The advantages are that it involves minimal risk to the patient and that it yields a fairly accurate picture of soft tissues of the knee. Also, MRI may reveal abnormalities that were not suspected on the clinical exam and thus may influence treatment. There are generally three treatment options for meniscal tears. Nonsurgical treatment includes the use of anti-inflammatory medications as well as physical therapy to prevent weakness and stiffness of the quadriceps, the large muscles in the front of the thigh. One drawback to this approach is that a potentially repairable tear may become irreparable.
Small tears are especially good candidates for nonoperative therapy.
Partial tears are repaired arthroscopically. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, in an arthroscopic examination, an orthopaedic surgeon makes a small incision in the patient's skin and then inserts pencil-sized instruments, called arthroscopes, that contain a small lens and lighting system to magnify and illuminate the structures inside the joint. Via a miniature camera, the surgeon is able to see the interior of the joint through this very small incision rather than the large incision needed for traditional surgery. The surgeon can determine the amount or type of injury and then repair or correct the problem, if it is necessary. This minimally invasive approach lessens the disruption of normal tissue and allows for rapid rehabilitation.