Meniscus Tear
Meniscus Tear Treatment in Houston, TX
A meniscus tear is one of the most common knee injuries, often caused by twisting or rotational movements during sports or daily activities. Mark S. Adickes, MD provides advanced treatment for meniscus tears in Houston, Texas, helping patients reduce pain, restore knee function, and return to an active lifestyle with personalized care.
What Is a Meniscus Tear?
The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage in the knee that acts as a shock absorber between the thigh bone and shin bone. Each knee has two menisci that help stabilize the joint and distribute weight. A meniscus tear occurs when this cartilage is damaged, often due to twisting motions or sudden changes in direction.
Meniscus tears are especially common in athletes but can also occur with age-related degeneration.
Common Symptoms of a Meniscus Tear
Patients with a meniscus tear may experience:
- Knee pain and tenderness
- Swelling and stiffness
- A catching or locking sensation
- Difficulty fully straightening the knee
- Reduced range of motion
Symptoms can vary depending on the size and location of the tear.
Who Is a Candidate for Treatment?
Treatment depends on the severity of the tear and your activity level. You may benefit from evaluation if you have:
- Persistent knee pain that does not improve with rest
- Mechanical symptoms like locking or catching
- Limited mobility affecting daily activities
- A sports-related knee injury
Not all meniscus tears require surgery—many can be treated with conservative care such as physical therapy and medication.
Why Early Diagnosis Matters
Untreated meniscus tears can worsen over time and may lead to additional joint damage, including cartilage wear and early arthritis. Early evaluation helps determine the most effective treatment plan and supports better long-term outcomes.
The two wedge-shape cartilage pieces present between the thighbone and the shinbone are called meniscus. They stabilize the knee joint and act as “shock absorbers”. A meniscus tear is the most common knee injury in athletes, especially those involved in contact sports. A sudden bend or twist in your knee can cause the meniscus to tear, which is known as a traumatic meniscus tear. Elderly people are more prone to degenerative meniscal tears as the cartilage wears out and weakens with age.
A torn meniscus causes pain, swelling, stiffness, a catching or a locking sensation in your knee, making you unable to move your knee through its complete range of motion.
Will I Need Surgery?
Dr. Mark Adickes will examine your knee and evaluate your symptoms and medical history before suggesting a treatment plan. The treatment depends on the type, size and location of meniscus tear, as well your age and activity level. If the meniscus tear is small with damage in only the outer edge of the meniscus, nonsurgical treatment may be sufficient. However, if the symptoms do not resolve with nonsurgical treatment, meniscus surgery may be recommended.
If you have suffered a meniscus tear in Houston, TX and are considering meniscus surgery, contact Dr. Adickes today to schedule an appointment.
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Meniscus Surgery
A knee arthroscopy is the most commonly recommended surgical procedure for a meniscus tear. Meniscus surgery treatment options include meniscus removal (meniscectomy), meniscus repair, and meniscus replacement. Surgery can be performed using arthroscopy where a tiny camera will be inserted through a small incision which enables the surgeon to view inside of your knee on a large screen. The meniscus surgery is then performed through other surrounding small incisions. During a meniscectomy, small instruments called shavers or scissors may be used to remove the torn meniscus. In an arthroscopic meniscus repair, the torn meniscus will be pinned or sutured depending on the extent of the meniscus tear.
Meniscus replacement or transplantation involves replacement of a torn cartilage with the cartilage obtained from a donor or a cultured patch obtained from laboratory. It is considered as a treatment option to relieve knee pain in patients who have undergone a meniscectomy.
Meniscus Tear & Meniscus Surgery FAQs
What Are The Symptoms Of A Meniscus Tear?
There are two menisci in each knee, one on each side of the kneecap. These C-shaped pieces of cartilage provide cushioning between the thighbone and the shinbone. A sharp rotation of the knee could result in injury to one or more pieces of cartilage. Signs that you may have a torn meniscus include:
- Pain when you rotate the knee
- Stiffness and swelling
- A popping sensation
- Limited range of motion or “locking” of the knee
What Should I Expect From Meniscus Surgery?
Depending on the extent of the injury, conservative treatments such as rest, ice, and medication may be prescribed first. In some cases, surgery is the necessary approach to a meniscus tear. There are three surgical approaches to repair a torn meniscus:
- Arthroscopic repair involves small incisions in the knee and the insertion of a tiny tube called an arthroscope. Small surgical devices are placed along the tear to act as internal sutures. These devices absorb over time as the body naturally heals damaged cartilage.
- Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy may be performed to remove a portion of the torn meniscus and restore proper joint function.
- Arthroscopic total meniscectomy involves the removal of the entire damaged meniscus.
Comfort and joint function are expected to improve as a result of meniscus repair.
What Are The Risks Of Meniscus Tear Surgery?
Meniscus repair is a low-risk surgery after which it is rare for complications to occur. Risks include infection, which can be treated with antibiotics. There is also a risk of continued joint stiffness.
How Long Is Recovery?
Recovery time varies depending on several factors, including the severity of the initial injury and the extensiveness of surgery. Simple meniscus repair surgery may incur a recovery time of approximately 3 months, during which the first 6 weeks require crutches and a brace. More extensive repair may require bracing the prevents knee movement for up to 6 weeks, followed by 8 weeks on crutches and physical therapy to progress healing over about a six-month period.
Dr. Adickes serves patients in Houston TX with meniscus tear treatment and meniscus surgery. Contact him at .
Treatment Options for Meniscus Tears
Treatment for a meniscus tear depends on the size, location, and severity of the injury. Options may include:
- Non-surgical care: rest, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications
- Meniscus repair: stitching the torn cartilage to allow healing
- Partial meniscectomy: removing the damaged portion of the meniscus
- Meniscus replacement (rare): using donor tissue in severe cases
Many procedures are performed arthroscopically using small incisions, allowing for faster recovery and less disruption to surrounding tissue.
Meniscus Tear Recovery Timeline
Recovery varies depending on the type of treatment:
- Non-surgical treatment: several weeks for symptom improvement
- Meniscectomy: return to normal activity within a few weeks
- Meniscus repair: recovery may take several months
- Full recovery: up to 3–6 months depending on activity level
Rehabilitation and physical therapy play a critical role in restoring strength and mobility.
Why Choose Mark S. Adickes, MD for Meniscus Tear Treatment?
Patients choose Dr. Adickes for his expertise in sports medicine and individualized approach to care. As a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon and former professional athlete, he understands the importance of restoring performance and function. His focus on minimally invasive techniques helps patients recover efficiently and return to the activities they enjoy.
