Is “Repair” of the Meniscus Being Advised Based on Noises From the Joint?
It is common for clicking & popping noises to develop in the joints after a joint injury. These noises have several different possible causes. The noises themselves are not necessarily an indication that there is meniscal injury, nor are these noises necessarily an indication that surgery is appropriate. But some surgeons will tell people that noises like this doubtlessly indicate a damaged meniscus and this means surgery is necessary. This is not true. Surgeons may say to clients that a surgical procedure is needed to “repair” the damaged meniscus. But in truth it is rare for any sort of repair to be attempted. The surgery that is contemplated is almost certainly a removal of all or part of the meniscus. Removal of all or part of the meniscus will inevitably result in greater arthritic changes in the joint in future. Therefore surgery to remove all or part of the meniscus should be done only reluctantly when symptoms like pain & locking up of the joint indicate meniscus damage which t
