Meniscus tears are often accompanied by an audible ‘pop’ and searing pain in the knee, followed by swelling and inflammation. There are plenty of ways you can tear your meniscus, from sports injuries to general wear-and-tear. If you’re experiencing knee pain after a sudden twist or pivot, there’s a good chance it’s caused by cartilage damage, which can typically be repaired by an orthopedic surgeon in San Francisco.
At The Institute for Arthroscopy & Sports Medicine in San Francisco, California, Dr. Jeffrey Halbrecht and his experienced team evaluate knee injuries, including tears to the meniscus. As a qualified knee surgeon in San Francisco, Dr. Helbrecht informs you if you need arthroscopic knee surgery to repair damage.
Your knee is a large and complex joint with many moving parts, including bones, tendons, and cartilage. The meniscus is a specific piece of cartilage that cushions your knee, absorbing shock when you run or jump.
There are a few different types of meniscus tears, including:
Meniscus tears are usually caused by a sudden pivot or twist, such as turning while landing from a jump, or trying to spin quickly on one leg. This usually occurs during sports, especially tennis, basketball, and volleyball.
Degeneration of the meniscus is often due to wear-and-tear. If the cartilage is already damaged and brittle, simply turning around to sit in a chair can cause an injury.
Cartilage can be difficult to heal, especially when it's located inside a joint. There’s no blood supply to these areas, and the continued stress of walking can aggravate the injury. This only leads to further inflammation and swelling, making your knee pain worse.
If you’ve recently suffered a meniscus tear, or suspect that you’ve torn something inside your knee, you should consult with a sports medicine doctor in San Francisco as soon as possible. A torn meniscus won’t heal normally without intervention, so the earlier you receive treatment, the better.
Once Dr. Halbrecht has had a chance to determine the severity of the tear, you can begin discussing your options. Surgery is usually the best possible option for meniscus injuries. All surgeries are done arthroscopically, which limits the invasiveness of the procedure and speeds up recovery. Dr. Halbrecht uses a meniscal allograft to replace damaged portions of your meniscus if you need more restoration.
Suspect you might have a meniscus tear? You can schedule a consultation with the team at IASM and get advice from Dr. Halbrecht, a respected knee doctor in San Francisco, by calling 415-230-3667, or book an appointment online.
