Meniscus Tears

Is your knee swollen, stiff, or in pain? Did you experience a sudden twist, impact, or “pop” during an athletic event or daily activity? You may be suffering from a meniscus tear.

Meniscus Tears: What is it?

Your knee is a complicated joint, bringing together two bones, three ligaments, and other vital components which help the knee bend, flex, and function. Two important components of the knee which function to reduce and absorb impact and shock to the knee are wedge-shaped cartilage pads called meniscus. When your knee experiences a twist or powerful impact, these menisci can partially or completely tear.

Knee anatomy Lateral and medial meniscus

Hands gripping knee in pain due to meniscus tear

Symptoms: What do Meniscus Tears feel like?

Meniscus tears can result in common symptoms such as knee pain, swelling, and stiffness. Immediately after the injury, athletes may be able to continue competing or people may continue their daily activities. However, over the course of hours or days, a meniscus tear will continue to cause pain, swelling, and stiffness until the injury is treated.

Causes

The primary cause of a meniscus tear is a knee twist or direct impact to the knee during contact sports. However, meniscus tears can happen to people during daily activities as well. In addition to athletes, older people are more at risk for degenerative meniscus tears as the cartilage in their knee breaks down with age and is more susceptible to tears and injury.

Evaluation: How are Meniscus Tears diagnosed?

The most common visual evaluation for a meniscus tear is to look and feel for tenderness and swelling along the joint line where the meniscus are located. Your doctor will also bend, straighten, and rotate your knee. If you have a meniscus tear, you will hear a clicking sound during this movement.

After completing basic visual testing, X-rays and MRI testing may be used to confirm the extent of the injury and to ensure there isn’t additional damage that will need treatment.

Treatment

Surgical and non-surgical treatments can be used to repair a torn meniscus. If your tear is located in the outer part of the meniscus, it may be able to heal on its own with rest, ice, compression and elevation. Tears on the inner part of the meniscus or more extensive tears on the outer part of the meniscus may require surgical procedures to trim away the affected parts of the cartilage in order to facilitate new cartilage growth and healing.

Medical doctor pointing at radiograph X-ray image!

Surgical Options

Arthroscopic surgery is a very commonly-performed surgery on the knee to repair a torn meniscus. During this surgery, your surgeon will utilize microscopic surgical instruments inserted through micro-incisions to remove damaged cartilage, apply stitches to repair cartilage, and clean out the knee environment for optimal healing.

Recovery: What Can Be Expected?

Recovery time for arthroscopic knee surgery to repair a meniscus tear can range from 3-4 weeks to 3-4 months depending on the extent of your injury and surgery. Once your knee is fully recovered from surgery, extensive physical therapy will help ensure your knee recovers quickly and regains optimal movement and strength. Your doctor will discuss your recovery and therapy plan before and after your surgery.

Frequently asked questions about Meniscus Tears

Physicians

The following physicians specialize in the treatment of Meniscus Tears:

Corey P. Rothrock, MD

Peter A. Looby, MD

Gregory M. Neely, MD

Luke H. Rasmussen, MD

Keith M. Baumgarten, MD

Evan N. Hermanson, MD

Timothy L. Walker, MD

Eric S. Watson, MD

Matthew J. McKenzie, MD

Dustin P. Collins, MD

Erik D. Peterson, MD

Michael J. Adler, MD

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Testimonials

Dr. Zoellner did an outstanding job on my recent knee surgery. His “bedside Manner” was quite professional and very personal, making it clear I was more than just a patient!! His staff was great also! I would highly recommend Dr. Zoellner and the Orthopedic Institute and Specialty Hospital!!!

What a great doctor. Dr. Looby has seen me through knee and shoulder surgeries, with great skill and care. He always makes sure I am doing ok and answers all my questions and listens to my concerns. It has been an awesome journey to being pain-free and able to function normally. I will be able to dance at my daughter’s wedding. I am so grateful. What a blessing!

Dr. Keith Baumgarten is not only knowledgeable but has a great bedside manner and sense of humor. I would highly recommend him to anyone with knee problems like mine. The steroid injection has been a great relief over the past 3 years.

Dr. Rothrock did my right knee replacement last year and just completed my left knee surgery last week. I have been an RN for over 30 years and worked with many doctors and I know quality when I encounter it! Considerate – is on time, and uses skin closure that makes a beautiful healed incision instead of staples which leave lots of ugly dots. He’s very intuitive. At an office visit he knew I needed some encouragement and told me I was doing “better than most.” When I got home I realized how helpful that was. How am I supposed to know where I’m at on the spectrum? I was working hard but hardly getting anywhere. It takes a lot of time. Thanks for those words Dr. Rothrock! VERY encouraging!

This was my second knee procedure with Dr. Hermanson. As a patient, both procedures have resulted in excellent outcomes. Dr. Hermanson and staff answered any questions I had in a direct manner and I was very satisfied with the whole examination, pre-surgery, and surgery experience. Very thorough process.