Meniscus Tear Treatment in Raleigh, NC
Wake Nonsurgical Ortho is Triangle’s first private practice solely dedicated to nonsurgical orthopedics. Duke-trained non-surgical orthopedic specialist, Dr. Matthew Kanaan, is dedicated to making sure that patients in Raleigh, Durham and Cary, NC receive access to non-surgical treatments for their orthopedic pain. He will take the time to answer any questions you may have so that he can determine the best treatment option for you. If you are currently suffering from a meniscus tear, contact our non-surgical orthopedic clinic at (919) 719-2270 and schedule an appointment today!
What is a Meniscus Tear?
Meniscus tears are among the most common knee injuries. Athletes, particularly those who play contact sports, are at risk for meniscal tears. However, anyone at any age can tear a meniscus.
Two wedge-shaped pieces of cartilage act as “shock absorbers” between your thighbone and shinbone. These are called the meniscus. They are tough and rubbery to help cushion the joint and keep it stable.
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.
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 more stiff and swollen.
What Are the Symptoms of a Meniscus Tear?
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.
How Does Dr. Kanaan Diagnose Patients With Meniscus Tear?
One of the main tests for meniscal tears is the McMurray test. Dr. Kanaan 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 Dr. Kanaan does the test.
Because other knee problems cause similar symptoms, Dr. Kanaan 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.
Ultrasound. At Wake Sports Medicine we can evaluate for a meniscus tear by looking into your joint for fluid, and also looking at the peripheral edge of the meniscus.
Nonsurgical Meniscus Tear 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 treatments, like injections for meniscus tear etc., may be all you need.
Here are the treatments that we initially recommend for a meniscus tear:
1. A good brace
2. Oral NSAIDS
3. ICE and rest
4. Sometimes injections for a meniscus tear into the joint can help a great deal.
5. PRP , Platelet-rich plasma therapy has shown to be effective in treating a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including meniscal injury and supplementary treatment of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. In studies patients undergoing meniscus tear repairs, augmenting with platelet-rich plasma injections was found to be significantly more effective than placebo injections in reducing pain and decreasing failure rates.
Schedule an Appointment for Meniscus Tear Treatment in Raleigh, NC
Dr. Kanaan is highly trained at diagnosing and treating IT Band Syndrome. He will discover the best treatment option for you. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact our non-surgical orthopedic clinic in Raleigh, NC at (919) 719-2270.