Atlanta Bone and Joint Specialists
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    • Maurice Jové, M.D.
    • Nathan Jové, M.D.
    • Jeff Traub, M.D.
    • Brandon Tolman, D.O.
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      • Omid Midanaky, PA-C
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        • Total Hip Replacement
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        • How to Prepare and What to Expect Knee Surgery
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        • Total Shoulder Replacement
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        • Meniscus Tears
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        • MACI Cartilage Repair
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        • Patella (Kneecap) Dislocation
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        • Ankle Sprains and Instability
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        • Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
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      • Stem Cell Therapy
      • Cartilage Restoration
      • PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Injections
      • Hyaluronic Gel Injections - Atlanta Bone and Joint Specialists
    • EMG
    • Hip Fracture Center
    • Hand Surgery >
      • Carpal Tunnel Sydnrome
      • Cubittal Tunnel Syndrome
      • Trigger Finger
    • Fracture (Broken Bone) Center >
      • Collarbone (Clavicle) Fracture
      • Distal Radius Fracture
      • Ankle Fractures
      • Jones Fractures
      • Knee Cap (Patella) Fractures
    • Blood Clots After Orthopedic Surgery
    • Learning Center
    • Home Therapy
    • Video
    • Orthopedic Survey Center >
      • Outpatient Total Joint Replacement Survey
      • Painful Knee Replacement Survey
      • Painful Hip Replacement Survey
      • Rotator Cuff Surgery Survey
      • Meniscus Tear Survey
      • Partial Knee Replacement Survey
    • FAQ
    • Blog
  • Español
  • Online Scheduling
  • Home
  • Our Doctors
    • Maurice Jové, M.D.
    • Nathan Jové, M.D.
    • Jeff Traub, M.D.
    • Brandon Tolman, D.O.
    • Physician Assistants >
      • Omid Midanaky, PA-C
      • Aidan O'Connor, MPH, PA-C
      • Elissa Ricker, PA-C
  • Locations
  • Appointments
    • Online Scheduling
    • Forms
    • Referrals
    • Independent Medical Examination
    • Second Opinion
    • Telemedince and E-Visits >
      • E-Visit Scheduler
    • Saturday Clinic
    • What To Expect
    • Medical Tourism
  • Our Office
    • About Us
    • Social Media >
      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • LinkedIN
      • Twitter
      • YouTube
      • Nathan Jove Social Media >
        • @theorthopedicsurgeon on Instagram
        • @theorthopedicsurgeon on Youtube
    • Orthopedic Expert Witness
    • Conditions Treated
    • Payments
    • Bracing
    • Office Staff >
      • Office Manager >
        • Brian Pallone
      • Front Desk & Checkout >
        • Decatur
        • Loganville >
          • Meagan
        • Snellville >
          • Cheryl
      • Billing & Collections >
        • Maurice Jové, M.D. >
          • Buffie
        • Nathan Jové, M.D. >
          • Mayra
          • Makenzie
        • Jeff Traub, M.D. >
          • Jennifer
          • Liz
      • Scheduling >
        • Jeff Traub, M.D. >
          • Andrea
        • Maurice Jové, M.D. >
          • Rachael
        • Nathan Jové, M.D. >
          • Lindsay
        • Brian Vanderhoof, D.O. >
          • Molly V
      • Radiology >
        • David
        • Rebecca
        • Carla
        • Melissa
      • Medical Records >
        • Team
    • Insurance
    • MRI
    • Medical Records >
      • Decatur
      • Loganville
      • Snellville
    • Prescription Refill Request >
      • Decatur
      • Loganville
    • Reviews
    • Affiliate Hospital Resources >
      • Emory Decatur Hospital
      • Atlanta Outpatient Surgery Center
    • Marketing Internship
    • Job Opportunities
  • Patient Education
    • Coronavirus Update Page
    • What is an Orthopedic Doctor
    • Arthritis & AVN Center >
      • Arthritis >
        • Arthritis 101
        • Hip Arthritis
        • Knee Arthritis
        • Shoulder Arthritis
        • Ankle Arthritis
      • Avascular Necrosis >
        • Avascular Necrosis 101
        • Hip AVN
        • Knee AVN
        • Shoulder AVN
        • Ankle (Talus) AVN
        • Kohler's Disease- Navicular AVN
    • Joint Replacement Center >
      • Hip >
        • Anterior Hip Replacement
        • Total Hip Replacement
      • Knee >
        • Total Knee Replacement
        • Knee Replacement Surgery Recovery
        • Anterior Reference Knee Replacement
        • Partial Knee Replacement
        • Patellofemoral Replacement
        • Tourniquet-less Knee Replacement
        • How to Prepare and What to Expect Knee Surgery
      • Shoulder >
        • Total Shoulder Replacement
        • Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement
      • Ankle >
        • Total Ankle Replacement
      • Outpatient Joint Replacement Center
      • Metal Sensitivity and Nickel Allergy
      • Revision Surgery >
        • Revision Knee Replacement
        • Revision Hip Replacement Surgery
        • Metal on Metal Hip Problems
      • Infections >
        • Hip and Knee Replacement Infections
    • Sports Medicine Program >
      • Arthroscopic Surgery
      • Cartilage Repair
      • Shoulder >
        • Rotator Cuff Tears
        • SLAP Tears
        • Labral Tears
      • Knee >
        • Meniscus Tears
        • ACL Tears
        • MACI Cartilage Repair
        • Patella (Kneecap) Instability
        • Patella (Kneecap) Dislocation
      • Foot and Ankle >
        • Ankle Sprains and Instability
        • Achilles Tendon Tears
      • Elbow >
        • Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
        • Biceps Tears
      • Concussions
    • Regenerative Medicine >
      • Stem Cell Therapy
      • Cartilage Restoration
      • PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Injections
      • Hyaluronic Gel Injections - Atlanta Bone and Joint Specialists
    • EMG
    • Hip Fracture Center
    • Hand Surgery >
      • Carpal Tunnel Sydnrome
      • Cubittal Tunnel Syndrome
      • Trigger Finger
    • Fracture (Broken Bone) Center >
      • Collarbone (Clavicle) Fracture
      • Distal Radius Fracture
      • Ankle Fractures
      • Jones Fractures
      • Knee Cap (Patella) Fractures
    • Blood Clots After Orthopedic Surgery
    • Learning Center
    • Home Therapy
    • Video
    • Orthopedic Survey Center >
      • Outpatient Total Joint Replacement Survey
      • Painful Knee Replacement Survey
      • Painful Hip Replacement Survey
      • Rotator Cuff Surgery Survey
      • Meniscus Tear Survey
      • Partial Knee Replacement Survey
    • FAQ
    • Blog
  • Español
  • Online Scheduling

