A torn meniscus is one of the common knee injuries that afflict sports practitioners. The treatment of the meniscus sometimes lies in surgical intervention, and other times in rest and taking some medications. What is the criterion by which treatment differs?

The reason behind the different methods of treating meniscus

The meniscus is located between the shin and thigh bones in the knee joint. This cartilage consists of two parts, each of which takes the shape of the letter C. They work to separate the shin and thigh bones from each other and prevent friction between them. What happens until the meniscus ruptures?

When a person lifts a heavy object that exceeds his ability to bear, or is exposed to an accident that causes the knee to twist strongly, this is likely to lead to damage and tearing of the meniscus, and this happens frequently with athletes, especially those who practice football or basketball.

An individual may need meniscus treatment as they get older; Knee cartilage is subject to erosion over the years, and the possibility of knee cartilage erosion increases in patients who suffer from excessive obesity. The knee joint is exposed to damage due to heavy weight on the knee.

As we have noted, the causes of a meniscus tear are different, so the condition of each patient differs from the other according to the type, size, and location of the erosion in the meniscus. Therefore, the methods of treating the meniscus are not the same for all patients.

Methods of treating meniscus

Before treating the meniscus, it is necessary to ensure that knee pain is not related to arthritis. If it is related to arthritis, the condition can improve with the passage of time and the use of anti-inflammatory treatments. In this case, the patient will not need surgical intervention, and the orthopedic doctor will advise the patient to take Get some rest, avoid anything that might cause knee pain, and use ice compresses to soothe the pain and reduce swelling, in addition to painkillers.

Treating the meniscus with physical therapy sessions

If the tear is not severe, it is possible to use physical therapy sessions to strengthen the muscles surrounding the knee joint and make them able to support the joint.

Surgical treatment of meniscus

If the tear in the meniscus is severe, the pain resulting from it is terrible, and the previous methods of treatment have not worked, then there is no way to treat the meniscus except through surgical intervention.

Surgical intervention to treat the meniscus includes performing one of the following surgeries:

     Total meniscectomy: In this procedure, the doctor removes the entire meniscus.

     Partial meniscus resection: Unlike the previous operation, the doctor here removes only part of the meniscus and then trims the ends of the cartilage.

What is the criterion based on which treatment method is chosen

What determines the best way to treat a patient’s meniscus is the medical examinations performed in the clinic by Dr. Ibrahim, which include moving the knee and leg in different directions and monitoring the way they walk and sit.

Dr. Ibrahim Gado uses X-rays and MRI in order to obtain a detailed picture of the abnormal changes occurring in the knee.

Finally, be sure to visit Dr. Ibrahim Jadu, consultant orthopedic surgeon, so that you can undergo these examinations and learn the appropriate treatment method for your condition.