Pediatric Meniscus Tears
Meniscus Tears
Drew Warnick, MD discusses meniscus tears.
The meniscus is a C-shaped cartilage in the knee joint that helps protect the bearing surface of the knee. We are now seeing meniscal tears more often in children and young adults participating in sports, when a sudden twisting of the knee, pivoting or deceleration causes a tear in the cartilage. Signs of a torn meniscus include pain, swelling, stiffness, clicking or popping in the knee joint. Meniscal tears can also happen in conjunction with injuries to other knee ligaments.
Treatment
The most appropriate treatment depends on the location, size and pattern of the tear. Some meniscal tears can heal without surgery, but tears that cause continued pain, locking or instability of the knee often are treated with arthroscopic surgery.
When appropriate, we use minimally invasive surgical techniques to repair or trim the torn parts of the meniscus. This can help to preserve the shock-absorbing function of the meniscus, which supports the long-term health of the knee joint.
Rehabilitation and recovery
Most patients are typically able to return to activity three to six months after surgery. We work with our patients to develop a care and therapy plan that meets their individual needs.
Knee pain?
If your child has knee pain and you’re concerned he or she may have a meniscal tear, call 727-76SPORT to schedule an appointment with our Sports Medicine physicians, who will determine a diagnosis and recommend further treatment.
Need Surgery?
If your child has been diagnosed with a meniscal tear and you would like to schedule a consultation with one of our orthopaedic surgeons, call Children’s Orthopaedic and Scoliosis Surgery Associates (COSSA), L.L.P., at 727-898-2663. Surgical treatment for sports injuries at Johns Hopkins All Children’s is provided by the surgeons at COSSA.
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Drew Warnick, MD
Brian Piazza, MD
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