Just another iHealthSpot WP02 site

Brett Gilbert, MD

CALL TODAY: (919) 788-8797

PATIENT PORTAL
REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT
MENUMENU
  • Home
  • Meet Dr. Gilbert
  • Conditions We Treat
  • Treatment Options
    • Hip Replacement
    • Knee Replacement
    • Partial Knee Replacement
    • MAKOplasty Robotic-Assisted Joint Replacement
    • Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
    • Revision Hip & Knee Replacement
    • Outpatient Joint Replacement
  • Second Opinion
  • Our Blog
  • Contact & Locations
    • Raleigh, NC
    • Apex, NC
    • Durham, NC
  • Patient Portal

Treating a Torn Meniscus Without Surgery

December 23, 2020

Even if you already know that you have knee arthritis, new knee pain can mean a new problem. If you are experiencing a popping in the joint, or it’s locking, then you might also have an injury to your meniscus – which is a moon-shaped section of cartilage in your knee that is an extra cushion between the ends of the bones.

The only way you will know if your meniscus is torn, or whether the pain is being caused by something else, is to have your knee evaluated by a medical expert. Orthopedic surgeons are experts in diagnosing and treating problems with the bones, joints, and muscles, so this is the type of specialist to see as soon as possible if your knee is bothering you.  After an x-ray to rule out severe knee arthritis, as well as a careful physical exam and history taking, your doctor may ask you to do more tests like an MRI to see the internal structure of the knee.

Orthopedic surgeons don’t only perform surgery. Indeed, they are the ones who are best equipped to determine and provide the least-invasive treatment possible for your musculoskeletal issue. In the meantime, let’s talk about a few things you should know to help you understand meniscal tears and their possible treatments:

Your Knees and Your Menisci 

The knee is a hinge joint. If you imagine a door hinge, you know that it works via two-way movement, just as your knee can extend forward and bend back.

Every joint in your body is made up of bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and other tissues and fluids. Inside the knee joint, the bottom of the thighbone (the femur, which is in your upper leg) meets the top of one of the lower leg bones (the tibia), and they work together like a hinge. In the meantime, the kneecap glides along the bottom and front of the femur, protecting the knee and increasing the strength in your leg.

Inside the joint, cartilage helps the bones glide smoothly and also acts as a shock absorber when walking or running. The meniscus is actually a separate, thick pad of cartilage between the femur and the tibia, and each knee has two menisci – one on the inside of the knee and one on the outer side.

The menisci play a very important function of protecting and stabilizing the joint and for smooth movement. If it is torn, your knee will be less stable and may feel like it’s not moving correctly. Other symptoms might include pain, swelling, popping, or locking.

Nonsurgical Treatment for a Torn Meniscus

Your orthopedic doctor will consider your precise symptoms before deciding whether conservative (nonsurgical) treatment will work and will also factor in if your knee has worsening arthritis too. Symptoms can vary, and some people may start noticing that something wrong with their knee right away after an injury, or possibly not until sometime later.  Patients may have a lot of swelling or none at all. Also, some patients with a meniscus tear can move their knee without pain, while others may have more symptoms when the knee is really flexed.  Regardless of your symptoms or the pattern of your injury, some patients may be good candidates for nonsurgical treatment.

Initially, you will need to rest the knee and avoid participating in strenuous activities or performing movements that put a lot of stress on the joint, such as squatting, kneeling, twisting, jogging, dancing, or walking up or down the stairs. You should try to keep your knee elevated, and ice it carefully. Note: Be sure to wrap a towel around the ice pack so there is no direct contact with your skin. You may also benefit from a knee brace, special shoe inserts, and/or crutches at first.

As your knee pain begins to improve, physical therapy and therapeutic exercises will begin. Expect to do straight leg raises to strengthen the muscles that support the knee. Eventually, light weights can be added to these exercises, but follow the advice of your therapist and orthopedic doctor.

