Meniscus Tear Treatment

Meniscus Tear Treatment in Hoover and Birmingham, Alabama

The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage in the knee that acts as a shock absorber between the shinbone and thighbone. It helps to stabilize the knee and distribute stress evenly across the joint. There are two menisci in each knee: the medial meniscus on the inside and the lateral meniscus on the outside.

Meniscus tears are a common knee injury that requires treatment from an orthopedic or sports medicine specialist. Southlake Orthopaedics performs arthroscopic meniscus repair for medial and lateral meniscus tears at our locations in Hoover and Birmingham-Grandview, AL. Discover more about our meniscus tear offerings and how care from our board-certified knee specialists helps patients throughout central Alabama achieve less pain, more living.

What Are Meniscus Tears?

Meniscus tears are among the most-seen knee injuries, and they can occur when the knee is bent and the upper leg twists or turns while the foot is planted. Although this type of knee injury is more commonly seen in athletes, anyone can experience a torn meniscus. That’s because the menisci can become worn down as a person ages, leading to the possibility of tears. Patients who endure a meniscus tear often notice a popping sound when it happens.

Torn Meniscus Symptoms

Symptoms of a torn meniscus can vary for each person. In some cases, it can take up to 24 hours for a person to experience symptoms associated with a meniscus tear, especially if the tear is minor. The most common signs and symptoms of a torn meniscus include:

Pain in the knee, especially when performing a twisting or rotating motion
Swelling around the knee or stiffness
Inability to straighten or bend the knee joint
Feeling the knee joint lock into place when attempting to move it
Limping
Feeling the knee give away

Symptoms of a meniscus tear resemble other common knee injuries, such as ligament tears. Therefore, patients must consult an orthopedic specialist to uncover the underlying issue and receive the correct care.

Arthroscopic Meniscus Repair

If the knee doesn’t respond to conservative treatment and symptoms are hindering quality of life, physicians may conclude that surgery is the most appropriate treatment option. Our team performs arthroscopic meniscus repair at our state-of-the-art surgery centers in Hoover and Birmingham-Grandview, AL.

The minimally invasive outpatient surgical procedure involves making a few small incisions in the knee to insert a tiny camera called an arthroscope. The knee surgeon will then use specialized instruments to repair the torn meniscus. This surgical method results in less pain, less damage to surrounding areas, and a faster recovery time.

Meniscus Tear Treatment at Southlake Orthopaedics

Patients choose Southlake Orthopaedics because of the outstanding level of care they receive from our board-certified orthopedic knee specialists. Our highly qualified knee physicians include:

Dedicated to your well-being, our physicians provide complete orthopedic care from diagnosis to rehabilitation and everything in between. When treating a person suspected of having a torn meniscus, our team administers the necessary testing to correctly determine the type of knee injury. This allows physicians to ensure patients receive suitable care to achieve a desirable outcome. Once it’s determined a person has sustained a torn meniscus, our team of orthopedic specialists will discuss treatment options with patients. Many meniscus tears can be treated without surgery, especially minimal tears or degenerative tears in older people. A conservative approach to treating a tear may include rest, cold therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, or physical therapy.

Schedule to Meet With a Board-Certified Orthopedic Specialist

Knee injuries can cause debilitating symptoms that prevent you from participating in the activities you love. To help you experience less pain, more living, Southlake Orthopaedics is proud to offer comprehensive knee care. Our team of board-certified orthopedic knee specialists has expertise in managing and treating a range of injuries involving the knee, including medial and lateral meniscus tears. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to meet with a physician at our Hoover or Birmingham-Grandview, AL, offices.

Meniscus Tear Treatment

Meniscus Tear Treatment in Hoover and Birmingham, Alabama

What Are Meniscus Tears?

Torn Meniscus Symptoms

Arthroscopic Meniscus Repair

Meniscus Tear Treatment at Southlake Orthopaedics

Schedule to Meet With a Board-Certified Orthopedic Specialist

Connect with us

what we do

Osteoporosis Clinic

HOOVER

BIRMINGHAM-GRANDVIEW