Meniscus injuries are common among athletes and people who engage in physical activities that require sudden stops or turns. The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage that acts as a cushion between the thighbone and shinbone.

It provides stability to the knee joint and acts as a shock absorber during movement. However, when the meniscus is torn, it can cause pain, swelling, and limited mobility. Meniscus surgery is often recommended to repair or remove the damaged tissue.

While the procedure can alleviate symptoms, recent studies suggest that it may increase the risk of arthritis development.

The link between meniscus surgery and arthritis development

Meniscus surgery is a common procedure, with over 700,000 surgeries performed annually in the United States. There are two main types of meniscus surgery: partial meniscectomy and meniscus repair.

Partial meniscectomy involves removing the torn section of the meniscus, while meniscus repair involves stitching the torn meniscus back together.

While these procedures can improve knee function and reduce pain in the short term, recent studies suggest that meniscus surgery may increase the risk of arthritis development in the long term.

One study published in the journal Orthopedics found that patients who underwent meniscus surgery had an increased risk of developing arthritis compared to those who did not have surgery.

The study followed 619 patients with meniscus tears for 13 years and found that patients who had meniscus surgery had a higher risk of developing symptomatic osteoarthritis compared to those who did not have surgery.

Symptomatic osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that causes pain, stiffness, and limited mobility in the joints.

Another study published in the journal Sports Health found that patients who underwent meniscus surgery were more likely to develop knee osteoarthritis compared to those who did not have surgery.

The study followed 135 patients for up to 20 years after their surgery and found that patients who had meniscus surgery had a higher risk of developing knee osteoarthritis.

Why does meniscus surgery increase the risk of arthritis development?

The exact reason why meniscus surgery increases the risk of arthritis development is not fully understood. However, there are several theories:.

Removing part of the meniscus can alter the biomechanics of the knee joint, putting more stress on the remaining cartilage. Over time, this increased stress can lead to cartilage damage and arthritis.
Meniscus surgery can cause damage to the knee joint, which can lead to inflammation and cartilage damage.
Meniscus surgery can disrupt the blood supply to the meniscus, which can lead to further degeneration of the tissue.

Alternative treatments for meniscus injuries

While meniscus surgery is often recommended for meniscus injuries, there are alternative treatments that may be effective in reducing pain and improving knee function:.

Physical therapy: Strengthening the muscles around the knee can reduce stress on the meniscus and improve knee function.
Bracing: A knee brace can provide support to the knee and reduce stress on the meniscus.
Injections: Corticosteroid or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections can reduce inflammation and promote healing of the meniscus.

However, it is important to note that these treatments may not be effective for all patients and the decision to undergo surgery should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider.

Conclusion

Meniscus surgery is a common procedure to treat meniscus injuries, and while it can improve knee function and reduce pain in the short term, recent studies suggest that it may increase the risk of arthritis development in the long term.

Patients who undergo meniscus surgery should be aware of this potential risk and follow a rehabilitation program to strengthen the muscles around the knee and reduce the risk of further knee damage. Alternative treatments, such as physical therapy and bracing, may also be effective in reducing pain and improving knee function. However, the decision to undergo surgery should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider.