How is torn meniscus-torn knee cartilage treated?
When a torn meniscus is diagnosed but the knee is not locked and the patient cannot identify a specific incident associated with the onset of pain, the pain can be treated initially with over the counter pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. The patient should avoid pivoting and squatting and should work on keeping Quadriceps muscles strong. If the swelling and pain have not resolved in 6 weeks , they usually won’t without surgical intervention. A traumatically torn meniscus usually requires arthroscopic surgical treatment. This minimally invasive surgical treatment involves either removing or repairing the torn segment of meniscus using an arthroscope. Because only the outer 1/4-1/5 of the meniscus has blood supply, repairs are successful when the tear occurs in this vascular region of the meniscus. Tears in the non-vascular region are unlikely to heal and therefore are removed. In the case of a degenerative meniscal tear associated with osteoarthritis, the expected out
