It's "just a meniscus tear." As compared to things that can happen in the knee, the meniscus is a relatively simple fix. But we recognize that "minor" surgery is something that happens to someone else--not you or your loved one--so we thought we would take a few minutes and explain a little about the meniscus, what it does, how it often finds itself torn, and how to know if it needs to be repaired.

What is it and what does it do?

The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage that acts as a cushion between the shinbone (tibia) and thighbone (femur). It takes the pressure off, so to speak, so when it's torn, the pressure increases and causes pain.

How do tears typically occur?

The meniscus is not always a contact sport injury. Unfortunately, many times, a tear occurs from "simple," every day movements. According to Dr. Andrew Morris, "Injury is typically caused from a pivoting or twisting motion when your foot is planted and you turn, either around a corner, or during a sport, or even walking down a hallway and you feel a tweak and your knee gives out on you--that can be a meniscus tear. Also, from a really deep squat, when the meniscus really gets loaded from the femur, it can get pinched and you can have meniscus pain that way."

Is Surgery the Only Way to Repair a Torn Meniscus?

Usually, if not caused from a heavy sports injury, can be repaired non-operatively. Dr. Morris says, "In the older, degenerative type tear, there's almost no difference found between "surgery" and "no-surgery" at the 2-year mark.  It's the meniscus tear with mechanical symptoms that needs to be repaired--those that click, lock, or catch." Dr. Morris says that these type of symptoms should always be investigated with an MRI, and if found to be a torn meniscus, always need to be repaired in order to preserve the knee and help prevent arthritis. "If no mechanical symptoms are found, the mensicus tear can be treated like a sprain or an arthritis flare-up, with anti-inflammatory medications," according to Dr. Morris.

If you are experiencing knee pain and think it could be your meniscus, give us a call to make an appointment with one of our orthopaedic surgeons: 256-236-4121. Conservative treatment options are available, and if surgery is needed, it is always best to know sooner...rather than later!