Meniscus tear

The meniscus is a cartilaginous structure in the knee that acts as a shock absorber and stabilizer on both the inside and outside of the knee. This tissue can tear due to an injury (acute tear) such as a sudden twist during sport or due to wear (degenerative tear). In the second case, which is usually age-related, even small everyday movements such as a deep squat are enough to cause a tear.

A meniscus tear often leads to severe pain, swelling, instability and restriction of the range of motion. Initially, a meniscus tear can be treated with rest, cooling, compression and elevation (known in English as the R.I.C.E. method: rest, ice, compression, elevation) as well as physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory medication, anti-inflammatory corticosteroid injections or hyaluronic acid.

If this conservative therapy cannot alleviate the symptoms, surgery on the meniscus is necessary. This surgery is usually performed arthroscopically, i.e. using state-of-the-art camera technology, which only requires small incisions in the skin. Depending on the type and extent of the tear, either the tear is completely sutured or the torn part of the meniscus is removed as sparingly as possible. I will be happy to provide you with detailed information about the appropriate surgical method in a detailed consultation in my medical practice.