Meniscus tear treatment
If your knee suddenly feels weak or painful, Montage Orthopedics and Sports Medicine can help. Our doctors can find out if you have a torn meniscus and recommend the best treatment.
What is a torn meniscus?
A torn meniscus is a common knee injury. Nearly 1 million people in the U.S. get this injury every year. It happens when you twist or turn your knee too hard while putting weight on it.
Types of meniscus tears
Meniscus tears can be different based on how they happen and how bad they are.
Traumatic tears
Traumatic tears happen during sports or intense movement. They can happen if you twist your knee suddenly. Squatting or making fast knee movements can also cause a tear.
Degenerative tears
Degenerative tears happen over time. They are caused by aging and wear and tear. If not treated, they can lead to arthritis and long-term pain. These tears may not cause pain right away. They get worse slowly.
A degenerative meniscus tear can happen due to:
- Being overweight
- Overworking your knee
- Living an inactive lifestyle
- Having tight leg muscles
- Having weak thigh and butt muscles
What does the meniscus do?
The meniscus is a cushion in your knee. It sits between two bones: the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone). It helps absorb shock and protects your knee when you move.
How do doctors diagnose a torn meniscus?
If your knee hurts and you think you have a torn meniscus, see a doctor. The doctor will check your knee and ask about your pain. They may order an X-ray and an MRI. The X-ray looks for bone damage or fractures. The MRI helps find the tear and shows how bad it is.
Symptoms of a torn meniscus
A torn meniscus can cause pain, swelling, and knee weakness. You may need surgery to heal fully. The pain is usually on the inner or outer side of your knee, not around the kneecap. It may also hurt to straighten your knee. If the tear is small, you may not feel pain when walking, standing, or getting out of a car.
Can a meniscus tear heal on its own?
Most meniscus tears don’t heal without surgery. Only part of the meniscus gets enough blood flow to heal. Tears on the outer edge of the meniscus may heal, but tears in the inner part don’t get enough blood and can’t heal on their own.
Treatment options
Treatment depends on how bad the tear is. Some meniscus tears can heal without surgery. Others need surgery to fully heal and relieve pain.
Nonsurgical meniscus tear treatment
Pain relievers like ibuprofen can help with pain and swelling. Physical therapy can strengthen your knee and improve movement.
Surgical meniscus tear treatment
If the tear is severe or caused by an injury, surgery may be the best option. Surgical options include:
- Knee arthroscopy — This procedure uses a small camera and tiny tools to trim or repair the meniscus through small incisions
- Meniscus transplant surgery — In cases of severe damage in young patients, a surgeon replaces the meniscus with donor tissue
Recovery
Recovering from meniscus surgery may take a few weeks to a few months depending on your procedure. Some pain after surgery is normal, and it should get better in a few weeks. Follow your doctor’s instructions and take prescribed medicine to help manage pain.
