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Meniscus Tears

Manhattan Orthopedics

Orthopedic Surgeons located in Midtown Manhattan, New York, Astoria, & Brooklyn, NY

While athletes are at greater risk, anyone can develop a meniscus tear, which is a very common knee injury. Board-certified orthopedic surgeons Edmond Cleeman, MD, and Craig Dushey, MD, at Manhattan Orthopedics, with locations in Midtown Manhattan, Brooklyn and Astoria in New York, specializes in meniscus tears and provides arthroscopic surgery treatment focused on rapid recovery. For expert management of your meniscus tear, call your nearest New York City office today or book an appointment online.

Meniscus Tears Q & A

What is the meniscus?

The meniscus is a wedge-shaped piece of cartilage that separates your shinbone and thighbone at your knee. The meniscus is rubbery and strong and acts as a cushion and shock absorber between the two bones. 

What are meniscus tears?

Meniscus tears refer to tearing of the tough cartilage. Your meniscus can tear in different ways, and Dr. Cleeman and Dr. Dushey classify your tear based on how it looks and where your tear is located.

Athletes are prone to meniscus tears, especially when engaged in activities that require squatting. A wrong twist of the knee or a hard tackle can also lead to meniscus tears.

You are also at risk of meniscus tears as you get older due to the degenerative changes that occur to the meniscus over time, making it thinner and more susceptible to tearing. 

How are meniscus tears diagnosed?

Dr. Cleeman and Dr. Dushey perform a comprehensive examination to diagnose meniscus tears. Your evaluation may include a review of your symptoms and a physical examination of your knee, including the McMurray test. 

During the McMurray test, Dr. Cleeman or Dr. Dushey bend your knee, then straightens and rotates it, listening for a clicking sound or pain that indicates tearing. Limited motion and tenderness along the joint are also common findings in a meniscus tear.

To confirm the diagnosis and rule out other causes of your knee pain, Dr. Cleeman or Dr. Dushey may also recommend diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays or an MRI.

What are the treatments for meniscus tears?

Dr. Cleeman and Dr. Dushey develop personalized treatment plans for the management of meniscus tears based on the size, location, and type of tear. If your tear is small, the pain may resolve on its own with rest, ice, compression, and elevation, as well as an anti-inflammatory medication. 

However, for severe tears or tears that don’t improve with nonsurgical treatment, Dr. Cleeman and Dr. Dushey offer arthroscopic surgery. 

During this minimally invasive procedure, Dr. Cleeman uses a surgical camera and tiny incisions to treat your meniscus, which may include removal of damaged tissue or suturing of the tear. 

After your surgical recovery, Dr. Cleeman and Dr. Dushey provide rehabilitation exercises to improve mobility and strength in your knee. If needed, he may also refer you to physical therapy. However, you can successfully recover from your surgery with at-home exercises.

Like you, Dr. Cleeman and Dr. Dushey are focused on rapid recovery and provides you with all the tools you need to get back to your pre-injury self. It may take up to three months to fully recover from your injury and surgery.

For expert management of your meniscus tear from an experienced orthopedic surgeon, contact Manhattan Orthopedics or request an appointment online today.

This website and content contained herein (including articles, blogs, images, text, graphics, videos, etc.) is not designed to, and does not, provide medical advice. It is NOT intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment but is for general informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health, medical condition or treatment options. Never rely on information in this website in place of seeking medical advice and treatment. Never disregard or delay seeking medical advice because of something you may have read. If you think you may have a medical emergency you should seek immediate medical treatment. The practice does not endorse any specific tests, products, procedures, opinions or other information that may be mentioned in this website.

 

 


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