Meniscal Surgeon in Oceanside, CA; Carlsbad, CA; and Vista, CA
Athletes, especially those involved in contact sports, are at risk of meniscus tears due to trauma (sudden bend or twist in the knee). Degenerative meniscal tears are common in the elderly due to age factor. OSNC Orthopedic Specialists of North County, provides diagnosis and individualized non-operative and operative treatment plans in Oceanside, CA; Carlsbad, CA; and Vista, CA. OSNC Orthopedic Specialists of North County also provides highly specialized care during and after the surgery. Contact OSNC Orthopedic Specialists of North County’s office for an appointment today!
What is Meniscal Surgery?
Meniscal surgery is a surgical procedure employed for the treatment of torn or damaged meniscal tissues in the knee. It is mostly performed as a minimally invasive keyhole procedure.
Anatomy of the Meniscus
Two wedge-shaped cartilage pieces are present between the thighbone and the shinbone. These are called menisci. They stabilize the knee joint and act as shock absorbers.
What are Meniscal Tears?
A meniscus tear is the commonest knee injury in athletes, especially those involved in contact sports. A sudden bend or twist in your knee can cause the meniscus to tear. This is a traumatic meniscal tear. The elderly are more prone to degenerative meniscal tears as the cartilage wears out and weakens with age.
Symptoms of Meniscal Tears
A torn meniscus causes pain, swelling, stiffness, catching or locking sensation in your knee, making you unable to move your knee through its complete range of motion.
Diagnosis of Meniscal Tears
Your orthopedic surgeon will examine your knee, evaluate your symptoms and medical history before suggesting a treatment plan.
Treatment of Meniscal Tears
The treatment of a meniscal tear depends on the type, size, and location of the tear, as well as your age and activity level. If the tear is small, with damage limited to the outer edge of the meniscus, non-surgical treatment may be sufficient. However, if the symptoms do not resolve with non-surgical treatment, surgical treatment may be recommended.
Surgical Treatment of Meniscal Tears
Knee arthroscopy is the commonly recommended surgical procedure for meniscal tears. The surgical treatment options include:
- Meniscus removal (meniscectomy)
- Meniscus repair
- Meniscus replacement
Surgery can be performed using arthroscopy where a small camera will be inserted through a small incision, which enables your surgeon to view the inside of your knee on a large screen.
The surgery will be performed through other small incisions. During meniscectomy, small instruments called shavers or scissors may be used to remove the torn meniscus.
In arthroscopic meniscus repair, the torn meniscus will be pinned or sutured depending on the extent of the tear.
Meniscus replacement or transplantation involves the replacement of a torn cartilage with the cartilage obtained from a donor or a cultured patch obtained from the laboratory. It is considered as a treatment option to relieve knee pain if you have undergone meniscectomy.
If you would like to have additional information on meniscal tears or would like to learn more about meniscal surgery, please contact OSNC Orthopedic Specialists of North County, serving the communities of Oceanside, CA; Carlsbad, CA; and Vista, CA.