Meniscus Tears Specialist

What is a meniscus tear?

Each knee has two menisci, which are C-shaped cartilage pads that cushion the space between your thigh bone and shin bone. A meniscus can tear any time you forcefully twist your knee, especially if you put all your weight on that leg at the time. 

A torn meniscus causes knee pain, swelling, and stiffness that makes it difficult to walk or run. This can cause major problems for an athlete or active person, but Dr. Trice can help.

As one of the leading cartilage transplant surgeons in the country, he provides a variety of effective treatment options to repair a torn meniscus.  

How do meniscus tears occur?

Meniscus tears are common sports injuries that can occur when you rotate your knee too far. Sometimes, this results from direct contact like a tackle. 

Older adults are at higher risk of meniscus tears due to degenerative damage. Cartilage wears thin over time, making it more susceptible to tears. Something as simple as an awkward twist when you get out of the car may cause a meniscus tear. 

What are the symptoms of a meniscus tear?

You may hear or feel a pop in your knee when you tear your meniscus. Other signs and symptoms of a torn meniscus include:

• Knee pain
• Swelling or stiffness
• Pain that worsens when rotating your knee
• Knee instability
• Difficulty straightening your knee

If you think you may have a torn meniscus, it’s important to see Dr. Trice right away, even if you can still walk on the injured leg. Without treatment, a piece of the meniscus can break off and float into your knee joint.

How are meniscus tears diagnosed and treated?

First, Dr. Trice reviews your symptoms and medical history. He carefully examines your knee, checking for signs of a meniscus tear like tenderness and a clicking sound with movement. He may also take imaging tests, such as an X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.

Then, Dr. Trice recommends the best course of treatment for your specific needs. A small tear along the outer edge of the meniscus may improve with nonsurgical treatments like rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE).

The inner part of the meniscus lacks its own blood supply, so tears here don’t heal on their own. Dr. Trice may perform minimally invasive knee arthroscopy to repair this type of meniscus tear.  

For advanced treatment of meniscus tears, call Complete Orthopaedics, or book an appointment online today.