Meniscus Tear Specialist
-
- Tweet
William Schell, MD
Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine/Arthroscopy located in Upper West Side, Columbus Circle, New York, NY
If a meniscus tear in your knee prevents you from participating in sports or physical activity, you don’t have to live with it. New York City board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. William Schell can help. He repairs torn menisci and other sports-related injuries to restore full function in your knee, so you can get back on the field or court in no time. Call to book an appointment today or use the online scheduling tool.
Meniscus Tear Q & A
What is a meniscus tear?
Meniscus tears are some of the most common knee injuries, especially among athletes who play contact sports. A meniscus is a c-shaped piece of cartilage that’s part of your knee joint (each knee contains two menisci). It acts as a shock absorber to help cushion and stabilize the joint.
If you tear your meniscus playing sports, you may have other knee injuries as well, such as an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear.
What are the symptoms of a meniscus tear?
If you have a torn meniscus, you’ll know something doesn’t feel quite right with your knee. You may experience:
- Severe knee pain
- A popping sound
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Difficulty fully straightening your knee
- Catching or locking of the knee during movement
Dr. Schell completes a thorough physical examination to diagnose a meniscus tear. He’ll complete X-rays to rule out additional injuries, and an MRI to make a final diagnosis. He’ll go over treatment options with you to determine if conservative treatment or surgical repair best matches your needs.
What is the initial treatment for a meniscus tear?
Initially after tearing your meniscus, Dr. Schell recommends R.I.C.E. therapy, which includes:
- Rest
- Ice
- Compression
- Elevation
He may also suggest taking certain medications to reduce pain and inflammation, using a brace to stabilize the joint, physical therapy to strengthen surrounding areas of your joint, or surgical repair in severe cases.
How are meniscus tears surgically repaired?
If you opt for surgical meniscus repair to restore knee function, Dr. Schell uses an arthroscopic technique. During surgery, he:
- Makes two small incisions about 1/4 inch in length
- Uses an arthroscope (a small tube-shaped viewing instrument with a camera) to view the area
- Repairs or removes the torn meniscus using surgical instruments
You’ll participate in a rehabilitation program following surgery to aid in a quicker recovery, and should notice a drastic improvement in knee function after the healing process is complete.
When you’re ready to get rid of knee pain from a meniscus tear using conservative or surgical treatments, call Dr. Schell’s office to learn more or book an appointment online today.
