Treating Meniscus Tears – Glastonbury, CT

Causes of
Meniscal Injuries

Meniscal injuries occur for two main reasons – an acute or sudden injury to the knee, most commonly involving a sudden twisting movement while standing or running; and wear-and-tear or degenerative changes in the meniscus over time. Degenerative meniscus tears occur because the meniscus gradually thins out as we age. The thinned meniscus is more prone to tearing. Sometimes a seemingly innocent move, such as stepping off a curb and pivoting to turn can tear a thinned meniscus. Sometimes the tears just develop over time.

Diagnosing
Meniscal Tears

Meniscal tears can only be diagnosed by MRI. X-rays do not show meniscal tears. In addition, while the history and physical exam can raise the suspicion of a meniscal tear, studies have shown that the physical exam is actually pretty unreliable to confirm a meniscal tear, even among the best orthopedic surgeons.

Treatment for
Meniscal Tears

Treatment for meniscal tears depends on the nature of the tear, the symptoms caused by the tear, and the age of the patient. Acute tears in younger people that cause symptoms of instability (such as buckling or giving-way of the knee), or tears that cause the knee to lock, usually need to be treated with arthroscopic surgery. But symptomatic degenerative tears in older patients DO NOT require surgery. In fact, studies have shown that arthroscopic surgery for symptomatic degenerative meniscal tears provides no long term benefit, speeds up the development of arthritis in the knee, and increases the risk of needing a knee replacement by 3-fold in the next 5-10 years!

Regenerative Medicine treatments such as stem cells can be an excellent non-surgical alternative for patients with symptomatic degenerative meniscal tears.* Contact us to make an appointment for an evaluation of your knee to see if you’re a candidate for non-surgical treatment!

It’s important to note that if you have a meniscal tear, you have a 100% chance of developing arthritis in the injured knee. This is a sobering fact. However, you can potentially slow or even prevent the development of arthritis with Regenerative Medicine treatments such as PRP periodically (every year or so). *

(*NOTE: All Regenerative Medicine treatments are performed by our affiliate practice, the New England Stem Cell Institute. Click HERE for a free e-book on Regenerative Medicine.)