Meniscus Tear Treatment in Middle Tennessee
Care for a Torn Meniscus and Knee Pain
A sudden twist of the knee can quickly turn a normal step, workout, or game into a painful problem. One injury that can result from this type of movement is a meniscus tear. Meniscus injuries can also develop through changes in the knee that occur over time, sometimes without a single memorable injury.
Tennessee Orthopaedics Alliance provides care for meniscus tears and other knee injuries across Middle Tennessee. If knee pain, swelling, or catching is limiting your activities, identifying the source of the problem can help guide treatment and get you moving more comfortably.
What Is a Meniscus Tear?
The menisci are two pieces of cartilage located between the thighbone and shinbone in each knee. They help cushion the joint and distribute forces across the knee.
A meniscus can tear when the knee twists or rotates, particularly when the foot remains planted. Sports and other activities that involve quick changes in direction may lead to this injury. Meniscus tissue can also become more vulnerable to tearing with age.
Signs of a torn meniscus may include:
- Knee pain or tenderness
- Swelling or stiffness
- Catching or locking within the knee
- Difficulty fully bending or straightening the leg
- A feeling that the knee may give way
- Discomfort when twisting or rotating the knee
Symptoms vary depending on the location and extent of the tear. Since other knee injuries can produce similar problems, determining the source of your symptoms is important before deciding how to treat them.
How Is a Meniscus Tear Treated?
A torn meniscus does not always require surgery. Treatment depends on factors such as the type and location of the tear, your symptoms, activity level, and the overall condition of your knee.
For some patients, nonsurgical care may include rest, activity changes, medication, physical therapy, and exercises designed to improve strength and movement. Your orthopedic specialist can determine which options make sense for your particular injury.
Surgery may be considered when symptoms remain troublesome despite conservative care or when the characteristics of the tear make an operation appropriate. If surgery is recommended, your specialist can discuss the procedure and recovery process with you.
Meniscus Tear Treatment in Middle Tennessee
For patients dealing with a possible torn meniscus, Tennessee Orthopaedics Alliance offers evaluation and treatment for knee injuries throughout Middle Tennessee. Schedule an appointment to find out what may be causing your knee symptoms and which treatment options may help.
Our Knee Specialists
Meniscus Tear Frequently Asked Questions
Can you walk with a torn meniscus?
Some people are still able to walk after tearing a meniscus. Pain, swelling, stiffness, or instability may develop or become more noticeable afterward. Being able to walk does not rule out a meniscus injury.
Does a torn meniscus heal on its own?
Some tears have greater potential to heal than others. The location, type, and extent of the injury can influence healing and treatment recommendations.
How is a meniscus tear diagnosed?
Diagnosis typically includes discussing how your symptoms started and examining the knee. Imaging may also be used when appropriate to better evaluate the injury.
Does every meniscus tear need surgery?
No. Nonsurgical treatment may be appropriate for some meniscus tears. Surgery is considered based on the individual injury and how symptoms respond to other treatments.
When should knee pain be evaluated?
Consider seeing an orthopedic specialist when knee pain or swelling persists, the knee catches or locks, movement becomes limited, or the joint feels unstable.
