Torn Meniscus: When Surgery May Be Necessary

Athletes and people involved in sports are prone to a meniscus tear, a knee injury that occurs due to the sudden twisting of your knees. The meniscus is the two pieces of band that join your thigh bone and shin bone. Sports injury or arthritis can result in the thinning of the cartilage, which may eventually break down the meniscus. A meniscus tear can be corrected in the initial stage, but if it’s torn beyond repair, you might need a total knee replacement surgery in Thane.

A torn meniscus will reduce your mobility and cause pain when you straighten your legs or put any unnecessary strain on your knee. Lifting heavy objects or participating in strenuous physical activities increase your risk of a torn meniscus.

Do You Need Surgery to Fix Torn Meniscus?

Whether you need surgery for a meniscus tear depends on factors like your age, the cause of the tear, and how severe the symptoms are. If you are unable to stand and sit, surgery might be your only treatment option. For others, physical therapy combined with medication might work. Initially, the doctors recommend painkillers and use an ice bag to reduce swelling around the area. They will ask you to consider physical therapy to prevent swelling and restore your normal range of motion.

Surgery is used as a last resort, i.e., when none of these treatments work. The doctor will order an MRI and other tests to identify the damage to your cartilage and the surrounding tissues before suggesting a treatment. They might also use an arthroscope, a tool featuring a camera, and a light used to give doctors a clear view of your joints. A mild meniscus tear doesn’t require surgery. But, if it has reached grade 3, surgery might be the only way to alleviate pain and restore your mobility.

Other Treatment Options

As mentioned above, the best treatment for a torn meniscus depends on the level of damage and your health. Your doctor may perform the arthroscopic repair to stitch up the torn cartilage inside your joint. They may also remove a small portion of the damaged meniscus to help alleviate pain. Surgery for complete meniscus removal is your last resort and the only way to get permanent relief from the pain and inflammation.

Physical therapy is another non-surgical treatment used to strengthen the muscles around the torn meniscus. It improves your range of motion and stabilizes your knee. Therapy includes different exercises to improve the functioning of your knee and ensure muscle flexibility. Therapy is also used for preventing another muscle injury.

When to See a Doctor : A torn meniscus will start showing symptoms a few hours after you’ve sustained a knee injury. You will be unable to straighten or bend your knee like usual. A swollen knee, inflammation in the surrounding tissues, and pain that persists are a few common signs of a torn meniscus. See an orthopedic surgeon in Thane if you notice these symptoms. A torn meniscus can lead to complications if left unaddressed.

source: https://boneandjointcare.co.in/torn-meniscus-do-i-need-surgery/

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