Meniscus Tear Repair In Houston, TX
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What is a Meniscus Tear
Your knee is a complicated joint that consists of many components, and the meniscus is a C-shaped disc that is responsible for cushioning the joint. Each knee contains two menisci, one at the outer edge and the other at the inner edge. They help distribute weight across the knee.
When you lift something heavy, play sports, and experience age-related changes, the meniscus can be prone to tearing, causing symptoms such as knee pain and slight swelling. Athletes are prone to knee injuries, especially if they participate in contact sports and a sudden bending or twisting motion takes place. Older adults, on the other hand, might get degenerative meniscus tears as the cartilage wears out and becomes weak. Our orthopedist provides meniscus repair in Houston to restore your knee to a healthy state!
What is Meniscus Root Injury or Tear
The meniscus functions as a critical cushion between the thigh bone and shin bone, and it also absorbs impact during daily activities. Each knee consists of two menisci, inside and outside. The attachment point of the meniscus to the shin bone is called the meniscus root, and when it undergoes an injury, trauma, or degenerative changes, the result is a meniscus root tear. Since the meniscus root is essential for the stability and function of the knee joint, it can significantly impair knee function. Our orthopedic specialist provides effective meniscus root repair in Houston, aiming to prevent severe consequences and restore your knee.
Questions About Meniscus Tear Repair?
Conservative Meniscus Repair Options
Our surgeon will assess the type, size, and location of the tear, as well as other factors such as your age and activity level, to choose the right repair option. We might proceed with nonsurgical treatment if the damage is minimal and limited to the outer edge of the meniscus.
Our conservative meniscus repair might involve rest, ice, compression, and elevation. We might even recommend wearing a knee brace for a short period to aid with healing. Our orthopedic specialist and his team will prepare a treatment plan involving physical therapy, medications, and other conservative treatments to eliminate the discomfort and treat your knee joint.
Our Surgical Treatments for Meniscus Repair in Houston
If you have a severe case of meniscus repair that cannot be corrected with conservative treatments, we might suggest a surgical procedure to fix the issue. Our surgeon will offer surgical repair to sew the tear together, remove the torn section of the meniscus, or remove the entire meniscus, depending on your condition.
Generally, meniscus surgery involves using arthroscopy, which means the surgeon will put a lighted tube with a camera through a small incision in your knee. They also insert surgical tools through one of the incisions to repair the meniscus tear. After the surgery, you will receive instructions on recovery and a rehabilitation plan to restore the stability and strength of your knee joint.
Our Techniques for Meniscus Root Repair in Houston
Surgery is often necessary for significant root tears in the meniscus, but initially, our orthopedist might proceed with conservative approaches. If you have mild symptoms or mild degenerative changes, we might recommend rest, icing, physical therapy, or injections to alleviate the discomfort. If you require surgical treatment, we might proceed with arthroscopic techniques to repair the tear, such as:
- Pull-Out Technique: If the meniscus root is torn from the tibia, our surgeon might drill one or two bone tunnels through the tibial bone and attach the torn meniscus root back to the original position with the help of stitches. We incorporate arthroscopy to make sure the procedure and results are accurate.
- Suture Anchor Method: Another meniscus root repair technique we utilize is using small anchors, such as small pledges or hook implants, and placing them near the spot where the meniscus attaches to the bone. Thanks to these anchors, the sutures that assist in reattaching the meniscus are held in place.
- Side-to-Side Sutures: Our meniscus root repair in Houston has got you covered if you have a complicated tear. The surgeon will stitch together the split parts of the meniscus using simple stitches.
- Partial Meniscectomy: We aim to preserve as much meniscus tissue as possible, but there are times when our surgeon will need to remove the damaged tissue rather than repair it. When other meniscus root repair options are not viable, our orthopedic specialist will perform a partial meniscectomy.
What Our Patients Are Saying
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Quality Meniscus Repair in Houston!
Our team will assess your knee joint and recommend adequate treatment for your meniscus tear. Whether you require surgical or nonsurgical treatment, our meniscus repair in Houston, TX, is a safe and comfortable procedure. Dial (346) 247-2531 to get in touch with our team at Barrett S. Brown, MD.
