The plural of the meniscus is menisci, and that’s useful to know because you have two menisci on each knee joint. A meniscus is a thick, crescent-shaped piece of cartilage. The two menisci on each knee wrap around the joint, one on the outside of your knee and one on the inside.
Knee injuries are quite common, and the Ortho 1 Medical Group providers see patients experiencing knee pain daily. Often, these patients' main question is whether or not they’ll need surgery. In the case of meniscus tears, the answer depends on many different considerations.
Your menisci serve as shock absorbers, cushioning the bones of your upper legs and your lower legs. They also help to stabilize your knee joints, holding them in place. Other structures within your knee share some of this workload, so you may still be able to function if you have a meniscus tear—some people have tears and never even realize it.
The most common way people tear a meniscus is during a sudden twisting movement. Imagine standing with your feet planted; you catch a basketball, twist sharply to one side, and throw the ball.
Although meniscus tears occur during sports, as in the example above, they can also occur during normal activities, such as squatting down to see what’s in the back of the fridge or carrying a basket of laundry up the stairs.
As you get older, your cartilage dries out and becomes increasingly brittle, making you more prone to injuries like meniscus tears, repetitive use injuries, or tendonitis.
Meniscus tears can be mild and require nonsurgical treatment, such as rest, ice, compression, elevation, and, most importantly, time to heal. Our providers also usually recommend physical therapy to help strengthen the knee.
Another approach is a meniscectomy, which involves removing the torn meniscus. A partial meniscectomy removes the torn cartilage, and a total meniscectomy removes the entire meniscus.
Which of these three treatments is likely best for you depends on numerous factors, including:
If surgery is the best option, you should be aware that we use minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques, which lowers your risk of complications. You will have small incisions, and your surgeon will insert a scope with a camera into one and use specialized instruments to perform the procedure through the other.
Full recovery usually takes four to six weeks, but depending on your type of work, you should be able to return to work or school within a few days.
If you’re concerned about surgery, working with an expert who takes the time to understand your situation and goals is crucial. At Ortho 1 Medical Group, our providers perform extensive diagnostics prior to your procedure and discuss your overall situation and medical history with you.
If you have knee pain, schedule an appointment at Ortho 1 Medical Group. We are happy to help you pinpoint the cause of your pain and discuss your treatment options with you.
