OrthoGeorgia Sports Medicine Specialist Dr. Zaneb Yaseen, MD Discusses Meniscus Tears

In this video, OrthoGeorgia sports medicine specialist Dr. Zaneb Yaseen discusses meniscus tears, including the symptoms, diagnostic process, and treatment methods for this common knee injury. Learn more by checking out the video or reading the transcription below.

What Does a Meniscus Tear Feel Like?

I am Dr. Zaneb Yaseen. I work for OrthoGeorgia as a sports medicine doctor. I want to talk a little bit about meniscus tears. When someone gets injured – if they’ve had a squat or a fall or a twisting injury – you can have a lot of pain, especially on one side of the knee or the other side of the knee. Basically on the inside versus the outside of the knee. Sometimes it feels like a sharp or stabbing pain and sometimes it swells. It can happen in all ages, from 10 or so all the way up to 90. It usually feels painful and swollen. A lot of times it feels sharp and catching and you can’t always bend or straighten the knee. Sometimes it hurts to put weight on it. These are very, very common injuries. 

How are Meniscus Tears Treated?

Most meniscus tears don’t need extensive treatment. We start with icing it or heating it, along with anti-inflammatories. If it’s really painful and you can’t walk on it, we often say, “see an orthopedist.” We can set you up by examining your knee, by making sure we get X-rays to make sure you don’t have any arthritis or any other abnormalities or a fracture. After that, we usually set you up with physical therapy or an anti-inflammatory. Sometimes an injection can really help calm it down. 

Will I Need Surgery for a Meniscus Tear?

Most meniscus tears get better without any surgery. But if it’s still hurting and our basic tricks don’t work, we usually get an MRI to make sure that there’s nothing more serious going on. If you have a meniscus tear and you don’t get better, the last ditch effort is surgery, where we can try to fix the meniscus with stitches or we can trim it out depending on who you are, how old you are, and what needs you have. The vast majority of people do well. Our job is just to try to get you better and get you back to moving. So if you have any symptoms like that, please call us at OrthoGeorgia.

Orthopedic Care for Knee Injuries in Central GA

At OrthoGeorgia, we are proud to provide our patients with comprehensive total joint care, including the diagnosis and treatment of all manner of knee injuries and conditions. Whether you were injured on the sports field or in your own backyard, the members of our team are here to help you get back to living and moving comfortably. With orthopedic clinic locations in Macon (Building A and our Macon Spine Center), Warner Robins, Kathleen, Milledgeville, Dublin, and Locust Grove, our orthopedic specialists are here for you. Contact your nearest OrthoGeorgia location to schedule an appointment today!