meniscus tear
Injuries don’t keep office hours. When its urgent, get diagnosed and recover fast when you go straight to the orthopedic experts with Ortho After Hours.
As premier hip and knee replacement surgeons in Charleston, SC, Dr. Zimlich and Dr. Stem alleviate patient pain and discomfort using innovative techniques and technologies. Concentrating exclusively on knee and hip replacement, the Lowcountry Orthopaedics Hip and Knee Specialists operate at the Lowcountry Orthopaedics Surgery Center and area hospitals per patient preference.
Top rated for eight years in a row as Charleston’s Choice for best orthopedic surgeons, countless of satisfied patients walk away with a pain free, natural feeling knee or hip. From custom total knee arthroplasty using 3D printing to the area’s first and only outpatient surgery center based robotic knee replacement program, patients trust Lowcountry Orthopaedics Hip and Knee Specialists.
Signature services include:
- Custom total knee arthroplasty using 3D printing
- Same day robotic knee replacement program
- Personalized joint replacement experience
- Dedicated team of nurses, physician assistants, and physical therapists
- Proven outcomes for quick recovery and pain-free lives
Same day appointments are available at one of our convenient North Charleston, Summerville, or Daniel Island locations.
Causes
Sudden meniscal tears often happen during sports. Players may squat and twist the knee, causing a tear. Direct contact, like a tackle, is sometimes involved.
Older people are more likely to have degenerative meniscal tears. Cartilage weakens and wears thin over time. Aged, worn tissue is more prone to tears. Just an awkward twist when getting up from a chair may be enough to cause a tear if the menisci have weakened with age.
Symptoms
You might feel a “pop” when you tear a meniscus. Most people can still walk on their injured knee. Many athletes keep playing with a tear. Over 2 to 3 days, your knee will gradually become stiffer and swollen.
The most common symptoms of meniscal tear are:
- Pain
- Stiffness and swelling
- Catching or locking of your knee
- The sensation of your knee “giving way”
- You are not able to move your knee through its full range of motion
Without treatment, a piece of meniscus may come loose and drift into the joint. This can cause your knee to slip, pop or lock.
Physican Exam & Patient History
After discussing your symptoms and medical history, your doctor will examine your knee. He or she will check for tenderness along the joint line where the meniscus sits. This often signals a tear.
One of the main tests for meniscal tears is the McMurray test. Your doctor will bend your knee, then straighten and rotate it. This puts tension on a torn meniscus. If you have a meniscal tear, this movement will cause a clicking sound. Your knee will click each time your doctor does the test.
Imaging Tests
Because other knee problems cause similar symptoms, your doctor may order imaging tests to help confirm the diagnosis.
- X-rays. Although X-rays do not show meniscal tears, they may show other causes of knee pain, such as osteoarthritis.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This study can create better images of the soft tissues of your knee joint.
How your orthopedic surgeon treats your tear will depend on the type of tear you have, its size, and location.
Nonsurgical Treatment
If your tear is small and on the outer edge of the meniscus, it may not require surgical repair. As long as your symptoms do not persist and your knee is stable, nonsurgical treatment may be all you need.
RICE. The RICE protocol is effective for most sports-related injuries. RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.
- Rest. Take a break from the activity that caused the injury. Your doctor may recommend that you use crutches.
- Ice. Use cold packs for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. Do not apply ice directly to the skin.
- Compression. To prevent additional swelling and blood loss, wear an elastic compression bandage.
- Elevation. To reduce swelling, recline when you rest, and put your leg up higher than your heart.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines. Drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen reduce pain and swelling.
Surgical Treatment
If your symptoms persist with nonsurgical treatment, your doctor may suggest arthroscopic surgery.
Procedure. Knee arthroscopy is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures. In it, a miniature camera is inserted through a small incision. This provides a clear view of the inside of the knee. Your orthopedic surgeon inserts miniature surgical instruments through other small incisions to trim or repair the tear.
KNEE ARTHROSCOPY
Once the initial healing is complete, your doctor will prescribe rehabilitation exercises. Regular exercise to restore your knee mobility and strength is necessary. You will start with exercises to improve your range of motion. Strengthening exercises will gradually be added to your rehabilitation plan.
For the most part, rehabilitation can be carried out at home, although your doctor may recommend physical therapy.
Monday - Thursday 5pm to 7pm Saturday 8am to 12pm
No appointment necessary.
Call 843-266-4884 for information.
Lowcountry Orthopaedics’ Sports Medicine Team
James Spearman, MD
Sports Medicine
David Jaskwhich, MD
Sports Medicine
Adam Schaaf, MD
Sports Medicine
David Johannesmeyer, MD
Sports Medicine
Justin Runey, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Marty Covington, PA-C
Physician Assistant
John Swinton, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Hip & Knee Specialists
Fast forward to feeling better with Lowcountry Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine’s board-certified and fellowship-trained surgeons that specialize in joint reconstruction and hip and knee surgery.
Same Day Appointments
Same-Day Joint Replacement
The benefits of same-day total hip or knee replacement surgery include fast recovery, lower risk of infection, no risk of hospital-acquired illness, cost reduction, and increased patient satisfaction. Patients interested in same-day joint surgery should schedule an evaluation with Dr. Zimlich to review their medical profile for candidacy.