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- Nonoperative and operative treatments available
- High success rate in treating Meniscus injuries, knee pain, and arthritis
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- Fellowship-trained and specialist in knee surgery
- Takes care of revision knee replacements and complex operations
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Content
Knee Anatomy – Menisci are Crucial to your Knees

Acute versus Degenerative Meniscus Tears – Understanding their Differences Helps with Figuring Out your Prognosis
Tear Patterns in Meniscus Injuries – Can you heal your meniscus tear?
Meniscus Injury Treatment – Repair or meniscectomy?
Meniscus Repair vs Meniscectomy
A meniscus repair involves suturing the tear and anchoring it to keep the meniscus in place. A meniscectomy removes the meniscus or the damaged part of the meniscus. For acute tears, surgeons choose one intervention over the other depending on the zone and type of tear. Acute tears (not degenerative) treated surgically generally have favorable outcomes. Regardless of repair or meniscectomy, roughly 90% of patients will return to sport or have a satisfaction rate of 90%.
Degenerative tears are harder to treat. Because there is no acute tear, meniscectomies are often more appropriate than meniscus repairs. However, meniscectomies are not 100% successful either. For example, only 20% of patients in one study with degenerative tears who underwent meniscectomy had satisfactory results. Therefore, managing degenerative tears is often a multi-prong strategy, often including physical therapy and pain management.
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions about Meniscus Injuries
(FAQ)
Usually. Walking is unlikely to cause further damage to your knee. A bucket-handle meniscus tear that is impinged may limit your ability to walk. Call to schedule an appointment if you are concerned at 808.439.6201.
Results are variable. Dr. Morton may offer you a steroid shot and a course of physical therapy. This is designed to help you improve your strength and reduce your inflammation. Usually, the pain can improve over the course of 1 to 2 months.
A large repairable tear untreated may go on to develop arthritis years later. Arthritis can be a serious problem and a source of debilitating pain. For patients who already have a degenerative tear, a torn meniscus may eventually become asymptomatic. If you continue to have symptoms, Dr. Morton can offer to remove the offending meniscus.
This depends on the size or location of the tear. A large tear causing impingement like a bucket-handle tear is less likely to heal on its own and is likely to need surgery. Small degenerative tears often will stop being symptomatic after a short period of conservative treatment.
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