Meniscal Tear Treatment in Mount Pleasant, SC
A meniscal tear is one of the most common knee injuries, affecting athletes, active adults, and older individuals alike. Whether caused by a sudden twisting injury during sports or gradual wear and tear over time, a torn meniscus can lead to pain, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty bending or fully straightening the knee. Early diagnosis is important to determine the extent of the injury and whether conservative treatment or surgery is the best option.
Blake Ohlson, M.D. provides expert diagnosis and treatment for meniscal tears in Mount Pleasant, SC. As a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and regenerative medicine specialist, he offers personalized care designed to relieve pain, restore knee function, and help patients return to work, sports, and everyday activities. From non-surgical therapies and rehabilitation to advanced arthroscopic knee surgery, Dr. Ohlson develops treatment plans tailored to each patient's injury and lifestyle.
What is a Meniscus?
There are two wedge-shaped cartilage pieces present between the thighbone and the shinbone each called a meniscus. The menisci stabilize the knee joint and act as shock absorbers.
What is a Meniscal Tear?
A meniscal tear is a common knee injury in athletes, especially those involved in contact sports. A sudden bend or twist in your knee causes the meniscus to tear. Elderly people are more prone to degenerative meniscal tears as the cartilage wears out and weakens with age.
What are the Symptoms of Meniscal Tears?
A torn meniscus causes pain, swelling, stiffness, or catching or locking sensation in your knee, making you unable to move your knee through its complete range of motion.
How are Meniscal Tears Diagnosed?
Your surgeon will examine your knee and evaluate your symptoms and medical history before suggesting a treatment plan.
How are Meniscal Tears Treated?
The treatment depends on the type, size, and location of the tear, as well your age and activity level. If the tear is small with damage only in the outer edge of the meniscus, non-surgical treatment may be sufficient. However, if the symptoms do not resolve with non-surgical treatment, surgical treatment may be recommended.
Surgical Treatment for Meniscal Tears
Knee arthroscopy is a commonly recommended surgical procedure for meniscal tears.
Surgery can be performed using arthroscopy where a very small camera will be inserted through a very small incision to enable your surgeon to view the inside of your knee on a large screen. The surgery will be performed through other small incisions.
The surgical techniques include meniscus removal (meniscectomy), meniscus repair, and meniscus replacement. During meniscectomy, small instruments called shavers or scissors may be used to remove the torn meniscus. In arthroscopic meniscus repair, the torn meniscus will be pinned or sutured depending on the extent of the tear. Meniscus replacement or transplantation involves the replacement of a torn cartilage with the cartilage obtained from a donor or a cultured patch obtained from a laboratory. It is considered as a treatment option to relieve knee pain if you have undergone meniscectomy.
Why Choose Dr. Blake Ohlson for Meniscal Tear Treatment in Mount Pleasant, SC?
A torn meniscus can significantly affect knee stability, mobility, and long-term joint health if left untreated. Dr. Blake Ohlson provides comprehensive orthopedic care with a focus on preserving as much healthy cartilage as possible while helping patients achieve the best possible recovery.
Patients throughout Mount Pleasant choose Dr. Ohlson because he offers:
- Board-certified orthopedic surgery expertise
- Comprehensive evaluation of sports injuries and degenerative meniscal tears
- Advanced diagnostic imaging to accurately assess knee injuries
- Personalized non-surgical treatment plans when appropriate
- Expertise in minimally invasive arthroscopic meniscus repair and meniscectomy
- Regenerative medicine options for select patients
- Individualized rehabilitation programs focused on restoring strength, mobility, and knee stability
- Convenient care for patients throughout Mount Pleasant, Charleston, Summerville, and surrounding South Carolina communities
Dr. Ohlson's treatment philosophy emphasizes restoring knee function while helping preserve long-term joint health whenever possible.
Meniscal Tear FAQs
What causes a meniscal tear?
Meniscal tears commonly occur during activities that involve twisting or pivoting the knee while bearing weight. They may also develop gradually with age as the cartilage naturally weakens and becomes more susceptible to injury.
What are the symptoms of a torn meniscus?
Common symptoms include knee pain, swelling, stiffness, catching or locking of the knee, limited range of motion, and difficulty squatting or twisting. Some patients also experience a sensation that the knee is giving way.
Will a meniscal tear heal without surgery?
Some small tears located along the outer edge of the meniscus, where blood supply is better, may heal with conservative treatment such as rest, physical therapy, medications, and activity modification. Larger or more complex tears may require surgical repair.
How is a meniscal tear diagnosed?
Dr. Ohlson will perform a physical examination and review your symptoms before recommending imaging studies. MRI is the most common imaging test used to confirm a meniscal tear and evaluate its size and location.
What is arthroscopic meniscus surgery?
Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure performed through small incisions using a tiny camera and specialized instruments. Depending on the injury, the torn meniscus may be repaired, trimmed (partial meniscectomy), or, in select cases, replaced with donor tissue.
How long does recovery take after meniscus surgery?
Recovery varies depending on whether the meniscus is repaired or partially removed. Many patients recover within several weeks after a meniscectomy, while meniscus repairs typically require a longer rehabilitation period to allow the tissue to heal properly.
Schedule a Meniscal Tear Evaluation in Mount Pleasant, SC
Persistent knee pain, swelling, or locking after an injury shouldn't be ignored. Early evaluation can help prevent additional cartilage damage and improve your chances for a successful recovery.
Schedule your appointment with Dr. Ohlson in Mount Pleasant, SC, for expert diagnosis and treatment of meniscal tears. Serving patients throughout Mount Pleasant, Charleston, Summerville, and the surrounding South Carolina Lowcountry, Dr. Ohlson provides comprehensive orthopedic care to help you regain knee function and return to the activities you enjoy.