Berkshire Orthopedics LLC

A Division of Keystone Orthopaedic Specialists, LLC

Contact Us: 610-375-4949

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Can You Strain Your Meniscus?

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Located in the knee, the menisci are important pieces of cartilage that help to provide cushioning and support for the joint. While rather durable, the menisci can be injured through abrupt twisting or rotation. If sudden and forceful enough, this can lead to a meniscus tear; but, can you strain your meniscus without tearing it? Let’s take a closer look at the different severities of meniscus injury and how they might be treated.

Can You Strain Your Meniscus?

While meniscus injuries most frequently happen during athletic activity, this common knee problem can also affect aging individuals with weakened knee cartilage. Aside from tearing it, can you strain your meniscus? Yes, this piece of cartilage can be strained without tearing completely. However, a strain is still a partial tear.

Depending on the particular case, a meniscus injury can range from relatively minor to debilitating. Here are some important things to keep in mind when facing a meniscus injury:

  • A strained/partially torn meniscus can cause pain, swelling and reduced knee function. Fortunately, this mild sort of meniscus injury can typically be managed with conservative treatments like resting and icing the affected knee. 
  • A fully torn meniscus can come with worse symptoms and may require more involved treatment. Meniscal injuries are rated by grade, from 1-3, with 1 & 2 being considered mild to moderate and 3 being considered more severe. 
  • While many patients have success with nonsurgical treatments, surgery is necessary in some cases to fully alleviate symptoms. Surgical treatment is more likely to be needed for larger, more severe tears or those located on the inner edge of the meniscus. 

Seeing an orthopedic specialist right away is crucial to enable healing for a meniscus injury that isn’t improving with at-home treatment. This professional can create an individualized treatment plan based on the location and severity of the meniscus injury, along with the individual’s age and activity level.

See Dr. Soffer for Personalized Knee Care

If you’re having continual knee discomfort, you may be wondering if it’s from strain or something more severe. In either case, an orthopedic expert like Dr. Stephen Soffer can help by precisely diagnosing your condition and prescribing treatment to help you get on the road to recovery. 

Dr. Soffer completed a sports medicine fellowship with Dr. James Andrews as part of his rigorous training. Today, he is proud to offer nonsurgical strategies as well as open and arthroscopic meniscus repair surgery for patients throughout Berks County. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Soffer, call our office at 610-375-4949.

Will a Knee Replacement Get Rid of Arthritis?

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Living with knee arthritis can be very painful and may take away from one’s ability to enjoy their hobbies, perform their occupation or even complete routine daily tasks. Patients experiencing ongoing knee pain or limited mobility that affects them significantly might wonder: “Will a knee replacement get rid of arthritis?” While the results of knee replacement surgery will differ from person to person, patients can generally expect an improvement in arthritis symptoms and overall knee functionality from a knee replacement. 

Will a Knee Replacement Get Rid of Arthritis?

To maximize your chances of a successful knee replacement that provides arthritis relief, it is crucial to know what to expect so you can prepare accordingly and follow a proper rehabilitation plan. Here are a few things to keep in mind when considering knee replacement surgery:

  • A knee replacement may be “total” or “partial,” depending on the extent of the damage to the knee. During total knee replacement surgery (also known as arthroplasty), the surgeon removes the diseased joint and replaces it with an orthopedic implant that mimics the function and feel of a natural knee joint. 
  • A partial knee replacement may be viable if damage is limited to only a portion of the joint. Further, minimally invasive arthroscopic knee surgery may be effective in reducing pain through the removal of loose cartilage/bone. In some cases, these procedures can delay or remove the need for a more involved total knee replacement.
  • Although knee replacement can be performed in an outpatient setting in many cases, it is still a major surgery requiring a recovery period of around three months. Patients should expect to work with a physical therapist to regain strength and range of motion in their operated knee. It can take time and patience for the knee to get stronger so that the orthopedic surgeon can lift restrictions and clear the patient to resume their normal professional duties and personal pastimes.

Depending on your age, activity level and the severity of your knee symptoms, you may or may not be a good candidate for knee replacement surgery. Visiting a knowledgeable orthopedic surgeon like Dr. Soffer in Reading, PA can give you a better idea of the most well-suited treatment options for your unique case, plus a more individualized answer to “will a knee replacement get rid of arthritis?”

Learn About State-of-the-Art Treatment Options for Knee Arthritis 

Whether your knee issues are most appropriately treated at this time with surgical knee replacement, knee arthroscopy or nonoperative methods, you can count on Dr. Soffer for top-notch care. As part of his rigorous training, Dr. Soffer completed a sports medicine fellowship with esteemed sports surgeon Dr. James Andrews. 

When you visit his office, Dr. Soffer will listen carefully as you describe your symptoms, use advanced technologies to diagnose your knee problem and provide well-matched options to help resolve your discomfort and restore your mobility. Call our office at 610-375-4949 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Soffer and make an effective plan to get back to doing what you love.

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