So you tore your meniscus. What’s next? Do you need to have meniscus surgery to repair the tear? Can your meniscus tear heal on its own without medical intervention? 

Treating meniscus tears depends on several factors - including your age, symptoms, and tear severity. 

What are the Different Types of Meniscus Tears?

Let’s discuss what the meniscus is. The meniscus is a horseshoe-shaped piece of cartilage in the knee joint. It works like a sponge to cushion the femur and tibia bones in the knee joint. 

When we twist our knee from side-to-side, that puts a strain on the meniscus and can, ultimately, cause it to tear. How we treat the meniscus depends on the area where it tears because that affects the amount of blood supply to the cartilage. 

The different types of meniscus tears are:

1. Horizontal Tear: The is a tear to the outside section of the meniscus. This area has a large amount of blood supply, meaning this type of meniscus tear has better healing potential. Typically, Dr. Sterett will sow the torn tissue together.

2. Radial Tear: This type of tear occurs in the meniscus' central area, where the blood supply is lowest. Since there’s not enough blood to promote proper healing, surgery for a radial meniscus tear usually involves trimming away the damaged tissue.

3. Flap Tear: When a part of the meniscus tears off in an unusual pattern, the flap of the torn tissue can “catch” in the knee as you move. In these cases, the flap can easily be removed with surgery. 

4. Bucket-Handle Tear: A large tear to the peripheral section of the meniscus. These meniscus tears are considered severe and can impact your daily knee movements.

5. Complex: A combination of tear patterns, usually involving both the meniscus' peripheral and central areas.  

6. Incomplete Tear: These are considered stable injuries and are usually more a sign of cartilage degeneration than a meniscus injury. 

Meniscus tears are almost always associated with knee pain. Dr. Sterett and his Vail Valley team are able to diagnose the exact type of tear with a physical exam and imaging tests.

Does My Meniscus Tear Need Surgery?

The decision about whether or not your meniscus tear requires surgery depends on several factors, such as:

1. Your activity level, age, and overall health

2. The location of the meniscus tear and how complex it is

3. If your knee pain is limiting your daily movements

Whenever possible, Dr. Sterett and his team at Vail-Summit Orthopaedics &Neurosurgery recommend conservative methods initially. Nonsurgical methods for treating meniscus tears include:

• Bracing

• Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE)

• Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

• Physical Therapy

• Steroid Injections

If symptoms persist for over three months or your meniscus doesn’t show signs of healing, Dr. Sterett will then discuss your surgical options. However, surgery is almost always needed when the following occur:

• The meniscus tear occurs in an area that lacks blood flow

• Your knee movement is affected by the meniscus tear

• Your meniscus tear is complex

Meniscus surgery can also prevent the risk of developing other joint conditions further down the line, such as knee osteoarthritis. 

Treatment for Meniscus Tears in the Vail Valley

Dr. Sterett is considered the foremost knee injury expert in the Vail Valley. Serving as the Head Physician for the U.S. Olympic Ski Team, Dr. Sterett understands the importance of getting his patients back to doing the activities they love. He always discusses meniscus tear treatment options with his patients, designing a recovery plan with their lifestyle in mind.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Sterett, contact his team today at (970) 476-7220 or via his online request form.