What is a meniscus tear?

A meniscus tear is an injury within one of the crescent-shaped pieces of cartilage within your knees. Each knee has two menisci, with one meniscus on the inside of the knee (the medial meniscus) and one on the outside of the knee (lateral meniscus). 

Your menisci absorb a great deal of impact when you move the bones in your knee joint. A meniscus tear can cause pain and knee movement issues. 

What causes meniscus tears?

The main cause of meniscus tears is physical activity, particularly sharp movements like twisting or pivoting suddenly. You can also suffer a meniscus tear when you put a great deal of pressure on your knees while standing still, for example, during weight lifting (squatting). 

As you age, it’s normal for the menisci to thin and harden. Weakened menisci are more likely to tear, even with ordinary movements. 

What are the symptoms of a meniscus tear?

A meniscus tear usually causes immediate issues, including:

• Knee pain
• A popping noise or sensation 
• Difficulty straightening your knee
• Knee swelling
• Knee locking in place
• Knee weakness

The severity of symptoms can vary with the degree of the tear. With smaller meniscus tears, it could take up to a day for the pain and other symptoms to start. 

How are meniscus tears treated?

Treatment of meniscus tears usually starts with rest, ice, physical therapy, and medication. If conservative care isn’t sufficient for pain relief, or if your knee won’t move properly despite treatment, your Dearborn and Livonia Orthopedics & Sports Medicine provider may recommend surgery. 

A common surgery for a torn meniscus is a minimally invasive procedure called a partial meniscectomy. In this procedure, your provider removes the damaged part of your meniscus, leaving all the healthy tissue intact. Then, they clean and smooth the meniscus. 

Partial meniscectomy typically requires only local or regional anesthesia, so you won’t go to sleep completely. It’s usually an outpatient procedure. 

If you have a torn meniscus along with severe knee arthritis or other joint-wide damage, a total knee replacement could be an alternative treatment option. 

A meniscus tear doesn’t have to set you back forever. Dearborn and Livonia Orthopedics & Sports Medicine offers comprehensive solutions for meniscus tears, from conservative treatments to advanced surgery. Book your appointment online or call today.