Meniscus Tear Specialist

What is a meniscus?

Each of your knees has two menisci, which are wedges of cartilage that separate your thighbone from your shinbone. Your menisci provide critical cushioning in between these large bones, absorbing the brunt of many of the forces on your knees and keeping them stable.

What causes meniscus tears?

Every time you’re on your feet, your menisci are at work. From standing and walking to jumping and pivoting, your menisci absorb the movements and the stresses, all while keeping your knees stabilized.

One wrong move, however, can overtax this piece of cartilage, causing it to tear. It’s for this reason that many meniscus tears are a result of sports, where you’re adding extra stress to this soft tissue. Even a direct hit to your knee can cause a meniscus tear, though most tears are a result of:

• Twisting and pivoting
• Deep squatting
• Sudden stops

As you get older, you’re more prone to injury as your soft tissue, including your menisci, begins to wear down.

What are the symptoms of a meniscus tear?

The most common symptoms of a meniscus tear are:

• A popping sound or sensation in your knee
• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Pain
• Trouble straightening your knee
• Your knee simply “gives way”
• Your knee joint locks

While most people are still able to walk on a knee with a meniscus tear, the swelling and stiffness get worse before they get better, which may limit your movements.

How are meniscus tears treated?

The first order of business at Restore Orthopedics and Spine Center is to diagnose your meniscus tear, which your doctor does through a review of your symptoms and advanced imaging, such as an X-ray or MRI, which are available on the premises.

If your results aren’t conclusive, and you’re still in pain after nonsurgical measures, such as rest and icing therapies, your doctor may recommend an arthroscopic procedure to get a closer look at what’s going on inside your knee. Using only a small incision, your doctor threads a camera into the area to determine the extent of the tear. While they’re there, your surgeon may use specialized tools to repair or excise your meniscus.

After your procedure, you can do your part by rehabbing your knee according to your doctor’s instructions to ensure the best outcome possible.

If you suspect you’ve torn your meniscus, call Restore Orthopedics and Spine Center, or use the online scheduler to request an appointment.