Meniscus Tear

Woodlands Center For Special Surgery

Orthopaedic, Hand, Foot & Ankle Surgeons & Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Specialists located in The Woodlands, TX & Willis, TX

Meniscus tears are a common knee problem requiring customized treatment based on the location of the injury. If you need help with knee pain, reach out to Mark Ciaglia, DO, William J. Jordan, MD, Hemali Patel, DPM, and the team at the Woodlands Center for Special Surgery. You will receive care from a doctor with extensive experience treating meniscus tears, helping each person return to their active life. To schedule a knee evaluation, call The Woodlands or Willis, Texas, office or book an appointment online today.

What causes a meniscus tear?

The meniscus, a C-shaped piece of cartilage, lies between the leg bones inside the knee joint. Each knee joint has two menisci, which cushion the bones, stabilize movement, and absorb shock.

Meniscus tears primarily occur when you suddenly stop running or twist or rotate the knee. However, the cartilage also breaks down over years of knee movements, making it vulnerable to tears from everyday activities.

What symptoms indicate I have a meniscus tear?

A torn meniscus causes:

Pain
Swelling
Stiffness
Limited knee movement
Loss of movement (locked knee)
Feeling like the knee will give out
Difficulty extending your knee

In many cases, the symptoms are mild at first, but worsen over the next few days.

How is a torn meniscus treated?

Your treatment depends on the severity of the tear and whether the tear is in the red or white zone:

Red zone treatment

The outer third of the meniscus is called the red zone because it has a good blood supply. Tears in this zone often heal with nonsurgical treatments because they get oxygen and nutrients from blood.

Treatment for red zone tears may include:

Resting your knee (limiting activities)
Using ice, compression, and elevation
Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Getting a steroid injection

You may need surgery for a red zone tear if it’s a severe injury.

White zone treatment

The white zone includes the inner two-thirds of the meniscus. This area doesn’t have a blood supply, and without blood, the tissues can’t heal. Though your treatment may begin with the same conservative approach listed above, white zone injuries frequently require surgical repair.

If you need surgery, your Woodlands Center for Surgery provider performs knee arthroscopy. In most cases, they’ll trim away the damaged tissue or repair the meniscus (stitch it together). If the meniscus is too severely damaged, it may be removed and replaced with a donor meniscus.

What are the benefits of knee arthroscopy?

Knee arthroscopy uses a slim device (arthroscope) equipped with a camera. Your surgeon inserts the scope through a small incision, and once inside the joint, uses the camera to evaluate the meniscus and determine the necessary surgical procedure.

The small incisions cause less trauma and bleeding. As a result, you have a lower risk of complications, less pain after surgery, and a faster recovery.

Call the nearest Woodlands Center for Surgery office today or connect online to schedule a knee evaluation, learn the cause of your pain, and receive exceptional treatment.