ACL tear

Discuss treatment plans for a torn meniscus with your orthopedist."

The lead author of this study review was Moin Khan, MD, from the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The review included seven studies that compared arthroscopic surgery with non-operative treatments in patients with degenerative meniscal tears and mild or no osteoarthritis present with the knee pain. The meniscus is a soft piece of cartilage that sits between the thigh and leg bones in the knee. It helps reduce friction between the bones and aids in movement.As people age, the meniscus often wears down and becomes less flexible, putting it at risk for tearing. When the meniscus tears, it can cause pain and reduce functionality of the knee.

Joseph Yu, MD, owner and founder of Total Sports Medicine & Orthopedics in Las Vegas, NV, explained to dailyRx News when surgery is and is not recommended for a meniscus tear. "Usually, patients with meniscus tears fall into three groups. In the first group, a patient might have a small meniscus tear which is not causing significant pain. In my opinion, a non-painful meniscus tears do not need surgery. Mild pain can be treated with non-surgical approaches," Dr. Yu said.

"In the second group, there are other conditions which may also be causing pain in the knee. Arthritis is another common cause of knee pain. When I evaluate a patient, I try to estimate the pain caused by each pathology. For example, I might tell a patient 75 percent of her knee pain is caused by arthritis and 25 percent of the pain is caused by the meniscus. Therefore, an arthroscopic procedure aimed at treating the meniscus might only give her 25 percent pain relief," Dr. Yu explained.

"In the third group, a the meniscus tear is causing pain and disability. Arthroscopic surgery is recommended for a meniscus tear when the pain prevents someone from being active. Most of the times, the tears are removed. In rare cases, the tears are repaired," he said. "In the right circumstance, surgery can definitely improve function and diminish pain. Every treatment regimen is individualized for the patient's specific condition. See more ....!