem cells and growth factors.
Fertility Stem Cell
Endometrial PRP
The stem cells used for treatment of a thin endometrium include mesenchymal stem cells. In addition, successful repair of the endometrium in pregnancy with stem cells has been reported previously.
Low Ovarian Reserve (PRP)
The treatment uses PRP (Platelet-Rich-Plasma), which with stem cell therapy is the novel therapeutic approach for restoring the quality of the ovarian reserve.Your PRP will contain a physiologic balance of platelets, growth factors and white blood cells tailored specifically for you.
Punta Mita Hospital
Mexico
Punta Mita Hospital - Genesis Cell
Mexico
