Signs Your Shoulder Pain Needs Help
Shoulder pain isn’t uncommon, but how do you know when to see your doctor? Here’s what you need to know.
Your joints are places in your body where bones meet, such as your shoulders, your elbows, your hips, and your knees. Whereas your bones are rigid, your joints flex, allowing you to move. Many issues can arise with joints, many of which involve the cartilage, ligaments, and tendons that hold the joint together.
At Crescent City Orthopedics in Metairie, Louisiana, we understand that having a full range of movement is essential for everyone, especially for athletes. Our top-notch team of orthopedic surgeons and sport medicine specialists is dedicated to finding the cause of your condition and using the latest treatment options to get you moving again without pain.
In your knee, four bones meet: the tibia and fibula of your lower leg, the patella (kneecap) and your thigh bone, or femur. Your knees can flex and twist, and the ligaments, cartilage, and tendons in your knee joint keep everything in place.
Your ligaments connect your bones, and your tendons connect your muscles to your bones. Your menisci (plural of meniscus) are made of cartilage that cushions the bones from rubbing against each other.
Sudden movement, especially an awkward twisting motion, can cause your meniscus to tear. This usually happens as a result of a sports injury, but can also happen due to degeneration of the cartilage from aging.
If you feel pain in your knee, you may wonder what is going on and what you should do. Without a physical examination and diagnostic testing, there is no way to be sure what is causing your knee issues.
Some of the symptoms of a torn meniscus are:
It’s important to get it checked out by an orthopedic surgeon or sports medicine specialist to determine the cause.
Your doctor will talk to you about your symptoms, complete a physical examination, and order diagnostic tests before determining the cause of your knee pain. If you have a torn meniscus, your treatment depends on the exact location of the tear and the severity.
A longitudinal tear on the edge of your meniscus may heal on its own, but a tear near the center of your meniscus may require surgery to repair it. We offer computer-assisted surgery for the lowest risks and decreased recovery time. Once the surgery is complete, physical therapy allows you to regain your range of movement and strength.
Although a torn meniscus may put you on the sidelines for a little while, you’ll heal and be able to return to the field soon enough when you’re in the right hands. To learn more about treatment for meniscus tears, call our office to set up an appointment.