The whole goal of physical therapy exercises is to strengthen the muscles that support the knee.   If your meniscus tear is complicated by arthritis, your orthopedic surgeon may also be able to use therapeutic injections to improve recovery and pain.

Your general health, age, and type of meniscus injury will determine how long it will take to recover. Follow your orthopedist’s advice, and hopefully, you’ll be back on your feet as soon as possible.

Orthopedic Doctor in the Triangle

If you are having chronic knee pain, problems walking or climbing stairs, or any other issues with your bones or muscles, it may be time to schedule a consultation with Dr. Brett Gilbert. Dr. Gilbert is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who is highly qualified to address your musculoskeletal needs. He and his friendly team are here to answer your questions and to provide relief from your pain efficiently and effectively.

To request a consultation with Dr. Gilbert, please call our office today at (919) 788-8797 or request an appointment online, and let us help you get on the move again.

Filed Under: General, Knee Surgery Tagged With: joint replacement, Knee Arthritis, Knee arthroscopy, Knee Osteoarthritis, knee pain, Knee Revision Surgery, knee surgeon near me, orthopedic surgeon near me, Orthopedic Surgeon Raleigh, Orthopedist in North Carolina

Primary Sidebar

REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT

Get the orthopedic care you need – contact us today!

TREATMENTS

Dr. Brett Gilbert provides effective orthopedic care for a wide variety of hip and knee conditions, using state-of-the-art technology and board-certified expertise.

ABOUT DR. GILBERT

 

A board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Brett Gilbert specializes in minimally invasive and muscle-sparing hip and knee replacements, and a wide range of treatment options for hip and knee arthritis in several cities across North Carolina.

Recent Posts

  • What is Hip Replacement Surgery? What You Need To Know
  • Patient’s Guide To MAKOplasty Robotic Knee Replacement
  • What is Knee Replacement Surgery? Understanding the Procedure
  • 5 Things To Know About MAKOplasty Joint Replacement
  • What is Recovery from Total Hip Replacement Surgery Like?

Archives

Categories

  • Dr. Brett Gilbert
  • General
  • Hip Arthritis
  • Hip Replacement
  • Joint Replacement
  • Knee Arthritis
  • Knee Replacement
  • Knee Surgery
  • MAKOplasty
  • Meniscus Tear
  • Orthopedic Surgeon
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Outpatient Total Joint Replacement
  • Revision Surgery

Footer

  • Home
  • Dr. Brett Gilbert Orthopedic Surgeon, Hip & Knee Replacement
  • Conditions We Treat
  • Treatment Options
  • Second Opinion
  • Contact & Locations
  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility Statement
  • HIPAA Privacy Policy

OUR LOCATIONS

Serving patients throughout North Carolina with conveniently located offices in Raleigh, Apex, and Brier Creek.

3100 Duraleigh Road, Raleigh, NC 27612

910 West Williams Street, Apex, NC 27502

7850 Brier Creek Parkway, Raleigh, NC 27617

AAHKS ABOS

Copyright © · Dr. Brett J. Gilbert, MD · All rights reserved.

iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

Dr. Brett J. Gilbert is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with three offices located throughout the Triangle region of North Carolina. Dr. Gilbert specializes in the treatment of hip and knee arthritis, as well as revision surgery, arthroscopic knee surgery, MAKOplasty, partial and total knee replacement, and outpatient joint replacement.

  • Home
  • Meet Dr. Gilbert
  • Conditions We Treat
  • Treatment Options
    • Hip Replacement
    • Knee Replacement
    • Partial Knee Replacement
    • MAKOplasty Robotic-Assisted Joint Replacement
    • Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
    • Revision Hip & Knee Replacement
    • Outpatient Joint Replacement
    • Back
  • Second Opinion
  • Our Blog
  • Contact & Locations
    • Raleigh, NC
    • Apex, NC
    • Durham, NC
    • Back
  • Patient Portal