Treating Meniscal Tears

Meniscus Tear Injuries

Understanding What is a Meniscus Tear and Knee Pain 

There are 2 cushiony pieces of the cartilage connecting the femur and the tibia of each leg. This cartilage is called a meniscus (plural: menisci), and it is present in a pair in each knee joint. A meniscal tear occurs when the knee joint experiences a sudden, sharp movement.  At Florida OrthoCare it is important that patients we treat have a clear understanding of how its best for treating meniscal tears.

Because of the pressure and weight placed in the knee, the meniscus becomes progressively weaker, the older you get.

Meniscus tears are particularly common among sportsmen and women, sports that involve constant ‘stop-and-go’ movement being the most affected- American Football, Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, and Tennis, some of the main culprits.

Lifting heavy objects, dancing, anything that places pressure on your knee joints can cause a meniscus tear. Mundane acts like jumping up in excitement and landing awkwardly on one leg can cause a meniscus tear. Over half a million meniscus tears occur in the USA every year.

Signs of a Meniscus Tear

• Painful knee joints that are tender to the touch
• You may feel a popping sensation after the cartilage becomes dislodged.
• Swollen knee joints
• Your knee feels locked up. Inability to bend or straighten the affected leg.

A meniscus tear is diagnosed by a doctor combining physical exams, a knee X-ray, an MRI, and an Ultrasound. In complex cases your orthopedic doctor may perform a minimally invasive test, an arthroscopy to examine your knee joints more closely.

Treating Meniscal Tears at Florida OrthoCare 

1. Conventional Treatment

Meniscal tears can be treated conventionally with the RICE routine and pain management therapy. The RICE routine is:

• Rest Your Knees: You may be fitted with crutches to prevent aggravating the tear by placing weight on it.
• Ice:  Apply ice on the injured knee at intervals of three hours.
• Compression: Use a bandage to apply pressure on the knee, to reduce inflammation.
• Elevation: Keep your injured knee at, or above your heart level to reduce swelling.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may also be prescribed to combat the pain and help reduce the swelling and inflammation around the joint.

2. Surgery

Having an arthroscopic surgery may be the way to go if the tear of the meniscus is complicated, or the pain does not reduce after conventional treatment. The surgical procedure involves only a tiny incision on your knee, from which the orthopedic surgeon will attempt to repair your damaged meniscus. The surgical procedure generally lasts around an hour. And most patients are discharged on the same day.

3. Recovery

After surgery, you will be fitted with either a brace or crutches for up to 6 weeks, to avoid placing weight on the healing cartilages. It is recommended that you start physical therapy within a week of having surgery. The average recovery period for a meniscus tear is between 6-8 weeks. however, this is also influenced on your individual condition.