Dr. Andrew Quoc Dutton | Meniscus Tears: Symptoms and Treatment Options

1. D R A N D R E W Q U O C D U T T O N Meniscus Tears: Symptoms and Treatment Options w w w . d r a n d r e w d u t t o n . c o m

2. A torn meniscus is a common sports injury, especially in contact sports like football and hockey. Over 500,000 meniscus tears are reported every year. 2 Copyright © 2019 Dr. Andrew Quoc Dutton. All Rights Reserved

3. How To Detect A Meniscus Tear A meniscus tear occurs when the knee twists suddenly in another direction while your feet is planted on the ground. You might feel a “pop” followed by sharp pain. 3 Copyright © 2019 Dr. Andrew Quoc Dutton. All Rights Reserved

4. H o w T o D e t e c t A M e n i s c u s T e a r - S y m p t o m s 1 2 3 A torn meniscus will feel painful, You may feel some relief from The joint will usually swell especially when you try to keeping it bent extend it 4 5 6 The knee will feel stiff The joint can also lock and catch, In worst cases, the knee may be and may be unable to unable to function until reparative support you surgery is performed 4 Copyright © 2019 Dr. Andrew Quoc Dutton. All Rights Reserved

5. W h a t T o D o W h e n Y o u r M e n i s c u s T e a r s Immediate Care: 1. Immobilize your knee 2. Place a bandage around the area to apply compression 3. Elevate to reduce swelling 4. Apply ice for 30 minutes for the next 3 to 4 hours After you stabilize your knee, you’ll need to go to your doctor for tests and to confirm that you injured your meniscus. If your injury is indeed a meniscus tear, then you may or may not need surgery, depending on the severity of your injury. 5 Copyright © 2019 Dr. Andrew Quoc Dutton. All Rights Reserved

6. W h a t H a p p e n s I f Y o u D o n ’ t G e t S u r g e r y ? M e n i s c u s t e a r w i t h i n t h e “ r e d z o n e ” • The “red zone” or the outer area of the menisci is the area that gets supplied with nutrient rich blood • It can heal on its own with enough rest M e n i s c u s t e a r w i t h i n t h e “ w h i t e z o n e ” • The “white zone” or the inner part of the menisci, is the area where blood cannot reach it, therefore cannot facilitate healing • Tears in this region need to be surgically snipped off in a procedure called a meniscectomy 6 Copyright © 2019 Dr. Andrew Quoc Dutton. All Rights Reserved

7. Meniscus Tear Surgery M e n i s c u s T e a r S u r g e r y K N E E A R T H R O S C O P Y • It is carried out with the help of a long and narrow instrument with a tiny camera at the tip • It is inserted through a small cut, and helps the surgeon maneuver instruments to repair the meniscus M E N I S C E C T O M Y • The surgeon cut off strips of unsalvageable meniscus • It may also involve a meniscus repair, where the surgeon stitches together the torn parts of the meniscus in hopes of facilitating healing O P E N K N E E S U R G E R Y • Required for severe tears for better recovery and repair 7 Copyright © 2019 Dr. Andrew Quoc Dutton. All Rights Reserved

8. R e c o v e r y T i m e Treatment plans differ for each person depending on the type of tear they’ve sustained and the type of surgical procedure they’ve undergone. T R E A T M E N T T Y P E R E C O V E R Y T I M E T R E A T M E N T P L A N Non-surgical Treatment 6 to 8 weeks Take anti-inflammatory medications Refrain from strenuous activities Do stretch and strengthening exercises for the knee and joint Use a knee brace when moving around Surgical Treatment: Surgical Treatment: Meniscectomy Meniscus Repair 3 to 4 weeks 3 months Rehabilitation therapy after the surgery and before going back to sports 8 Copyright © 2019 Dr. Andrew Quoc Dutton. All Rights Reserved

9. K n e e C a r e A f t e r S u r g e r y Keep the area dry up until 3 days after surgery to avoid infection Control swelling by icing but taking care not to burn the skin Avoid putting weight on the affected knee • • • 9 Copyright © 2019 Dr. Andrew Quoc Dutton. All Rights Reserved

10. K n e e C a r e A f t e r S u r g e r y Use crutches for the next 2 weeks following surgery When lying down, avoid placing a pillow directly under the knee that may cause it to bend (Place the pillows, instead, beneath the ankle or foot to elevate) • • Some numbness and pain after the surgery is normal. However, if the pain becomes intolerable, or is accompanied by fever, redness around the surgical site, and excessive fluid discharge, then you should call your doctor as soon as possible. 10 Copyright © 2019 Dr. Andrew Quoc Dutton. All Rights Reserved

11. DR ANDREW QUOC DUTTON A Harvard Fellowship-trained Australian Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr. Dutton has been in clinical practice since 1996 after graduating from Marist College, Canberra and the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. Dr. Dutton has worked at the Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney and the St. George Hospital, Sydney before completing his orthopaedic surgery training in Singapore. He completed his subspecialty training and was on staff at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA. During this time he was trained in complex surgeries of the Hip and Knee, while caring for patients that came for treatment from all across the USA and the staff at Harvard University. Learn more about Dr Dutton, here. DR ANDREW QUOC DUTTON Orthopaedic & Sports Clinic www.drandrewdutton.com (+65) 68368000 (+65) 68367617 3 Mt Elizabeth Medical Centre, Level 12. Suite 12-10 Singapore 228510 Copyright © 2019 Dr. Andrew Quoc Dutton. All Rights Reserved