When it comes to treating your meniscus tear, you have options. Whether that be through a surgical procedure or not, there are a few deciding factors on the best solution. Such factors are:
- Location of the tear
- Size of the tear
- The pattern of the tear
- Your age and health
- Your activity level
Let's take a look at your options for a Meniscus Tear.
Arthroscopic Repair
This type of repair is less invasive and done without the use of open surgery. Instead, a lighted tube with a camera called an arthroscope is used to better look at the tear through small incisions made around the damaged area. From there, the tear is stitched up. Arthroscopic repairs see the most success:
- In younger people.
- In knees that have good stability.
- In longitudinal tears or in radial tears that occur in the red zone.
- If the repair is done in the first few weeks after the injury.
Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy
This type of treatment involves removing the torn meniscus piece because it is too severely torn to be stitched. This treatment option allows patients to recover faster than removing the whole meniscus and provides a more complete recovery. Partial removal is also standard in tears from the outer area to the inner area of the meniscus.
Arthroscopic Total Meniscectomy
This procedure involves removing the entire meniscus since it is beyond the point of repair and cannot be stitched. An arthroscopic total meniscectomy is recommended when there is an extensive tear that extends to the meniscus's inner area due to years of damage to the meniscus. Removing the whole meniscus leads to less cushion and stability around the joint, causing more problems later on.
No Surgery
It is possible to treat some meniscus tears without surgery, and some may even heal on their own. Tears on the outer one-third of your meniscus can heal independently because this area has a rich blood supply, and blood cells can regenerate the meniscus tissue. However, if the tear is located on the inner two-thirds, the tear will not repair itself and will need to be surgically removed. This is because the inner two-thirds do not have enough blood flow to repair the tissue.
If it is possible to treat the tear without surgery, a combination of the following will be used:
- Ice
- Rest
- Compression
- Elevation
- Anti-Inflammatory Medication
- Physical Therapy
Schedule an Appointment with an Orthopedist
Ultimately, you should consult with an orthopedic surgeon on what is right for your case. Contact us to schedule a consultation regarding your meniscus tear. Our experts will recommend the right solution for you and help get you back to an active lifestyle.