We have a figure-8 cartilage structure that lays between the end of the thigh bone (femur) and on top of the shin bone (tibia). They act like shock absorbers for your bones and stabilize your knee. If you tear your meniscus, your leg might swell and feel stiff, or you might feel pain when twisting your knee or have difficulty straightening your leg.
One of the common symptoms of a meniscal tear includes the knee feeling like it wants to buckle or lock while walking or doing other activities. Also you may experience a very sharp stabbing pain on the inside or outside of the knee when this ocurs. Many patients relate to me that their symptoms ‘come and go for a long period of time but it never goes away.’
If you have been diagnosed with a torn meniscus and are in chronic pain, here are some *treatment services offered by Dr. Robert Ference. These more advanced options may apply after more conservative treatments such as physical therapy, bracing, and medications are not helping ease your symptoms.
*This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of treatment services; Dr. Ference may recommend other options during your in-office consultation where you can discuss your goals for recovery and receive a thorough examination. If you would like to discuss your condition, please make an appointment.
Arthroscopy (‘scoping’)
Knee arthroscopy — sometimes called knee scoping — is a minimally invasive medical procedure used on the knee joint to diagnose and treat meniscus tears and ACL tears. It’s performed under anesthesia at a hospital using an arthroscope, which is a tiny surgical instrument with a light and camera at the end that is inserted into the knee. Scoping helps the surgeon clean up the diseased cartilage, known as chondromalacia.
Arthroscopic meniscus repairs are done in a surgery center or a hospital surgical room. The procedures are considered a low-risk surgery and complications are rare.
An arthroscopic partial meniscectomy means Dr. Ference will remove a piece of the torn meniscus so your knee can more normally function.
An arthroscopy total meniscectomy would be used to remove the entire mensicus.