Other times an MRI scan will be obtained to visualize the meniscus and assess its integrity. A good MRI scanner has a very high accuracy rate in determining if a tear is present. Once a meniscal tear has been diagnosed it should be treated. This doesn't have to be done urgently although patients with a painful locked knee may want surgery as soon as scheduling permits. Arthroscopic surgery is the only way to treat the tear since there are currently no medications, braces, or physical therapy treatments that have been shown to promote healing in the avascular tears.
Arthroscopic surgery is performed on an outpatient basis.
The remaining meniscal rim is then balanced and contoured to provide a gradually tapered transition into the area of the resection. The surgeon tries to leave as much normal meniscal cartilage as possible since this is an important shock-absorbing structure. On the other hand, if there is a vertical tear at the peripheral rim of the meniscus which is confined to the zone of meniscal blood supply, it is possible and desirable to repair the meniscus. A repair allows the entire meniscus to be saved and retained whereas removing a peripheral tear would require resection of a very large portion of the meniscus. Technique of Arthroscopic Meniscal Repair There are a variety of surgical techniques available for repairing a torn meniscus.