Meniscus Tear
A meniscus tear is one of the most common knee injuries. When people talk about a torn cartilage or cartilage damage in the knee, they are usually referring to a torn meniscus. The meniscus is a piece of rubber cartilage that provides cushioning in the knee. There are two in each knee, one on the inner half and one on the outer half. They are shaped like the letter ‘C’.
Dr. David Colvin, orthopaedic surgeon in Perth. David's specialty is knee and shoulder surgery and sports injuries.
What causes a Meniscus Tear?
Meniscus tears often happen in younger people while playing sports. When you twist on the knee under load, it may cause a split in the rubber. This is a traumatic meniscus tear.
In older people, the rubber cartilage in the knee ‘perishes’ over time, making it prone to tearing. This is known as a degenerative meniscus tear.
Shoulder & Knee Surgery Perth
Symptoms of a Meniscus Tear.
When you tear your meniscus, you may feel a 'pop'. Most people can still walk on their injured knee, but over a day or two the knee may become stiff and swollen.
The most common symptoms of a meniscus tear are:
- Pain, usually on one side of the knee.
- Stiffness and swelling of the knee.
- A catching sensation.
- A feeling of your knee ‘giving way’.
- Inability to fully straighten the knee, called a locked knee.
An MRI scan is the best way to diagnose a meniscus tear.
How are Meniscus Tears treated?
How Dr Colvin treats your meniscal tear will depend on the size and shape of the tear, and where it's located. With a knee arthroscopy, Dr Colvin can remove the torn cartilage with a partial meniscectomy or perform a meniscus repair.
There are several different patterns of a meniscus tear. The most common patterns are bucket handle, flap, and radial tears.
The location of the meniscus tear is very important in determining the treatment. The outer one-third of the meniscus has an abundant blood supply. A tear in this area can heal. This type of meniscus tear is suitable for meniscus repair surgery.
In comparison, the inner two-thirds of the knee meniscus lacks a blood supply. Without nutrients from the blood, tears in this area cannot heal even if repaired. For this type of tear, you may need a partial meniscectomy.
Make an appointment with your orthopaedic surgeon
CO.RE Exercises
In the field of shoulder and knee reconstruction, successful outcomes from an operation are 50% surgery and 50% rehabilitation. You could say the surgery is the easy bit, the rehabilitation is all hard slog. Dr Colvin’s CO.RE exercise programs are just that, a core plan for your successful recovery.
Knee Arthroscopy
Knee Cartilage
Osteoarthritis
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CONTACT DETAILS
OPENING HOURS
Consulting Rooms
Dr David Colvin consults at:
Western Orthopaedic Clinic Suite 213,
25 McCourt Street,
Subiaco WA 6008 (Perth)
- These rooms are part of St John of God Subiaco Hospital.
- Parking is available on site.
OPERATING
Dr David Colvin operates at:
St John of God Subiaco Hospital
Salvado Road,
Subiaco WA 6008 (Perth)