WHAT IS A MENISCUS TEAR & HOW IS IT REPAIRED?

The meniscus is a strange-sounding word derived from the Greek term for crescent and has become an all too familiar term to many Americans. In the past few months alone, Oklahoma City point guard Russell Westbrook, Indiana guard Erin Phillips, and Mississippi State cornerback Darius Slay have all been sidelined by meniscus injuries. Understanding what the meniscus does—and how tears can occur—is crucial to protecting your knee function and knowing when to seek treatment in the event of an injury. If you have questions about meniscus tears, or if you think you may have suffered a knee injury, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Millstein for a consultation.

Meniscus Tears

The meniscus is a small, c-shaped disc in the knee that works as a shock absorber and is responsible for keeping the knee steady and balancing the body’s weight evenly throughout the joint. Unfortunately, the meniscus can tear easily if the knee is twisted or turned in a quick or violent motion. This often occurs when the foot is planted and the knee moves independently. It can also happen when lifting heavy objects, jumping, or pivoting. Tears frequently occur during sports because of the need for quick, explosive movement.As individuals get older, the likelihood of joint injuries also increases. General wear and tear on our joints take their toll, in particular for commonly used joints like knees, and makes injuries like meniscus tears more common. In some cases, patients develop pain from a meniscus tear without any injury at all. This is often confusing to patients who are diagnosed with a meniscus tear yet cannot recall any ‘injury’ that precipitated the symptoms.

As individuals get older, the likelihood of joint injuries also increases. General wear and tear on our joints take their toll, in particular for commonly used joints like knees, and makes injuries like meniscus tears more common. In some cases, patients develop pain from a meniscus tear without any injury at all. This is often confusing to patients who are diagnosed with a meniscus tear yet cannot recall any ‘injury’ that precipitated the symptoms.When the meniscus tears, many hear and/or feel a loud popping sensation in their knee. This is usually an indication that the meniscus has been torn. Unfortunately, immediately after

When the meniscus tears, many hear and/or feel a loud popping sensation in their knee. This is usually an indication that the meniscus has been torn. Unfortunately, immediately after injury, many people can still move and even play on their knees, further aggravating the injury. Eventually, the knee swells and becomes stiff, making it very difficult to walk and affecting the knee’s ability to bear weight.

Types of Meniscus Tears

Classification of meniscus tears usually is based on the shape of the tear determined by MRI or findings at the time of arthroscopy. However, patients often ask, “How bad is the tear?” and the answer depends upon the symptoms caused by the tear:

1. Minor Tear – Although most meniscus tears do not ever permanently heal due to poor blood supply, symptoms from a minor tear usually go away after 2-3 days
2. Moderate Tear – A moderate tear will get worse over a two to three day period. As time goes on, the knee may feel increasingly stiff and painful. Walking is usually possible, but the knee’s range of motion is greatly reduced. Squatting and twisting the knee usually results in sharp pain. Symptoms may go away after one to two weeks of rest, but if left untreated, this pain can come and go for many years.
3. Severe Tear – In the most severe cases, pieces of the meniscus can get caught within the joint space, making it lock, pop, and catch. The knee can give out without warning and will feel extremely unstable. The knee will swell and become severely stiff over the course of two to three days after injury.

How To Diagnose A Torn Meniscus

Dr. Millstein is an expert orthopedic surgeon with years of experience at accurately diagnosing all types of injuries, especially those of the knee and shoulder. Upon initial examination, Dr. Millstein will take an X-Ray and perform a physical examination to check the knee’s range of motion, stability, and tenderness. If Dr. Millstein suspects a meniscus tear based on the examination, he may then order an MRI to confirm the diagnosis.

How To Treat A Meniscus Tear

Treating a torn meniscus depends on the severity of the injury. Treatment options include more conservative options such as applying ice to the knee and doing physical therapy, as well as orthopedic surgery to remove or repair the torn meniscus. In active individuals, surgery is often required to treat the symptoms of a meniscus tear. Unfortunately, the meniscus has very little blood supply and, therefore, minimal healing capacity. In the large majority of cases, surgery involves removing the torn portion of the meniscus and preserving as much meniscus as possible. In some cases, when the tear is near the blood supply, the meniscus may be repairable and Dr. Millstein will stitch the tear together. This may result in healing over the next 3-4 months, preserving the shock absorbing tissue of the meniscus. In all cases, this decision is made at the time of surgery, as MRI findings are not predictive of the ability to repair/heal. Meniscus repair, compared to resection, involves a more prolonged recovery with the use of a brace and significant activity limitations.

Contact Los Angeles Surgeon Dr. Millstein

Dr. Millstein is an expert at diagnosing and treating knee injuries. He completed an Orthopedic Fellowship in Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy at the Southern California Orthopedic Institute and is the recipient of numerous awards, including Castle Connolly’s Top Doctor award and the prestigious Patients’ Choice Award. If you think you may have suffered a meniscus tear, don’t hesitate to call Dr. Millstein at (310) 595-1030. Seeking immediate medical treatment is the best way to get you back to the activities you love, both on and off the field.