It is common for adults in their 50s and 60s to have degenerative meniscus tears of the knee along with arthritis changes in that knee. In this Ask Dr. Geier video, I explain why orthopaedic surgeons often do not proceed with surgery for a meniscus tear like we do with younger patients.
Manny in California asks:
I am a 77 year old male with dancing as my main sport plus some activity in the gym. Almost three months ago some small pains developed in the right knee mostly on the lateral and rear, mostly with flexion. Extending the knee usually causes a click. An MRI showed a horizontal cleavage tear with 10-13 mm cyst and grade 2-3 patellar chondrosis. I’ve seen two orthopedic surgeons who have different views on whether I should have surgery now or wait. I can’t decide. Almost minimal symptoms. They say it’s nonrepairable. No surgery could cause tear to worsen though. What are your views?
In the past, orthopaedic surgeons often performed arthroscopic debridements to clean up degenerative meniscus tears and arthritis of the knee. The long-term results of those surgeries have not proven as successful as we might have hoped. There are patients for whom surgery to trim out a meniscus tear can be helpful, though. In this video, I discuss the pros and cons of the surgery for a meniscus tear and offer some points to consider.
Also read:
Ask Dr. Geier – Failure of meniscus repairs
Ask Dr. Geier: Swelling and stiffness after meniscus surgery
Recommended Products and Resources
Click here to go to Dr. David Geier’s Amazon Influencer store!
Due to a large number of questions I have received over the years asking about products for health, injuries, performance, and other areas of sports, exercise, work and life, I have created an Amazon Influencer page. While this information and these products are not intended to treat any specific injury or illness you have, they are products I use personally, have used or have tried, or I have recommended to others. THE SITE MAY OFFER HEALTH, FITNESS, NUTRITIONAL AND OTHER SUCH INFORMATION, BUT SUCH INFORMATION IS DESIGNED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THE CONTENT DOES NOT AND IS NOT INTENDED TO CONVEY MEDICAL ADVICE AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE. YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON THIS INFORMATION AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR, NOR DOES IT REPLACE, PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT. THE SITE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ACTIONS OR INACTION ON A USER’S PART BASED ON THE INFORMATION THAT IS PRESENTED ON THE SITE. Please note that as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
