A meniscus tear is a common injury whose severity depends on several factors, including the tear's size, location, and the patient's age and activity level. While some minor, degenerative tears can be managed with non-surgical treatments, others are a significant deal and may require surgery to prevent long-term complications like chronic pain, instability, and the early onset of osteoarthritis.
A meniscus tear can get better on its own without treatment, but it can take a while to heal. Sometimes, physiotherapy may be recommended to help reduce pain and improve movement and strength in the knee. If the damage is severe, you may need arthroscopy surgery to repair or remove the damaged cartilage.
In dogs, the stifle (knee) joint sits between the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone), surrounded by two c-shaped structures called the menisci (or meniscal cartilage). They are made of a rubbery cartilage that, as well as improving the fit of the joint, acts as a shock absorber.
Three signs that you may have a torn cartilage (meniscus tear) are: Pain along the sides of the joint, or pain in the back of the knee which moves towards the back of the calf. The pain is usually worse when you put weight on the knee. It may be aggravated with twisting movements.
Small tears often heal on their own, while others may require arthroscopic surgery. Work with your healthcare providers to develop a treatment and rehabilitation plan that gets you back to your favorite activities — without pain — safely. Most people fully recover from a torn meniscus.
You might develop the following signs and symptoms in your knee:
Tears associated with arthritis often improve over time with treatment of the arthritis, so surgery usually isn't indicated. Many other tears that aren't associated with locking or a block to knee motion will become less painful over time, so they also don't require surgery. Your doctor might recommend: Rest.
Limping or lameness – A dog with a torn meniscus often shows a sudden return of limping after initial TPLO recovery. The lameness may come and go, worsening after activity. Difficulty bearing weight on the affected leg – Dogs may hesitate to put full weight on the injured leg, sometimes lifting it when standing still.
This can occur when torn meniscus pieces catch in the joint during movement. For example, the torn cartilage may shift when walking, squatting, or climbing stairs, causing a popping sensation or sound.
Radial Meniscus Tear
These types of tears are found in the avascular area of the meniscus, which means there is no blood flowing to this area. Because of this, it's exceedingly difficult for this type of injury to heal naturally.
Understand exactly what surgery is planned, along with the risks, benefits, and other options. If you take a medicine that prevents blood clots, your doctor may tell you to stop taking it before your surgery. Or your doctor may tell you to keep taking it. (These medicines include aspirin and other blood thinners.)
How is a meniscus tear treated? If your MRI indicates a Grade 1 or 2 tear, but your symptoms and physical exam are inconsistent with a tear, surgery may not be needed. Grade 3 meniscus tears usually require surgery, which may include: Arthroscopic repair — An arthroscope is inserted into the knee to see the tear.
Surgery has risks, such as:
Most meniscus injuries get better with conservative treatment (such as physiotherapy) and in very few instances has surgery been found to provide superior outcomes both in the short and long term.
Knee catching or locking is often a glaring sign of a torn meniscus. You might feel or even hear clicking when you extend and bend your knee, or your knee might feel stuck in one position. This catching sensation usually happens alongside swelling and pain.
Over 4-6 weeks, the pain and swelling may decrease and activities of daily living may become tolerable. However, athletic activities may reproduce pain and swelling. Sometimes even activities of daily living such as going up and down stairs or getting in and out of cars may produce pain in a knee with a torn meniscus.
2. Twisting and Pivoting Movements. Sports and exercises that involve sudden changes in direction—like basketball, soccer, or tennis—are risky. These activities often require quick pivots and turns, which can catch the torn meniscus and cause further injury.