Meniscal Cartilage Treatment

Jack Farr, MD

Knee meniscal cartilage tears represent the most common knee problem leading to surgery in America. Meniscus damage can happen through daily living activities that do not involve specific trauma or in other cases, meniscal cartilage tears can be a direct result of trauma that occurs in sport or in the workplace. Once there is injury to the meniscal cartilage, the body's response often is pain and swelling. At times, the knee may "lock," "give way," or "go out completely." Unfortunately, it is rare for a meniscus to heal without surgical intervention.

The goal of meniscal surgery is to maintain meniscal cartilage function. Knee surgeons recognize the protective value of the meniscal cartilage and they will recommend corrective surgery to restore normal function. In the days of open cartilage surgery, the entire meniscus was typically removed. However, today, in an effort to preserve meniscal function after a tear, surgeons can, at times, repair the meniscus using a variety of techniques. These techniques include using special sutures, absorbable implants or staples to secure the tear.

Nevertheless, even with the newest repair techniques available, the vast majority of meniscal tears are not repairable and are consequently treated by removing the torn portion. This is known as a partial meniscectomy. Unfortunately patients who undergo a partial meniscectomy often show a development of arthritis in long-term follow-up studies. This outcome is very similar to patients who underwent a total meniscectomy surgery in years past.

> Back to Services