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Diagnosed With Meniscus Tear. Pain In The Knee. Surgery Needed?
hi my name is tom - saw an orthopedic surgeon and was told i have a menistus tear - he was not that informative - i did not know what questions to ask and my options - after doping a little research on my own i have come up with a number of questions - i think i have a minor tear - since the menistur is a living tissue wil it heal itself - if surgery is recommended what is the procedure - is it repaired - is it removed - please comment - i have only slight pain and am using a hinged brace when working outside - oh yes i am 75 years young - thanks
Mon, 22 Jul 2013
Hi, thanks for writing to HCM.
As you are 75 years old, the likely possibility is a DEGENERATIVE meniscal tear
A few facts about meniscal tears -
* Not all meniscal tears needs surgical management
* Tears occuring in the peripheral rim of meniscus may heal spontaneously
* Symptomatic tears with pain, effusion and instability needs arthroscopic excision
The conservative mode of management for meniscal tear is as follows -
* activity modification by avoiding impact sports which causes more strain on the knee joint
* using an elastic compression bandage to reduce the swelling
* Ice packing to alleviate the pain
* Physiotherapy to strengthen the quadriceps muscle
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
As you are 75 years old, the likely possibility is a DEGENERATIVE meniscal tear
A few facts about meniscal tears -
* Not all meniscal tears needs surgical management
* Tears occuring in the peripheral rim of meniscus may heal spontaneously
* Symptomatic tears with pain, effusion and instability needs arthroscopic excision
The conservative mode of management for meniscal tear is as follows -
* activity modification by avoiding impact sports which causes more strain on the knee joint
* using an elastic compression bandage to reduce the swelling
* Ice packing to alleviate the pain
* Physiotherapy to strengthen the quadriceps muscle
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
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