MedStar Health knee specialists offer advanced arthroscopic meniscus repair. Our comprehensive knee care includes the most advanced physical therapy to help you regain strength in your knee and restore your range of motion. No matter how simple or complex your meniscus injury, our experienced orthopedic knee surgeons at MedStar Health will offer you a successful solution. In addition, our physicians collaborate with other specialists to ensure that you have a safe and successful recovery after your treatment.
Medial Meniscus Injury
The medial meniscus is a c-shaped cartilage structure that is attached to the tibia and acts as a shock absorber for the knee.
What is a torn meniscus?
The knee meniscus is a piece of cartilage that serves as a shock absorber between the ends of the leg bones. The knee meniscus also helps lubricate the joint and distributes body weight across the joint. Meniscal tears are typically caused by twisting or hyperflexing the joint. These tears can also be part of the normal degenerative processes caused by aging. Occasionally, these tears may occur simultaneously with an ACL injury.
What causes a meniscus injury?
In many cases, a meniscus injury occurs during sports or other physical activity. However, it can also occur during simple movements, especially in older adults. Some of the most common causes of a meniscus tear include:
- Lifting weights
- Turning or twisting suddenly
- Playing sports
What are the symptoms of a meniscus injury?
An injured meniscus requires diagnosis and care from an orthopedic specialist. Some of the most immediate symptoms that warrant a visit to MedStar Health include:
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Knee pain in the side or center of the knee
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Swelling
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Clicking sound or feeling in the knee
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Inability to fully straighten the knee
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Knee “giving out”
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Stiffness
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Knee pain that comes and goes over time
How is a meniscus injury diagnosed?
The orthopedic surgeons at MedStar Health are experts at diagnosing meniscal injuries. Our initial exam generally includes:
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Medical history evaluation–This includes asking questions about how long you have had the pain, the cause of the pain, and what the pain feels like
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Physical exam–Your orthopedist will examine your knee and check for signs of a meniscal injury
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Imaging tests–An X-ray exam helps to rule out the presence of other problems, including arthritis or other bone problems. Your surgeon may also order an MRI
What are the best torn meniscus treatment options?
Most meniscal tears may be treated with conservative therapies, in addition to self-care. The following non-surgical options are recommended for minor meniscus injuries:
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Rest
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Ice
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Compression
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Elevation
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Physical therapy
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Strengthening exercises
More extensive injuries often require torn meniscus surgery to reattach the meniscus, replace it with donor cartilage, or remove it. At MedStar Health, most procedures can be performed using the minimally invasive arthroscopy techniques, such as arthroscopic meniscus repair surgery. This allows for shorter hospital stays and speedier recovery times.
Our providers
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Orthopedic Sports Medicine
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Emmanuel Asare O Atiemo, MD
Orthopedic Sports Medicine
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Emily T. Cha, MD
Orthopedic Sports Medicine
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James C. Dreese, MD
Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Sports Medicine
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Allison Liefeld Fillar, MD
Sports Medicine, Orthopedic Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Surgery
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Jason Wilson Hammond, MD
Sports Medicine, Orthopedic Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Surgery
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Daniel Mark Hampton, MD
Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Sports Medicine
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Richard Yarborough Hinton, MD
Pediatric Sports Medicine, Shoulder Orthopedic Surgery, Knee Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Sports Medicine
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John Anthony Kuri, MD
Orthopedic Sports Medicine
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Richard Gary Levine, MD
Knee Orthopedic Surgery, Shoulder Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Sports Medicine
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Christopher Alan Looze, MBBS
Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Sports Medicine
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Milford Howarth Marchant, MD
Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Sports Medicine & Sports Medicine
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Carter Wallace Mitchell, MD
Orthopedic Sports Medicine
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Ryan Stephen Murray, MD
Sports Medicine, Orthopedic Sports Medicine, Pediatric Sports Medicine & Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery
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Steven James Svoboda, MD
Orthopedic Sports Medicine
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Kenneth Benjamin Tepper, MD
Orthopedic Sports Medicine & Sports Medicine
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Melissa Ann Yadao, MD
Orthopedic Sports Medicine
Orthopedic Surgery
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Farhang Alaee, MD
Orthopedic Surgery
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Allison Liefeld Fillar, MD
Sports Medicine, Orthopedic Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Surgery
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Mark David Hasenauer, MD
Hip And Knee Orthopedic Surgery & Orthopedic Surgery
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Curtis Mitchell Henn, MD
Hand Surgery & Orthopedic Surgery
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Ryan M Jander, MD
Shoulder And Elbow Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery & Hand Surgery
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Bruce Knolmayer, MD
Orthopedic Surgery
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Milford Howarth Marchant, MD
Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Sports Medicine & Sports Medicine
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Stephen Theodore Michaels, MD
Orthopedic Surgery
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Thomas Milleret Ring, MD
Knee Orthopedic Surgery, Hip Orthopedic Surgery, Hip And Knee Orthopedic Surgery & Orthopedic Surgery
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Colleen Bauk Balkam, MD
Orthopedic Surgery
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Peter Shay Johnston, MD
Orthopedic Surgery
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Sanjog K. Mathur, MBBS
Orthopedic Surgery
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Charles Francis Mess, Jr., MD
Orthopedic Surgery
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Megan Rose Miles, MD
Orthopedic Surgery
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William Robert Volk, MD
Orthopedic Surgery
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Bo Zhang, MD
Orthopedic Surgery