York, ME (207) 363 3490 | Portsmouth, NH (603) 431 1121

20Hip Care
10Hip-Conditions and Injuries
Cartilage Injury
Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)
Gluteal Tears
Hamstring Tears
Hip Instability
Deep Gluteal Space Syndrome
Labral Tears
Psoas Impingement (Internal Snapping Hip)
PVNS
Trochanteric Bursitis
10Hip-Treatment and Surgeries
Acetabuloplasty
Chondroplasty
Femoroplasty
Gluteal Repair
Labral Debridement
Labral Reconstruction
Labral Repair
Nanofracture
Psoas Release
Trochanteric Bursa Debridement
33Knee Care
13Knee Conditions and Injuries
ACL Tear
Cartilage Injury
Discoid Meniscus
Lateral Meniscus Tear
LCL Injury
MCL Injury
Medial Meniscus Tear
Osteoarthritis
Osteochondritis Dessicans
Patellar Instability
Patellofemoral Chondromalacia
Posterolateral Corner Injury
Trochlear Dysplasia
20Knee Treatment and Surgeries
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction
Cartilage Restoration Surgery – Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI-Carticel)
Cartilage Restoration Surgery – Donor Graft
Collagen Meniscal Implant (CMI)
Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) Reconstruction
Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Reconstruction
Meniscus Repair
Meniscus Root Repair
Meniscal Transplant
Medial Patellofemoral Ligament (MPFL) Reconstruction
Nanofracture
Osteochondral Allograft Transfer
Osteochondral Autograft Transfer (OATS)
Partial Knee Replacement (MAKO)
Partial Meniscectomy
Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Reconstruction
Posterolateral Corner (PLC) Surgery
Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy
Total Knee Replacement (MAKO)
Trochleoplasty
20Shoulder Care
10Shoulder-Conditions and Injuries
AC Joint Injuries
Arthritis
Biceps Tendon Injuries
Calcific Tendinitis
Clavicle Fractures
Frozen Shoulder
Labral and SLAP Tears
Rotator Cuff Injuries
Shoulder Dislocation/Instability
Subacromial Impingement/Busitis
10Shoulder-Treatment and Surgeries
A-C Joint Stabilization
Biceps Tenodesis
Clavicle Fracture Fixation
Pectoralis Major Repair
Rotator Cuff Repair
Shoulder Instability Surgery – Bankart Repair
Shoulder Instability Surgery – Latarjet Procedure
Subacromial Decompression and Acromioplasty
Superior Capsular Reconstruction
Total Shoulder Replacement

MEDIAL MENISCUS TEAR

The meniscus is a pliable substance made up of soft tissue that sits between two bones of the knee joint, the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone). There are two, c-shaped menisci in the knee, one on the inside of the knee (medial meniscus) and one on the outside of the knee (lateral meniscus). Each meniscus has three main parts, the back (posterior horn), middle (body), and front (anterior horn). Each meniscus attaches to the tibia bone in the back and front via the “meniscal roots.” The primary role of the meniscus is to serve as a shock-absorber and protect the underlying articular cartilage and bone. The meniscus has additional roles, including joint stability and joint lubrication. The meniscus is typically torn during a twisting episode and may occur in the setting of an ACL or other ligament tear.

The location of the tear within the meniscus is an important variable that Dr. Welch considers in each patient. The periphery of the meniscus is called the “red-red” zone because there is a robust bloody supply, and peripheral meniscus tears are more likely to heal than meniscus tears located closer to the center of the knee. The central portion of the meniscus has a poor bloody supply and is called the “white-white” zone.

There are several other variables that Dr. Welch considers in each patient with a meniscus tear:

Tear Pattern: there are many different tear patterns, including longitudinal, radial, vertical, and parrot beak tears.

Complete vs. Incomplete Tears: an incomplete meniscus tear refers to a tear that involves only one side of the meniscus. A complete tear suggests that the tear extends all the way through the entire thickness of the meniscus. A complete tear usually causes more significant symptoms than an incomplete tear.

Meniscal Root Tears: a tear that involves the meniscal root completely destabilizes the meniscus. When the meniscus root tears, one side of the meniscus completely separates from the bone attachment. As a result, the tension in the meniscus is lost and the entire meniscus no longer functions. Dr. Welch recommends surgical repair for most root tears.

Acute vs. Degenerative Meniscus Tears: an acute meniscus tear occurs as a result of a twisting injury to the knee. During the injury, the meniscus is strained so much that it tears. In patients with arthritis (articular cartilage breakdown) in the knee, the meniscus may tear without a significant twisting injury. This type of tear is called a degenerative tear. The meniscus tears because it is no longer healthy.

Symptoms

  • Pain and swelling on the inside of the knee
  • Catching in the knee
  • A sense of instability in knee with side to side motion

Diagnosis And Treatment

Dr. Welch considers each patient’s symptoms, as well as a detailed physical examination, x-rays, and usually and MRI of the knee to make the diagnosis. Some patients with meniscus tears can be treated with a combination of activity modification and a focused physical therapy program. Physical therapy focuses on maintaining knee range of motion and strengthening certain muscle-tendon unit that provide stability to the knee, such as the quadriceps and hamstrings. Other patients with persistent symptoms or certain tear patterns (such as a meniscal root tear) require surgery.

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