Meniscus Tear
You've probably heard of a torn meniscus. You may have even torn it and not realized it. The meniscus is a small piece of cartilage in your knee that acts as a cushion. The knee joint, specifically between the femur and tibia, is prone to damage during activities such as contact sports.
Any activity in which your knee is rotated puts you at risk for knee injuries. You don't have to be afraid to play sports or enjoy a good workout, just know that a medial or lateral meniscus tear is possible, giving you good reason to keep a sports medicine doctor on speed dial.
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Anatomy of a Knee
Meniscus tears are quite common. And they can be injuries that happen alongside other injuries like ligament tears. Each knee has two menisci, and when those shock absorbers wear down, they become much more likely to tear. While older people are more prone to a tear, simply due to cartilage that's been worn down, a meniscus tear can happen to anyone at any age.
One of the biggest signs you might have a meniscus tear is if you hear a popping sound while putting weight on your knee. After you hear the pop, you may feel considerable knee pain. You may decide to just ignore it and continue with your activity. Either way, ask about treatment for meniscus tear with your Midtown Manhattan sports medicine doctor.
Other Symptoms to Be on the Lookout for
After you hear the pop sound, watch for swelling, even though it sometimes doesn't occur. What you are more likely to notice is the pain. Commonly, the pain localizes in your knee. It's been described as sharp and stabbing. Make a mental note of where and when the pain is strongest, as your NYC doctor needs as much information as possible to properly diagnosis whether you have a lateral or medial meniscus tear. Be more specific when you report your pain. Don't just tell your doctor you're feeling pain; tell him when it happens during certain activities. Describe what you were doing when you felt that sharp pain in your knee. Common examples of when you may feel pain from a tear include:
At night, when you're sleeping or rolling around
Getting in and out of a car
During exercise
While playing sports
Even getting off the couch can trigger pain in your knee if you have a torn meniscus. A good analogy for a meniscus tear is like feeling a rock in your shoe. Sometimes, you don't even know it's there. You may not always feel pain in your knee. But then you really feel that rock, just like pain from the tear. Even if you don't feel the pain on a consistent basis, you need to consult your doctor and consider treatment for meniscus tear.
Diagnosis Leads to Help
If you're feeling pain or any other symptoms – like the feeling that your knee is locking up or catching – then it's time to get medical help. While it's possible for a lateral meniscus tear to heal on its own, it's also rare.
In addition to a medical history, your Midtown Manhattan doctor may order an x-ray or MRI. All this information helps him narrow down what type of tear you have and how to best treat it. Every case is different. Treatment for a medial meniscus tear is going to be different than lateral meniscus tear treatment.
Ready to find relief from knee pain?
Dr. Melepura's Midtown Manhattan clinic offers same-day appointments for evaluation and treatment.
Torn Meniscus Treatment in Manhattan
After you and your doctor have a clear idea of the type of tear you have, the path for meniscus tear treatment is clearer. And you may get some good news at this point. If the tear is on the outside of the meniscus, it may heal on its own. This part of the meniscus gets a lot of blood, which aids your healing process.
This doesn't mean that everything else is bad news. It just means your body needs help. There are both surgical and non-surgical treatments. Start with R.I.C.E. — rest, ice, compression and elevation. Your doctor can also suggest an NSAID over-the-counter painkiller for you.
There are several surgical options, especially for lateral meniscus tear treatment, if your case is severe enough. Knee arthroscopy is probably the most common procedure. Other options are either partial meniscectomy, where damaged cartilage is cut away, or repair of the meniscal tissue as its stitched back together. Even though treatment for meniscus tear in New York City may put you on the sidelines for a few months, there's a very good chance that you'll regain full capacity to continue with your favorite activities after you're fully healed.
Real Stories from our Patients
Dr. Febin Melepura, MD
Double Board-Certified Pain Specialist
Meet Dr. Febin Melepura — Your Meniscus Tear Specialist in NYC
Dr. Febin Melepura, MD is a double board-certified interventional pain management specialist and the founder of the Sports Pain Institute of New York. He completed his residency and fellowship training at New York Presbyterian Hospital / Columbia University Medical Center, one of the nation's leading academic medical centers.
He holds dual board certifications from the American Board of Anesthesiology and the American Board of Pain Medicine, and has treated more than 7,500 patients and performed over 5,250 procedures throughout his career. He has been named a Top Pain Management Doctor in New York and one of America's Top Doctors™ by Castle Connolly.
Dr. Melepura's approach to knee pain is rooted in precision: identify the exact source, treat it with a targeted injection, and get you back to your daily life as quickly as possible.
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Same-day appointments available. Call (212) 621-7746 or book online.
What Our Meniscus Tear Patients Say
"Able to make an appointment to see Dr. Melepura on short notice… attentive to my concerns… Jazmin was also very kind and helpful."
"Excellent hospitality, listener and explainer… highly recommend the doctor and the place."
"Dr. Melepura is the best! He worked with me to find the optimal solution to my shoulder pain while I was preparing for a fight!"
"Lovely, bright and modern… doctor and staff were kind… felt my concerns were heard."
"Helpful and friendly staff who gladly follows up with you if and when needed. Dr Melepura was very helpful and professional as well as provided me with excellent information and feedback."
"Dr Febin is fantastic! Highly recommend him and his practice the Spin clinic. The doctor is a good listener, kind, attentive and gave me great advice. "
"Dr.Melepura was very efficient and interpersonal, felt like he was understanding the problems I was having and explained the processes to take to rehabilitate. I would recommend."
"I felt listened to and truly understood by Dr. Melepura. Started PT the very next day. They were very friendly and I didn't feel rushed at all. Already recommended them to my friends who have or continue to play through pain."