When Is Surgery the Best Option for a Torn Meniscus?

Each of your knee joints contains two menisci — pieces of cartilage needed for knee function.

Meniscus tears are common sports injuries and can occur whenever your knee joint turns or twists rapidly under stress. Age and degeneration also increase your risk of this type of injury.

After a meniscus tear, you may experience knee pain and instability. This type of injury needs the right treatment to heal. At Twin Palm Orthopedics in Ocala, Florida, our orthopedic surgery experts can evaluate your knee and recommend the right treatment plan to restore and stabilize the joint.

Orthopedic surgeons Dr. Derek Farr and Dr. Nirav Gupta typically suggest surgery when knee discomfort impacts your daily life. Could you benefit from this procedure? Here’s what you need to know about surgery for a torn meniscus.

Repairing your torn meniscus

In some cases, you may be able to relieve discomfort related to a torn meniscus using conservative treatment approaches like icing, physical therapy, or targeted knee injections. But, without surgical treatment, the injured cartilage can cause your knee to buckle or lock up.

Depending on the severity and location of the tear, as well as factors like your age, activity levels, and lifestyle, surgical treatment could be best for you. After meniscus repair surgery, you enjoy reduced pain and restored stability. Surgery also lowers your risk of arthritis in the affected joint in the future.

You may need surgery due to a severe tear. Or, you might opt for meniscus repair surgery if you want to ensure your knee’s stability. If you want to get back to sports, surgery may be your best bet. Talk to our team at Twin Palm Orthopedics about your lifestyle so we can help determine if surgery is the right choice for you.

The benefits of minimally invasive surgery

At Twin Palm Orthopedics, we offer minimally invasive meniscus surgery to reduce your risks of complications, as well as the length of your post-surgery recovery period.

We rely on a small camera known as an arthroscope to allow us to operate through small incisions. After repairing or removing the damaged cartilage in your knee, our team closes your incisions using stitches or surgical strips. The surgery takes about an hour to complete.

It takes about 4-6 weeks to recover from meniscus repair surgery. Our team offers guidance on preparation before your procedure and information on what you can expect during recovery.

Could you be a candidate?

We start by reviewing your symptoms and medical history, along with examining the affected knee joint. Diagnostic imaging and blood tests can help us learn more about your condition.

If you have knee pain related to a meniscus injury, get in touch today to find out if you are a candidate for surgical treatment. With the right care, you can resolve your knee pain and enjoy increased mobility for years to come.

Schedule your initial consultation appointment with our team at Twin Palm Orthopedics by calling us now, or request your appointment online.