Suggest Treatment For Focal Tear Of The Posterior Root Of Lateral Meniscus

Posted on Tue, 28 Apr 2015

Question: I have received advice from several other physicians here on this topic recently, and I would like to seek one additional opinion from an orthopedic surgeon. I was diagnosed several weeks ago with a tear of the posterior root of the left lateral meniscus. My symptoms began in early January with mild tightness, but I did not begin experiencing pain until late February. For the last few years, I have run 6-8 miles per day, but I had to stop running in late February due to knee pain. I have uploaded a copy of my MRI scans to my Dropbox account, which is linked below:

https://www.dropbox.comxxx

Based on my MRI scans, how bad does the root tear look? Is it only a partial tear of a few millimeters, or is it much bigger? Is it likely to heal on its own, or will it likely require surgical intervention? Also, does it appear to be in the red zone (healing zone) or white zone (non-healing zone) of the meniscus?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Partial tear of few millimeters.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
I have seen the attached reports. There is a small focal tear of the posterior root of lateral meniscus. It seems to be a partial tear of few millimeters. Usually such small tears do heal with rest and elastic brace. It does not need a surgical intervention. Since already almost 8 weeks have passed with proper rest it would have partially healed by now.
Avoid all painful activities and do a hot compress twice a day for better healing.
The tear appears to be in red zone. So the possibility of healing conservatively is present.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (42 hours later)

Dr. Tayal, thanks for answering my question. Is it normal for there to still be pain/stiffness with activity, even though the injury has been present for at least 8 weeks? In your estimation, how long should it take for the injury to fully heal?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It should heal by 8 weeks.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
Such minor tears usually heal in 6-8 weeks. The persistent pain and stiffness can be due to minor inflammation in the knee joint. Doing a hot compress and taking knee lubricant supplements like Glucosamine with regular physiotherapy will help in regaining the normal strength and range of movement of the knee joint.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (1 hour later)

Thanks; I have just one other questio. If I bend my knee, transfer my weight to the outside of the knee, and then straighten my leg with my weight on it, I can feel a specific pain (almost like tendinitis) on the posterolateral side of the knee. It is not that severe, but it is somewhat sharp. If this pain hasn't gone away by the end of April, do you think I will need surgery?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (58 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Can be due to inflammation.

Detailed Answer:
If the sudden sharp pain in the posterolateral side of the knee persists then you can consider getting local steroid injection to reduce the inflammation. In case the pain still persists then surgical treatment can be considered.
Regards.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D