Meniscus Tear
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Phoenix Orthopedic Group
Robert A. Mileski, MD
Sports Medicine Doctor & Orthopedic Surgeon located in Scottsdale, AZ
Meniscus tears are common knee injuries, particularly among athletes who play contact sports. Board-certified orthopedic surgeon Robert Mileski, MD, and his team repair torn menisci and other knee injuries using a full scope of non-surgical and surgical techniques at Phoenix Orthopedic Group in Scottsdale, Arizona. If you suspect a meniscus tear and want to regain your mobility and quality of life, call Phoenix Orthopedic Group today or book an appointment online.
Meniscus Tear Q & A
What is a meniscus tear?
A meniscus tear is an injury that occurs when one or both wedge-shaped pieces of cartilage that act as shock absorbers in your knee (the menisci) tear. This injury can occur simultaneously with other knee injuries, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. Meniscus tears might result from:
- Getting tackled or a severe blow to the knee
- Awkwardly twisting your knee
- Degenerative tears that occur slowly over time
Cartilage in your knee is prone to tearing after degeneration associated with age. But meniscus tears can happen at any age, especially among athletes.
What are the symptoms of a meniscus tear?
If you have a meniscus tear, you might notice:
- A popping sensation
- Pain upon moving, twisting, or rotating your knee
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Difficulty straightening your knee
- Your knee locking in place
- Your knee “giving out”
- Reduced range of motion
Without treatment, your symptoms can worsen over time. If you experience signs of a torn meniscus, Dr. Mileski completes an exam and imaging tests to determine how severe your injury is and your best treatment options.
How is meniscus tear treated?
Dr. Mileski and his team offer comprehensive surgical and non-surgical treatments for meniscus tears, including:
Non-surgical treatment
Depending on the size and location of the tear, non-surgical solutions may effectively treat a meniscus tear. Dr. Mileski might recommend:
- Rest
- Ice or heat therapy
- Compression
- Elevation
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
- Physical therapy
You might also take over-the-counter pain relievers to ease the pain until you fully heal.
Knee surgery
You might require knee surgery to fully restore knee function and live pain-free. Dr. Mileski is an expert at arthroscopic knee procedures, where he uses a miniature camera and tiny instruments inserted via small incisions. He stitches meniscus pieces together during meniscus repair and trims away damaged menisci during a meniscectomy.
After surgery, you’ll complete rehabilitation with a physical therapist or with at-home exercises that improve strength and mobility in your knee and increase range of motion. The recovery time is usually three months for meniscus repair and 3-4 weeks for a meniscectomy. When healing is complete, you can resume pre-injury activities.
If you suspect a meniscus tear, schedule a consultation with Phoenix Orthopedic Group by phone or online today.
