Meniscus tears are among the most common knee injuries. If you are suffering from it or is highly likely to be affected, here’s what you need to know. Learn more: https://www.drandrewdutton.com/blog/meniscus-tears-symptoms-treatment

1. D R A N D R E W Q U O C D U T T O N
w w w . d r a n d r e w d u t t o n . c o m
M e n i s c u s T e a r s :
S y m p t o m s a n d T r e a t m e n t O p t i o n s

2. Copyright © 2019 Dr. Andrew Quoc Dutton. All Rights Reserved
A t o r n m e n i s c u s i s a c o m m o n
s p o r t s i n j u r y , e s p e c i a l l y i n
c o n t a c t s p o r t s l i k e f o o t b a l l
a n d h o c k e y .
O v e r 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 m e n i s c u s t e a r s
a r e r e p o r t e d e v e r y y e a r .
2

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A meniscus tear occurs when the knee twists
suddenly in another direction while your feet is
planted on the ground. You might feel a “pop”
followed by sharp pain.
H o w T o D e t e c t A
M e n i s c u s T e a r

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A torn meniscus will feel painful,
especially when you try to
extend it
1
You may feel some relief from
keeping it bent
2
The joint will usually swell
3
The knee will feel stiff
4
The joint can also lock and catch,
and may be unable to
support you
5
In worst cases, the knee may be
unable to function until reparative
surgery is performed
6
H o w T o D e t e c t A M e n i s c u s T e a r -
S y m p t o m s

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Immediate Care:
1. Immobilize your knee
2. Place a bandage around the area to
apply compression
3. Elevate to reduce swelling
4. Apply ice for 30 minutes for the next 3 to
4 hours
After you stabilize your knee, you’ll need to
go to your doctor for tests and to confirm
that you injured your meniscus. If your injury
is indeed a meniscus tear, then you may or
may not need surgery, depending on the
severity of your injury.
W h a t T o D o W h e n
Y o u r M e n i s c u s T e a r s

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W h a t H a p p e n s I f Y o u
D o n ’ t G e t S u r g e r y ?
• The “red zone” or the outer area of the menisci is the area that
gets supplied with nutrient rich blood
• It can heal on its own with enough rest
M e n i s c u s t e a r w i t h i n t h e “ r e d z o n e ”
• The “white zone” or the inner part of the menisci, is the area
where blood cannot reach it, therefore cannot facilitate
healing
• Tears in this region need to be surgically snipped off in a
procedure called a meniscectomy
M e n i s c u s t e a r w i t h i n t h e “ w h i t e z o n e ”

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M e n i s c u s T e a r S u r g e r y
• It is carried out with the help of a long and narrow instrument with a tiny camera at the tip
• It is inserted through a small cut, and helps the surgeon maneuver instruments to repair the meniscus
K N E E A R T H R O S C O P Y
• The surgeon cut off strips of unsalvageable meniscus
• It may also involve a meniscus repair, where the surgeon stitches together the torn parts of the meniscus in hopes of facilitating
healing
M E N I S C E C T O M Y
• Required for severe tears for better recovery and repair
O P E N K N E E S U R G E R Y
M e n i s c u s T e a r S u r g e r y

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R e c o v e r y T i m e
Treatment plans differ for each person depending on the type of tear
they’ve sustained and the type of surgical procedure they’ve undergone.
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T R E A T M E N T T Y P E R E C O V E R Y T I M E T R E A T M E N T P L A N
Non-surgical Treatment 6 to 8 weeks Take anti-inflammatory medications
Refrain from strenuous activities
Do stretch and strengthening exercises for the knee and joint
Use a knee brace when moving around
Surgical Treatment:
Meniscectomy
Meniscus Repair
3 to 4 weeks
3 months
Rehabilitation therapy after the surgery and before going back to sports

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• Keep the area dry up until 3 days after surgery to
avoid infection
• Control swelling by icing but taking care not to
burn the skin
• Avoid putting weight on the affected knee
K n e e C a r e A f t e r
S u r g e r y

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• Use crutches for the next 2 weeks following
surgery
• When lying down, avoid placing a pillow directly
under the knee that may cause it to bend (Place
the pillows, instead, beneath the ankle or foot to
elevate)
Some numbness and pain after the surgery is normal.
However, if the pain becomes intolerable, or is
accompanied by fever, redness around the surgical
site, and excessive fluid discharge, then you should
call your doctor as soon as possible.
K n e e C a r e A f t e r
S u r g e r y

11. Copyright © 2019 Dr. Andrew Quoc Dutton. All Rights Reserved
Dr. Dutton has been in clinical practice since 1996 after graduating from Marist College,
Canberra and the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Dr. Dutton has worked at the Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney and the St. George
Hospital, Sydney before completing his orthopaedic surgery training in Singapore.
He completed his subspecialty training and was on staff at the Massachusetts General
Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA. During this time he was trained in
complex surgeries of the Hip and Knee, while caring for patients that came for
treatment from all across the USA and the staff at Harvard University.
Learn more about Dr Dutton, here.
DR ANDREW QUOC DUTTON
A Harvard Fellowship-trained Australian Orthopaedic Surgeon
www.drandrewdutton.com
(+65) 68368000 (+65) 68367617
3 Mt Elizabeth Medical Centre, Level 12. Suite 12-10 Singapore 228510
D R A N D R E W Q U O C D U T T O N
Orthopaedic & Sports Clinic