Sam Akhavan, MD
Pittsburgh Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Doctor
Arthroscopy Surgeon for Knee & Shoulder Surgery, Pain and Injuries
SHOULDER
ARTHROSCOPY
SURGEON
KNEE
ARTHROSCOPY
SURGEON
Meniscus Tears
There are two menisci in every knee, one on the inside (medial meniscus) and one on the outside (lateral meniscus).
The main function of the meniscus is to act as a shock absorber within the knee.
Lateral Meniscus,
Viewed From the top
Medial Meniscus,
Viewed From the top
Treatment of Meniscus Tears
In most cases, the meniscus tear can be trimmed, leaving as much normal meniscus as possible.
In some cases, the meniscus tear can even be repaired by putting stitches in it.
For a tear to be repairable, it must have blood supply. Only the outer third of the meniscus has blood supply. Whether the tear has blood supply or not is the main determinant of whether a tear will be repairable
Dr. Akhavan performs surgery for meniscus tears at three hospitals in Pittsburgh, PA- The Allegheny General Hospital Surgery Center on the North SIde, The Wexford Health and Wellness Pavillion and Sewickley Heritage Valley.
These procedures are performed as an outpatient with nearly all patients going home the same day.
A tear of the medial meniscus
An MRI showing a displaced meniscus tear
Diagnosis of Meniscus Tears
Meniscus tears are among the most common injuries seen in orthopaedics.
Typically, meniscus tears will present with pain, swelling, clicking, popping and locking within the knee.
A definitive diagnosis of a meniscus tear can be made with an MRI of the knee
Click Below for a video of a partial meniscectomy
(trimming of a meniscus tear)
Click Below for a video of a meniscus repair
A schematic as well as a microscopic picture of the blood supply of the menisicus. Notice that only the periphery has blood supply
