Is surgery absolutely necessary for a meniscus tear?
November 24, 2022 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Eva Ziegler
Dear Doctor,
My name is Andrea Hering and I am reaching out to you because I recently received the diagnosis of a meniscus tear. I am 45 years old and have been suffering from severe knee pain for several weeks, which greatly impacts my daily life. The pain occurs mainly when walking, stretching, or bending my knee. Additionally, I feel that my knee is unstable and I fear that it may sustain further damage under strain.
I feel uncertain and overwhelmed as I am unsure if surgery is absolutely necessary for a meniscus tear. I am worried about the healing process and my long-term mobility. Are there alternative treatment methods that I should consider? What is the risk of complications with surgery and how could it affect my life? Are there measures I can take to alleviate my symptoms and support the healing process?
I would greatly appreciate it if you could provide me with your expert opinion on my situation and suggest possible solutions. I would like to make informed decisions about my health and hope that you can assist me in this matter.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Sincerely,
Andrea Hering
Dear Mrs. Hering,
Thank you for your message and for trusting in my expertise. I'm sorry to hear that you are suffering from a meniscus tear and experiencing severe pain in your knee. A meniscus tear can indeed be very painful and significantly affect mobility. It is understandable that you feel uncertain and have questions regarding treatment options.
When it comes to the necessity of surgery for a meniscus tear, it is important to know that not every meniscus tear needs to be operated on immediately. The decision to have surgery or not depends on various factors, such as the location and size of the tear, your age, your level of activity, and your individual symptoms. In some cases, conservative treatments like physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and wearing a brace may be sufficient to alleviate symptoms and support the healing process.
If surgery is necessary, arthroscopic surgery is usually performed. This involves minimally invasive repair of the meniscus tear through small incisions in the knee. The risks of a meniscus operation are generally low, but as with any surgical procedure, there can be complications such as infections, bruising, or injuries to surrounding structures. It is important that you discuss the risks and potential side effects in detail with your treating physician before the operation.
To alleviate your symptoms and support the healing process, you can also take active measures in addition to medically prescribed treatments. Regular exercise that does not overload the knee can help strengthen the muscles and improve knee stability. Cooling the knee, taking anti-inflammatory medications, and wearing a brace can also help alleviate symptoms.
In conclusion, it is important to make individual decisions about treatment options. Therefore, talk to your treating physician about your concerns and wishes in order to find the best treatment plan for you together.
I hope that my information has been helpful to you and I am available for any further questions you may have.
Best regards,
Eva Ziegler
