When Is Knee Surgery for a Meniscus Tear Your Best Option?

Knee pain is a common complaint. If your knee feels unstable, it could be a meniscus tear.  

Your meniscus is a piece of tough cartilage that forms a C-shaped cushion around your knee. It keeps your bones from grinding together. 

Your meniscus sits between your femur, or thigh bone, and your shin bone below the knee joint. A tear can happen from acute trauma like a fall or other accident, or gradual degenerative changes that come with aging. 

Our board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Jonathan Shults with Coastal Empire Orthopedics, treats many meniscus tears conservatively, but sometimes surgery is needed. When is it your best option? 

Factors involved in deciding on surgery for a meniscus tear

The decision to operate on a meniscus tear depends on several factors: where the tear is located, its severity and size, and your age and activity level. 

Location of meniscus tear 

If you’ve torn the outside of your meniscus, you may not need surgery. This part of your meniscus has enough of a blood supply to heal. However, if the tear has entered the inner part of the meniscus near the center of your knee joint, it needs to be repaired surgically or removed. That part of your meniscus has little or no blood supply. 

Severity and size of tear

If you have a large, severe tear, you’ll need surgery to ease your pain. The damaged part of the cartilage needs to be removed. 

Age and activity level 

If you’re a senior, don’t play competitive sports, and your tear is due to degenerative changes, you may not need surgery. Your meniscus tear can likely be treated conservatively if it’s not severe. 

On the other hand, if you play competitive sports and enjoy vigorous physical activity such as running, a moderate or severe tear usually requires surgery to ensure your knee is stable. 

Conservative treatment for meniscus tears

You’ll use the RICE method at home, along with anti-inflammatory medication. Once initial inflammation subsides, physical therapy helps you regain range of motion and strength in your knee joint. Dr. Shults likely recommends a knee brace when you’re involved in physical activity. 

Surgery for a meniscus tear

If you’re still in pain when you move your knee after physical therapy, Dr. Shults can perform arthroscopic surgery. You may only need cartilage repair. In that case, Dr. Shults sutures the torn cartilage together. It’s a simple procedure.

If part of your meniscus is too damaged to save, Dr. Shults removes that part, leaving healthy tissue during a partial meniscectomy. In rare cases, your meniscus may need to be replaced with donor material. 

If you have knee pain, call Coastal Empire Orthopedics or book an appointment through our online portal today.