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Meniscus Tears

Los Angeles Pediatric Orthopaedics Our Services Meniscus Tears

Los Angeles Pediatric Orthopaedics

Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgeons & Sports Medicine Specialists located in Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA

Meniscus tears are some of the most common knee injuries in children and adolescents. At Los Angeles Pediatric Orthopaedics in the Brentwood neighborhood on the Westside of Los Angeles, skilled pediatric orthopedic surgeons Jonathan H. Koenig, MD, and Thomas Grogan, MD, treat these injuries to restore your child’s joints and ability to stay active. Schedule an evaluation by calling the office or booking an appointment online today.

Meniscus Tears Q&A

What are meniscus tears?

Meniscus tears involve injury to the meniscus — a wedge-shaped part of your knee consisting of fibrocartilage. This cartilage is pliable, tough material inside of the middle of your knee and outside of your knee. It acts as a shock absorber and stabilizer. 

Meniscus tears can lead to knee pain and instability. However, treatment can fix this.

What are the symptoms of meniscus tears?

The symptoms of meniscus tears include:

 

  • Stiffness
  • Swelling
  • Knee tenderness
  • Popping sensation in your knee
  • Pain when rotating or twisting the knee
  • Locking of the knee joint
  • Difficulty fully straightening your knee
  • Fluid buildup in your knee
  • Instability

 

These symptoms can prevent you from being able to bear weight, exercise, or play sports without discomfort. Treatment at Los Angeles Pediatric Orthopaedics can restore the health of an injured knee.

What are the risk factors of meniscus tears?

Meniscus injuries may develop because of:

 

  • Playing sports, particularly contact sports
  • Pivoting
  • Cutting
  • Decelerating 
  • Forcefully rotating the knee
  • Twisting your knee
  • Overuse injuries
  • Repetitive stress
  • Sudden stops and turns
  • Heavy lifting
  • Deep squatting 
  • Carrying excess body weight
  • Playing basketball, football, tennis, or similar sports

 

More than 500,000 meniscus tears happen each year in the United States, and they increasingly occur in children and teenagers. Meniscus tears often happen in combination with a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or other similar injuries.

How are meniscus tears diagnosed?

Diagnosing meniscus tears at Los Angeles Pediatric Orthopaedics involves a review of your child’s symptoms and medical history, a discussion of how the injury occurred, and a physical exam. 

 

Your provider checks for pain along the joint line and moves your child’s knee in various positions. They may order an MRI, X-rays, arthroscopy, or additional diagnostic tests.

How are meniscus tears treated?

Treating meniscus tears may involve one or more of the following solutions:

 

  • Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE)
  • Medications
  • Altered physical activity 
  • Crutches to reduce pressure on the knee
  • Physical therapy
  • Shoe inserts or arch supports
  • Injections 
  • Meniscus repair surgery

 

If a meniscus tear doesn’t heal with conservative options, your child might need surgery to reduce pain and restore knee function. 

After a period of healing, about 98% of individuals with simple meniscus tears can return to their regular activities, including sports, without further knee instability. 

 

If you suspect a meniscus tear, schedule an evaluation at Los Angeles Pediatric Orthopaedics by calling the office or requesting a visit online today.

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