Torn Meniscus-torn knee cartilage not limited to athletes or sports.
Edited By: Carol C. Teitz, M.D.
Last updated Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Torn Meniscus - A tear in the non-vascular region of the meniscus as seen through the arthroscope Torn Meniscus - A probe is inserted in the tear, immediately adjacent to the meniscal blood supply Management and treatmentTreatment When a torn meniscus is diagnosed but the knee is not locked and the
patient cannot identify a specific incident associated with the onset
of pain, the pain can be treated initially with over the counter pain
medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. The patient should
avoid pivoting and squatting and should work on keeping Quadriceps
muscles strong. If the swelling and pain have not resolved in 6 weeks ,
they usually won't without surgical intervention.
A traumatically torn meniscus usually requires arthroscopic surgical treatment.
This minimally invasive surgical treatment involves either removing or repairing the torn segment of meniscus using an arthroscope.
Because only the outer 1/4-1/5 of the meniscus has blood supply,
repairs are successful when the tear occurs in this vascular region of
the meniscus. Tears in the non-vascular region are unlikely to heal and
therefore are removed.
In the case of a degenerative meniscal tear associated with osteoarthritis,
the expected outcome after surgery is different. Although
arthroscopically treating the torn meniscus and simultaneously trimming
away any shaggy articular cartilage caused by the arthritis may
eliminate mechanical symptoms such as catching or locking, the
non-mechanical symptoms of osteoarthritis ( stiffness, achiness,
weather-related pain) may persist. Therefore, in the setting of a
degenerative meniscal tear with osteoarthritis, the patient and doctor
also need to discuss treatment alternatives for the arthritis such as
injections into the knee or partial or total knee replacement. Self-management Avoiding twisting activites may decrease the symptoms from a torn
meniscus. Additionally, one should do Quadriceps setting exercises with
the knee straight or mini-squats,bending only to 15 degrees, to prevent
giving way and keep the Quadriceps muscle from atrophying.Health care team As mentioned above, some primary care doctors, arthritis doctors, or
rehabilitation medicine doctors can often make the diagnosis. A
fellowship trained orthopaedic surgeon who regularly does arthroscopic
knee surgery is best equipped to treat this problem.Exercise and therapy Most meniscal tears cannot heal because of their limited blood supply.
Nevertheless, Quadriceps muscle strengthening exercises can help
prevent some of the secondary effects of a torn meniscus such as knee
cap pain or the sense of buckling.Medications Medications such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen may relieve
some of the pain, but will not actually treat the underlying meniscal
tear. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxyn may also
decrease the associated swelling.Surgery Surgery
is the definitive treatment for torn meniscus. The surgery is done
arthroscopically and will include either removal or repair of the torn
part of meniscus.
Repair can be done only when the tear lies in or just adjacent to the
vascular zone of the meniscus.Joint aspiration Removal of excess joint fluid can temporarily bring some relief from
pain, but the meniscus will not heal and the fluid will usually
reaccumulate.Splints or braces Braces may provide an increased sense of security but do not treat the meniscus per se.Surgery for Torn Meniscus-torn knee cartilage at the University of Washington If you are interested in making an appointment to discuss this procedure, you can request an appointment using our online referrals website. To request a referral online, please click here. You can also call 206-543-1552 or 425-646-7777 to make an appointment.
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