Torn Meniscus

Did you know that when you walk, your knee absorbs 2 – 4 times your body’s weight? When you run, these numbers can jump all the way to 6 – 8 times. Because so much force is applied to your knee, the first symptom that you might notice with a torn meniscus is an audible pop. This occurs as the meniscus snaps, releasing pressure on the knee and gases, such as CO2.

Thereafter, painful symptoms may emerge immediately or up to 24 hours later, as swelling builds up around the knee. Common symptoms of a torn meniscus may include:

• Popping or Grinding: As stated, you might feel or hear a pop at the time of your injury. However, more commonly, you may notice that your knee pops when you attempt to squat or climb the stairs after your injury. In addition, you may feel as though your femur (aka thighbone) is grinding against your tibia (aka shinbone).

• Pain and Swelling: You may feel pain when you attempt to twist, bend, or rotate your knee. Most likely, you will feel this pain on the front side of your knee, just to the right or left of the center. As with all joint injuries, your knee may begin to swell, making the joint stiff or difficult to bend.
• Difficulty Extending the Knee: As swelling and inflammation build up around your knee, you may find it difficult to straighten your leg. If the meniscus tears into a flap, then locking may occur. This happens when the flap flops forward, blocking the space required for the knee to fully extend.
• Buckling: Although actual buckling of the knee is rare, you may feel as though your legs want to give out underneath your body weight.

If you have been diagnosed with a torn meniscus, then your doctor will begin with a regimen of conservative treatments. Many people find that rest, immobilization, ice, and pain medication are sufficient to jumpstart their healing process.

For those with slightly worse injuries, your doctor may prescribe a course of physical therapy. During PT sessions, your physical therapist will design strengthening exercises that help you build hamstring, quadriceps, and calf muscles, while preserving flexibility and fluid motion.

However, not all meniscal tears will heal adequately with either one of these interventions. When meniscal tears are particularly severe or do not heal within 6 months’ time, your doctor may recommend surgical treatment. Because the abundance of blood supply often determines healing time, you are more likely to need meniscus surgery if:

• You suffer from a medial meniscus tear. Less blood supply travels to the medial meniscus than to its lateral neighbor.

• You are over age 40. Blood supply to the meniscus declines with age. At age 40, you have already lost up to 20% of the blood flow that you had to your knee at age 18.

If you need meniscus surgery, then don’t fret. A vast array of minimally invasive surgical options exist from which you can choose!

Minimally Invasive Treatment Options For A Torn Meniscus

There are 3 primary forms of surgery that your doctor may recommend to address your torn meniscus. These include:

• Knee Arthroscopy: During this procedure, your doctor will insert a tiny camera, known as an arthroscope, into your knee. Using 3D technology, your doctor will project images of your knee onto a screen. With tiny instruments and minimal blood loss, your doctor will then repair your meniscal tear and remove any debris.

• Partial Meniscectomy: During this operation, your doctor will remove torn pieces of cartilage, such as a flap or bucket handle tear.

• Meniscus Repair: A meniscus repair uses a small incision to gain access to your knee. During this procedure, your doctor will attempt to repair the torn meniscus by suturing the pieces together.

If you need arthroscopic surgery, don’t hesitate to contact one of our minimally invasive surgical experts. Our doctors specialize in sports medicine and can help you achieve pain relief without the side effects of medication. For expert advice that you can trust, contact NJ Spine & Orthopedic today!