Services | Orthopedics and Pain Medicine Physician located in Edison, Clifton, Hazlet, Jersey City and West Orange, NJ | Garden State Pain & Orthopedics

What is a meniscus tear?

The knee contains two rubbery, crescent-shaped discs of connective tissue called menisci. They act as shock absorbers in-between your thigh bones and shin bone and play an important role in knee stability.

You may tear your meniscus during any activity that involves rotating your knee while bearing weight on the same leg. Athletes who play sports that require aggressive pivoting and sudden turns, such as basketball or football, are particularly susceptible to meniscus tears.

What are the symptoms of a torn meniscus?

You may hear a popping sound at the time you injure your meniscus. You may still be able to walk on the injured knee, but it will gradually become stiff and swollen over the following few days.

Common signs and symptoms of a torn meniscus include:

• Knee pain
• Stiffness and swelling
• Decreased range of motion
• A clicking or locking sensation

Without proper treatment, a fragment of the meniscus may break off and float into your knee joint.

How is a meniscus tear diagnosed?

First, your physician at Garden State Pain & Orthopedics reviews your symptoms and medical history. Then, they carefully examine your knee and check for signs of tenderness. They may move your knee into different positions or observe you walk to identify symptoms.

To confirm a diagnosis, they may take an MRI imaging test. In some cases, they may perform knee arthroscopy, a minimally invasive surgical technique to visually examine the inside of your joint.

Once they diagnose your condition, the team at Garden State Pain & Orthopedics creates a personalized treatment plan based on your particular needs.

How is a meniscus tear treated?

Treatment for a torn meniscus varies depending on the type, size, and location of the tear. The outer third of the meniscus has a rich blood supply, so tears in this region often don’t require surgery. Meniscus tears that affect the inner two-thirds of the tissue lack a blood supply and therefore can’t heal without surgery.

Non-surgical treatment for a meniscus tear includes:

• Rest
• Ice
• Compression
• Elevation
• Physical therapy
• Regenerative medicine

Your physician may also recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen, to relieve pain. Severe meniscus tears may require arthroscopic knee surgery to repair or trim away the damaged tissue.  

If you think you may have a torn meniscus, don’t hesitate to call Garden State Pain & Orthopedics or book an appointment online today.