Meniscus Tear Doctor in Raleigh, NC
What is a meniscus tear?
A meniscus tear or torn meniscus is a common knee injury that is often experienced in athletes playing high-speed sports. Your meniscus is the C-shaped cartilage found on both sides of your knee, which serves as a shock-absorber to prevent excessive pressure on the cartilage in your knee. When the meniscus is torn, it causes sharp pain, stiffness, swelling, limited range of motion, and numerous other uncomfortable symptoms.
Dr. Dare, a sports medicine orthopedist in Raleigh, NC, deals exclusively with the shoulder and knee joints, helping his patients resolve complex joint injuries and return to their normal activity levels.
What causes a meniscus tear?
A meniscus tear is commonly the result of a forceful or sudden change in direction. Other movements that can trigger this kind of injury include:
- Squatting down
- Kneeling down
- Lifting something heavy
- Other movements that cause extreme stress on the joint
What are the symptoms of a meniscus tear?
Visit Dr. Dare, an experienced orthopedic surgeon in North Carolina, if you experience any of the following meniscus injury symptoms:
- Knee swelling
- Knee pain
- Difficulty moving the affected knee
- Feeling of tightness or “locking” in your knee
- Popping sound or clicking that causes pain
- Knee stiffness
How is a meniscus tear diagnosed?
In order to accurately provide you with a diagnosis, Dr. Dare spends time getting to know each of his patients and understanding their knee concerns. Your evaluation begins with discussing your current symptoms, pain level, and prior injuries or related health issues. Then, Dr. Dare performs a comprehensive evaluation of your knee, including testing your range of motion and discussing pain levels during movement. In addition, you may need to have diagnostic testing done to evaluate the severity of your meniscal tear as well as to rule out other common conditions. Tests that are typically recommended include:
- X-rays
- MRI scans
How is a meniscus tear treated?
The treatment of meniscal tear is dependent on the location and complexity of the tear, along with the age and demands of the patient. Whenever possible, Dr. Dare recommends non-surgical options to restore your knee function and relieve meniscus tear pain. Some of your nonoperative meniscus tear treatment options may include:
Rest- Activity level and lifestyle modifications
- Heat/ice therapy
- Physical therapy
- Exercise therapy
- Injection therapy
- Anti-inflammatory medication
RestDuring your recovery, Dr. Dare will monitor your knee closely to ensure proper healing. In cases where conservative treatments are ineffective, Dr. Dare is trained and experienced in arthroscopic knee surgery, a minimally-invasive technique that can be used to repair a damaged meniscus.
Schedule a Meniscus Tear Consult with Dr. Dare!
If you are experiencing symptoms of a meniscus tear, consult an orthopedic knee specialist who can help relieve your pain and restore knee function. Dr. David Dare is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and knee surgery. His primary goal is to develop an effective treatment plan using the least invasive techniques to relieve your knee pain, restore function, and get you back to feeling your best. Call 919.781.5600 or fill out the form on this page to schedule an appointment with Dr. Dare today.
