Meniscus Tear Specialist
If you felt a pop when you hurt your knee, you might have a meniscus tear. At One Oak Medical, surgeons Dr. Faisal Mahmood and Dr. Ahmad Badri offer orthopedic care and minimally invasive surgery to repair knee injuries like meniscus tears. If you’re suffering from pain, stiffness, or lost range of motion in your knee, call one of the offices in Wayne, Paramus, Point Pleasant, or Middletown, New Jersey, or in Staten Island, New York, or schedule an appointment online.
Meniscus Tear Q & A
What is a meniscus tear?
The meniscus is made up of cartilage that cushions and stabilizes your knee joint. It also protects your bones from wear and tear. When this cartilage breaks loose or catches in the knee joint, you have a meniscus tear.
The symptoms of a meniscus tear include:
- Pain
- Swelling or stiffness
- Reduced range of motion
- Locking or catching in the knee joint
- Feeling as though your knee will give out
Meniscus tears are one of the most common knee injuries.
What causes a meniscus tear?
Meniscus tears are common in both contact sports like football and noncontact sports that require a lot of jumping, squatting, or suddenly changing directions, like volleyball and soccer.
The meniscus also weakens with age, so older men and women are at higher risk of injury. More than 40% of people 65 and older have meniscus injuries, and they can even occur from getting up from a chair.
When left untreated, your meniscus can drift out of position and cause your knee to lock, slip, or pop.
How is a meniscus tear diagnosed?
During your appointment, Dr. Mahmood or Dr. Badri conducts a physical examination of your knee.
Tenderness located along the joint at the meniscus location typically indicates a tear. Your doctor might also have you bend, straighten, and rotate your knee. This type of pressure on a torn meniscus usually creates a clicking sound.
Besides your physical exam, Dr. Mahmood or Dr. Badri might recommend using on-site digital X-rays to rule out underlying causes of your knee pain, such as arthritis. In addition to finding out exactly what’s causing the discomfort, the doctor may order a high-resolution MRI of your knee.
How is a meniscus tear treated?
Based on your diagnosis, your doctor offers a variety of treatments. For meniscus tears that don’t require surgical repair, he may suggest the RICE method — rest, ice, compression, and elevation — to reduce pain and swelling.
For surgical treatments, he recommends minimally invasive techniques, including knee arthroscopy. During this procedure, Dr. Mahmood or Dr. Badri creates an incision in your knee and inserts a tiny camera and miniature surgical instruments to repair your meniscus tear.
After surgical treatment, your surgeon may recommend physical therapy or rehabilitation exercises to restore your knee’s strength and mobility.
To get treatment for a meniscus tear or other knee pain, call One Oak Medical or schedule an appointment online today.
