If you’re struggling to recover from a meniscus tear, you likely have several things on your mind. For instance, how long will it take to get back to your normal self? Will your knee ever be the same? And maybe, will this injury increase the likelihood of needing knee replacement in the future? Only an orthopedic physician can answer these questions and provide you with personalized guidance, but generally speaking, having a meniscus tear can lead to a greater chance of knee replacement surgery down the road. Let’s take a closer look at meniscus tears and how they impact overall joint health.
Meniscus Tears & Knee Health
The knee—the largest joint in the body—features two small, C-shaped pieces of cartilage called menisci that cushion the joint and help facilitate smooth, fluid movement. A meniscus can tear during twisting or turning movements, especially when the knee is bent and the foot is firmly planted. If you’ve torn a meniscus, you may experience a popping sensation followed by:
- Knee pain around the inside, outside, or backside of the knee
- Knee swelling
- Difficulty fully extending your knee
- A locking or catching sensation in the knee joint
Timely treatment of meniscus tears is critical, as certain parts of the meniscus lack sufficient blood supply to heal on their own and require medical intervention. Delaying professional care can also exacerbate the injury and lead to fewer non-surgical treatment options. Overall, research shows that the risk of knee replacement is significantly lower when a meniscus tear is treated with conservative approaches like physical therapy rather than knee surgery.
So, why do certain meniscus procedures increase the chances of eventually needing a knee replacement? While removing all or a portion of a damaged meniscus provides short-term pain relief, it reduces support in the knee joint and can accelerate the progression of osteoarthritis—a degenerative condition that sometimes results in the need for total knee replacement surgery.
Knee Injury Treatment at Tampa Orthopeadic & Sports Medicine Group
Understandably, you may feel a little disheartened after reading the above information. But don’t panic—seeking care at the first sign of injury and consulting with an experienced orthopedic physician can help you avoid surgical intervention, minimize healthy tissue disruption if surgery is necessary, and preserve your joint health.
If you live in the Tampa area, a trusted place to turn for knee injury treatment is Tampa Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Group—the longest operating orthopedic practice in the region and a division of Florida Medical Clinic. Our practice is home to board-certified specialists who excel in conservatively treating meniscus injuries, knee osteoarthritis, and other common knee conditions. When surgery is clinically appropriate, orthopedic sports medicine surgeon Dr. Daniel Murphy utilizes the latest minimally invasive techniques to preserve as much healthy tissue as possible and achieve optimal outcomes.
Let’s get connected! Contact Tampa Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Group today at (813) 253-2406 to schedule an appointment, or request an appointment online when it suits your schedule. We look forward to helping you achieve your best joint health.
