Meniscus Tear

The meniscus helps provide stability to the knee, and more importantly, protects the articular cartilage (joint lining) from premature wear. Twisting movements, buckling episodes, and generalized wear and tear can cause meniscal tears. Tears often cause significant pain from the rubbing of the torn edges together. Occasionally, the torn portion can flip into the knee and block motion. The only way to definitively take care of the tear is with an arthroscopy. The torn portion either is resected or repaired. The majority of tears are unable to be repaired. All attempts are made to preserve as much uninvolved meniscus as possible. Prior to arthroscopy, the entire meniscus was removed during surgery. It was found premature arthritis often ensued. The long-term prognosis of the knee relies on the status of the joint cartilage.

Tears occur in one of two manners. Typically the meniscus will tear due to a sudden twisting motion. However, occasionally there is no obvious cause to the tear, and “wear and tear’ must be attributed to the cause.
Patients either complain of pain or mechanical symptoms with meniscus tears. Pain occurs with twisting, squatting, running, or bending the knee. Often, the knee may temporarily freeze or lock. If the knee locks completely, contact me or your health care provider immediately.

Tears causing pain or mechanical symptoms may require an arthroscopy. A meniscus tear is directly visualized. Depending on the tear pattern, either a meniscus repair or a partial meniscectomy is performed.