A re-torn meniscus can occur from a fall, traumatic event or degeneration
. Revision meniscus repair surgeon, Dr. Matthew Provencher provides diagnosis and both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options for patients in Vail who have re-torn their meniscus. Contact Dr.
What are the 2 main ways that a surgeon can fix a meniscus tear?
Treatment options include non-surgical treatment with rest, ice, compression, elevation, and physiotherapy; surgical repair;
surgical removal of the torn section (partial meniscectomy); and surgical removal of the entire meniscus (total meniscectomy)
.
What happens when you tear both meniscus?
Each of your knees has two C-shaped pieces of cartilage that act like a cushion between your shinbone and your thighbone. A torn meniscus causes
pain, swelling and stiffness. You also might feel a block to knee motion and have trouble extending your knee fully
.
Which is worse lateral or medial meniscus tear?
3. Is the lateral meniscus tear worse than a medial meniscus tear? It is hard to differentiate what type of tear is worse if it is repairable. However, it is well known that
if a lateral meniscus is taken out, the consequences are almost always worse than having a medial meniscus resected
.
How common is it to tear both meniscus?
Rarely, bilateral meniscal tears occur
. A PubMed search found that only three cases of bilateral medial meniscus bucket handle type tears have been reported. Treatment options range from partial meniscectomy to repair of the meniscal tear.
What happens if you don’t get surgery for a torn meniscus?
If not treated,
part of the meniscus may come loose and slip into the joint
. You may need surgery to restore full knee function. Untreated meniscus tears can increase in size and lead to complications, such as arthritis.
Will walking on a torn meniscus make it worse?
Can you walk on a torn meniscus?
Whether you can walk on a torn meniscus will depend on the injury’s location and severity
— and perhaps also your own personal tolerance for pain. A slight tear might not feel so bad to you. You may very well be able to stand and walk on a leg that has a torn meniscus in the knee.
Will a knee brace help a torn meniscus?
Yes. Although knee braces do not heal or treat your meniscus tear directly, they can provide extra support and stability for your knee while your meniscus injury heals
. A good brace will protect your knee and take the pressure off your meniscus, allowing it to rest.
What percent of meniscus tears require surgery?
It’s important to know the differences between the tears because usually only acute traumatic tears are surgically repairable.
Less than 10 percent
of meniscal tears occurring in patients age 40 or older can be repaired.
Will my knee ever be the same after meniscus surgery?
Knee Swelling after Meniscus Surgery
Swelling is an indicator of inflammation, which is part of the normal healing process after surgeries such as a meniscus repair.
It can sometimes persist for a few weeks following meniscal surgery
.
What type of meniscus tear requires surgery?
Grade 3 meniscus tears
usually require surgery, which may include: Arthroscopic repair — An arthroscope is inserted into the knee to see the tear. One or two other small incisions are made for inserting instruments.
Is meniscus surgery painful?
Arthroscopic meniscus repair is
moderately painful
. Because more soft tissue surgery is performed, it is more painful than a standard arthroscopy, but less painful than a ligament reconstruction or another procedure that requires drilling holes through the bone.
Will a cortisone shot help a torn meniscus?
A cortisone shot can help decrease the inflammation and pain caused by a torn meniscus
. A cortisone shot usually does not help in healing of the meniscus and, hence, does not improve any mechanical symptoms. If a meniscus is repairable, then a cortisone shot is not preferred as it may impair healing of the meniscus.
Why does meniscus tear hurt at night?
There are a couple of reasons why your knee pain is worse at night:
Pain is perceived to be worse at nighttime
. As you climb into bed and start to quiet your mind pain becomes more pronounced than when you were active during the day distracted by your activities. An active day may cause your knee joint to swell.
What causes repeated meniscus tears?
The tear
frequently occurs while playing sports
. People whose cartilage wears down (due to age or arthritis) can tear a meniscus from a motion as simple as stepping on an uneven surface. Sometimes, degeneration from arthritis causes a tear, even without a knee injury.
How long does a Grade 2 meniscus tear take to heal?
Time to heal is
3-4 weeks
. But knee bracing may be needed for 6 weeks.
Is it worth having meniscus surgery?
Surgery may help you reduce the risk of other joint problems, such as osteoarthritis
. There are no long-term studies to prove it, but many doctors believe that successful meniscus repair helps to evenly spread the stress placed on the knee joint.
How do you know if a meniscus tear needs surgery?
For instance, if the meniscus tear is mild, which would be a Grade 1 or 2, you will most likely not need surgery. However,
if your injury is more severe at a Grade 3 rating, then your doctor might discuss your surgery options
.
Should you stay off a torn meniscus?
Rest.
You should stay off your feet until your meniscus tear is healed
. Don’t walk, run, or play sports because this can make your injury worse.
Can you put weight on a torn meniscus?
Many individuals are still capable of putting weight on the affected knee
and even walking normally after a meniscus injury. In fact, many athletes can even continue playing after a meniscus injury.
What should I avoid with a torn meniscus?
The only way to prevent and avoid a torn meniscus is to
avoid activities that cause the knees to twist, bend, or rotate in an extreme fashion
. If a person cannot avoid these activities, they should take as much care as possible while participating in them.
Is a compression sleeve good for meniscus tear?
Using an elastic bandage, straps, or sleeves to compress can also control swelling
. In cases of more severe tears, repair of the meniscus may be necessary. The decision to repair is based on many factors, including the location of the tear and age of the patient.
How do you sleep with a torn meniscus?
Roll over to the “good leg” side
. Sleeping on your back can be an adjustment in and of itself. If you do choose to sleep on your side, roll to the non-surgery side and put a pillow between your knees. Use this position only if you’re having no luck getting to sleep on your back, and remember not to bend the knee.
How long does it take for a torn meniscus to heal without surgery?
Meniscus tears are the most frequently treated knee injuries. Recovery will take about
6 to 8 weeks
if your meniscus tear is treated conservatively, without surgery. If your symptoms persist after 3 months or your symptoms become significant, your doctor may recommend surgery to repair the tear.
