Meniscus Repair Surgery in Houston

The human knee may seem like a simple hinge joint at first glance, but in reality, it contains a complex array of components that lend the joint both mobility and stability. When a piece of cartilage called a meniscus sustains significant damage, you may find it uncomfortable or even impossible to go about your everyday tasks. That’s when you should contact NW Surgery to discuss whether you might need meniscus repair surgery in Houston

What Is a Meniscus?Medical illustration of knee with Meniscus Repair

Every human knee contains two wedge-shaped or C-shaped pieces of cartilage on each side of the joint. These pieces of cartilage act as shock absorbers, transferring stress from the tibia to the femur that might otherwise cause joint damage and pain. They also help the knee joint move in a stable, predictable manner. When a meniscus tears, it can no longer perform these functions adequately.

What Are the Common Causes of a Meniscus Tear?

Unfortunately, tears occur with astonishing frequency, affecting an estimated one million Americans in any given year. These tears may develop for any of the following reasons:

  • Old Man holding his knee feeling of intense pain cause by Meniscus Direct impact – A blow to the knee while the knee is bearing your weight, can cause an acute meniscus tear. Such injuries often occur in contact sports.
  • Torsion injury – Even if your knee doesn’t receive a direct impact, you can tear your meniscus yourself if you twist or pivot sharply with your knee planted.
  • Age-related degeneration – Like other joint tissues, it can weaken and wear down after years of normal wear and tear. Eventually, a simple misjudged move can tear the compromised cartilage.

What Are the Symptoms of a Torn Meniscus?

The symptoms can resemble those of other knee tissue tears. They include:

  • Popping or clicking – At the moment the meniscus actually tears, you might hear a popping noise or feel a clicking sensation in the knee.
  • Discomfort – Even if your knee can still bear weight, you’ll probably find standing and walking painful. The discomfort will grow worse as you keep using the knee.
  • Catching sensations – You may feel a strange stiffness in the form of a catching sensation when you attempt to bend or use your knee.
  • Instability – you may feel as if your knee is ready to buckle with every step you take.

Man holding his knee feeling of intense pain cause by Meniscus Treatment for a tear depends on the tear’s location and severity. A smaller tear near the outer part of the meniscus may heal normally through conservative treatment such as rest, ice, and medication. However, a deeper or more severe tear may call for meniscus repair surgery in Houston.

Arthroscopic surgery can repair a meniscus quickly and efficiently. The surgeon makes some small cuts in the joint, then inserts elongated instruments to wash out the joint, inspect the damage, and stitch the cartilage back together. If the meniscus can’t be repaired, the surgeon can remove the parts of the tear that interfere with normal joint motion, a procedure called a meniscectomy. While surgeons prefer to repair a torn meniscus when possible, this other form of surgery may work better in some cases, such as an age-related degenerative tear.

Let NW Surgery Help You

Shot of a tray of surgical equipment in an operating room You won’t find a better facility to address your torn meniscus than NW Surgery. As Houston’s premier and most established physician-owned orthopedic surgery facility, we have access to some of the world’s finest orthopedic experts. We’ve dedicated ourselves to offering the very best in orthopedic surgical care since 1999, helping patients overcome a variety of knee, wrist, hand, foot, ankle, and spinal conditions.

In addition to state-of-the-art arthroscopic surgery techniques, our doctors can also provide advanced pain management solutions for people who have had no success with conventional pain relief methods. For your convenience, we’re happy to accept many health insurance policies, but we’re also happy to work with individuals who don’t carry health insurance.

Take the First Step Toward a Healthier Knee

If your meniscus can’t get the help it needs from conservative treatment, turn to the experts of meniscus repair surgery in Houston. NW Surgery’s doctors have access to the skills, experience, and technology that can help you regain comfortable weight-bearing and joint mobility. Contact us to schedule a consultation so we can connect you with a top-quality orthopedic specialist.