Understanding Cartilage Tears
Many people with cartilage tears can’t pinpoint when they got the injury. It might have happened during a simple task like crouching or kneeling to load the dishwasher—something that didn’t seem significant at the time.
Common symptoms of Cartilage Tears
Often, patients come to My Knee Doc with pain on the inner side of the knee, which gradually appeared or followed a pop or crack. You might wake up with pain and swelling. The pain can be intense at first but often improves over time. However, for some, it persists and becomes a recurring issue. If your pain doesn’t go away, it’s time to see Gareth Stables. Cartilage tears are common as we age and use our knees throughout our lives.
The assessment and diagnosis process of A Cartilage Tear
Gareth will start by reviewing your history and listening to your symptoms. He’ll ask specific questions to understand how your pain affects your daily activities. Next, he’ll perform a thorough examination of your knee, checking for swelling, range of motion, and any tender spots. This helps Gareth pinpoint the problem in most cases. To confirm the diagnosis and identify any additional issues, he may recommend an MRI scan. This scan provides a detailed view of your knee, showing cartilage, ligaments, joint surfaces, and bones. After the MRI, Gareth will schedule a follow-up consultation to explain the results in simple terms. He’ll discuss your treatment options, which could include physiotherapy, injections, or, if necessary, keyhole surgery.
surgical and non-surgical treatment options
Keyhole surgery involves making two small incisions in the front of your knee, where a camera and probes are inserted to examine the joint. If a cartilage tear is causing problems, Gareth can trim it to smooth out rough edges—like fixing a broken nail that catches on clothes. The procedure is minimally invasive, leading to a quick recovery. Most patients can walk immediately and resume normal activities within a week or two. For many, keyhole surgery is not needed. Early diagnosis and appropriate non-surgical treatments like physiotherapy, pain relief, or joint injections can effectively manage and heal the cartilage tear without surgery.
How Can You Find Out More About Working With knee pain Expert, Gareth Stables?
First of all, you can download my Free Knee Pain Report or Free ACL Injury Report addressing common ailments on knee pain issues and ACL Injuries frequently encountered in the clinic.
You can also request a Free Telephone Consultation to Speak to me and explain your Knee Pain or ACL Injury and the necessary steps to took to start your journey and fix your knee pain or ACL injury.
By using these free resources and engaging in open dialogue with the clinic, you can take proactive steps towards managing pain and achieving lasting relief.
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