Meniscal Repair | IGEA Brain, Spine & Orthopedics

Meniscal tears are some of the most common injuries to affect the knee joint. If you are experiencing pain or other worrisome symptoms in your knee, seek attention from IGEA Brain, Spine & Orthopedics for proper diagnosis and treatment. We’re specialists in orthopedic procedures and provide state-of-the-art treatments to repair torn menisci, including physical therapy and minimally invasive surgery.

UNDERSTANDING MENISCAL TEARS

Your meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage found in each knee. It cushions the joint between your femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone), acting as a shock absorber when you run, jump, land, or fall. It also provides stability to stop the joint from bending abnormally. Unfortunately, the meniscus is fairly easy to injure under stress. A torn meniscus can no longer adequately support or cushion the joint and can be identified by the following symptoms:

A popping sensation when moving the knee
Pain, especially when pivoting
Swelling and stiffness
Difficulty straightening the knee fully
Feeling as though the knee is locked in place
Feelings of weakness or giving way

COMMON CAUSES OF TORN MENISCI

Most meniscal tears are the result of an injury or a degenerative condition. At IGEA Brain, Spine & Orthopedics, we most commonly see meniscal tears due to the following:

Sports Injuries

Meniscal tears are most common among athletes. Sports like football, basketball, and tennis require aggressive pivoting and sudden stops, during which a meniscal tear can occur. The danger increases on uneven ground or when the athlete is using improper footwear.

Occupational Injuries

Meniscal tears may also result from deep squatting, kneeling, or lifting. This makes injury common for manual laborers whose jobs require frequent bending or heavy lifting.

Degeneration

The meniscus degrades much more quickly than other tissues, becoming more brittle and inflexible as the patient grows older. Highly degenerated menisci may experience little to no trauma before tearing.

OUR AVAILABLE TREATMENTS

Most meniscal tears can be treated through conservative means. At IGEA Brain, Spine & Orthopedics, we begin by directing the patient to rest and apply ice to the knee for 15 minutes, applied every four to six hours. This can help to reduce pain while the joint heals naturally. We may also prescribe over-the-counter pain medication. As swelling recedes, physical therapy is implemented to strengthen the muscles that support and stabilize the knee.

While conservative methods are often successful, some patients may require surgery. In these cases, our surgeon uses an arthroscope to perform a minimally invasive repair or trim procedure. The surgery is followed by rehabilitation to strengthen the joint and support a full recovery.

SEEK TREATMENT TODAY IN NEW JERSEY & NEW YORK

IGEA Brain, Spine & Orthopedics is an experienced team of specialists in brain, spine, and orthopedic conditions like meniscal tears. We provide qualified diagnosis and treatment services to patients throughout the tri-state area from our convenient offices in New Jersey and New York. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact us today.