Torn Meniscus Pain Overview
A torn meniscus is a common knee injury that occurs when the cartilage in the knee, known as the meniscus, is torn due to twisting, pivoting, or sudden movements of the knee joint. Meniscal tears can vary in severity, ranging from small, minor tears to large, complex tears that affect knee function. At Empire Orthopaedic and Pain Management Specialists, we specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of torn meniscus injuries, offering comprehensive care to alleviate pain and restore knee function. When you experience a torn meniscus, you may experience symptoms such as pain, swelling, stiffness, catching or locking of the knee, and difficulty straightening the knee fully. Our team of orthopedic specialists begins the evaluation process with a thorough assessment of your injury, often utilizing physical examination maneuvers and imaging studies such as MRI to confirm the diagnosis and determine the location and severity of the tear.
Treatment options for Torn Meniscus may include:
- Conservative therapies: For small, stable tears, we may recommend conservative treatments such as rest, ice therapy, compression, elevation, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and physical therapy to reduce pain and inflammation, improve knee function, and promote healing.
- Meniscal repair: For tears located in the outer edge of the meniscus with good blood supply, we may recommend meniscal repair surgery to sew the torn edges of the meniscus together and promote healing.
- Meniscectomy: For larger or complex tears that cannot be repaired, we may perform a meniscectomy procedure to trim or remove the torn portion of the meniscus while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.
- Rehabilitation: Regardless of the treatment approach, we provide comprehensive rehabilitation programs focused on strengthening the muscles around the knee, improving range of motion, and enhancing joint stability to facilitate recovery and prevent future injuries.
Meet Our Team Of Doctors
Dr. James Yu
Board Certified Anesthesiologist
Board Certified Interventional
Pain Management Physician
Dylan J. O'Rourke
Certified Physician Assistant
Pain Condition We Treat
Improve your quality of life with our comprehensive approach to pain management
We are dedicated to finding individualized treatment options tailored to fit your needs. Our team is dedicated to helping you lead a productive and active life, free from pain and disruption.
We use an integrative approach to conduct a comprehensive evaluation and assess your condition.
Physical examination and review of your medical history. We assess the cause of your pain, determine its severity and duration, and help you develop an individualized treatment plan.
We provide a range of treatments and procedures to address your chronic pain. These include nerve blocks, injections, physical therapy, implantable therapies and more. We also offer health education to help you better manage your condition.