Do you need surgery for a torn meniscus?

Do you need surgery for a torn meniscus?

A tear that gives you a lot of pain or impairs use of your knee may require surgery to remove or repair the torn part of the meniscus. Complex tears usually require surgery to trim the damaged part of the meniscus.

What is the meniscus in your leg?

The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of tough, rubbery cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your shinbone and thighbone. It can be torn if you suddenly twist your knee while bearing weight on it. A torn meniscus is one of the most common knee injuries.

How do you fix meniscus?

If the tear can’t be repaired, the meniscus might be surgically trimmed, possibly through tiny incisions using an arthroscope. After surgery, you will need to do exercises to increase and maintain knee strength and stability. If you have advanced, degenerative arthritis, your doctor might recommend a knee replacement.

When should you have surgery for a torn meniscus?

If you have a moderate to large tear at the outer edge of the meniscus (red zone), you may want to think about surgery. These kinds of tears tend to heal well after surgery. If you have a tear that spreads from the red zone into the inner two-thirds of the meniscus (called the white zone ), your decision is harder.

How can you tell the difference between a meniscus tear and arthritis?

The biggest difference between arthritis and a torn meniscus is whether the pain developed over time or following an injury. If your knee pain increases gradually and cannot be placed back to a specific injury you may have arthritis. If your knee pain arose suddenly, you may have a meniscus tear.

Is it good to walk on a torn meniscus?

A torn meniscus usually produces well-localized pain in the knee. The pain often is worse during twisting or squatting motions. Unless the torn meniscus has locked the knee, many people with a torn meniscus can walk, stand, sit, and sleep without pain.

Is walking good for meniscus tear?