Because your knee is the largest joint in your body, and one of the most complex meniscus tears can be common. Dr. Karsch at Premier Orthopaedic offers over 20 years of experience in treating for meniscus tears for patients from the communities of Northern Atlanta, with an office in Sandy Springs, Georgia.
Because the knee is so complex it is vulnerable to injury. Meniscal tears are among the most common injuries of the knee injuries. The meniscus is a rubbery, C-shaped disc that cushions your knee. If the meniscus tears it can prevent your knee from working right. Athletes are at a higher risk for meniscus tears due to sudden impact or twisting. However, anyone at any age can tear a meniscus. Older people are more likely to develop degenerative meniscal tears where the cartilage weakens and wears thin over time. With a torn meniscus you may experience any of the following symptoms:
How your orthopaedic surgeon treats your meniscus tear will depend on several factors. Things such as the type of tear, where the tear is, how serious it is, your age, and type of physical activity you’re involved in will all be contributing factors to the type of treatment. Along with the type of tear you have, any related injuries will factor into your treatment plan. Most often, when an athlete experiences a meniscus tear it can be accompanied by other injuries to the knee. If your tear is small, it may not require surgical repair. The RICE protocol (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) combined with non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medicines will pain and swelling. However, if your pain doesn’t respond to conservative treatments knee arthroscopy is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures. Knee arthroscopy uses miniature surgical instruments to trim or repair the tear.
If surgery was necessary, your doctor may put your knee in a cast or brace to keep it stabilized. Once healing is complete, rehabilitation exercises to restore your knee mobility and strength is necessary. Meniscal tears are extremely common knee injuries. With proper diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, patients often return to their pre-injury abilities.
Please call the office for questions regarding billing and insurance. We accept most insurance plans that do not require a referral from a Primary Care Physician and will do our best to inform you of your co-pays, deductibles, and network participation. We do not accept any form of Medicaid or Tricare. We are pleased to offer CareCredit as a payment option.