What is the treatment for a torn meniscus?
If the torn meniscus is recent, often conservative treatment (anti-inflammatories, ice, rest) for 2 to 4 weeks will result in a decrease in symptoms. Although a meniscus will generally not heal on it’s own, it can essentially scar down to a new stable position and stop causing symptoms. Occasionally, a corticosteroid injection will also be given to decrease inflammation and speed symptom improvement. If the knee continues to experience mechanical symptoms (locking, catching, giving way) then usually a knee arthroscopy is required. Two small incisions are made on the front of the knee and, using a camera and small instraments, the torn portion of meniscus is re- moved. Only the torn portion is remeoved, as the remaining menisus serves an important function of load distribution and knee stability. Although, the weight bearing function is never again the same after a menisus tear, the torn portion of the meniscus no longer performs this function and will continue to cause sypmtoms as long