Meniscus Tear Center

Getting rid of the catching and locking to get you back to normal life!

About Meniscus Tears

Meniscus tears are among the most common knee injuries.  The meniscus functions as a shock absorber between the two bones in the knee  The meniscus helps dissipate pressure to protect the cartilage vital for painless knee function.  Meniscus tears occur in many ways, shapes and forms.  They usually are caused by a pivot injury in the knee.  The knee swells immediately and when you walk you may hear popping or you may feel catching and locking within the knee joint.  An understanding of a few terms is important.
Meniscus Repair- when the surgeon uses stitches to put the torn meniscus back together
Menisectomy- when the surgeon removes part of the torn meniscus to make the joint move smoothly
Cartilage- the meniscus is a form of cartilage, but it is not articular cartilage.  In fact the meniscus acts to protect the articular cartilage.  Many people refer to meniscus tears as cartilage tears.

Picture
A patient with a possible meniscus tear after feeling a catching like episode.

When do we fix meniscus tears?

In most patients under the age of 30, meniscus tears are usually repaired using stitches if possible.  In patients over 35, it is extremely unlikely that the meniscus will be repaired unless an ACL tear occurs at the same time.  In patients over 50, partial menisectomy is done after cortisone and physical therapy have failed.  Some meniscus tears can't be repaired while others can.  Have your surgeon discuss the tear pattern with you so you have a better understanding of which procedure would be best for you.
Picture
Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose tore his meniscus and had it repaired once and then re-tore and they then had to remove the torn meniscus

What does a meniscus tear look like?

The meniscus, when seen from above looks like a C shaped structures.  The meniscus can tear in any pattern.  Below you can see the different tear patterns. 
Picture
A view of the medial and lateral meniscus from above. Notice how both menisci are C-shaped.
Picture
Although this shows meniscus tear patterns, there are still more variants.

The Locked Knee- Bucket Handle Meniscus Tears

One meniscus tear variant is called the bucket handle tear.  This is a tear pattern that causes the knee to lock and not bend. It is considered a surgical urgency as it limits motion.  Surgical intervention is imperative to restore motion and stability.  Watch the video to see more about the infamous bucket handle meniscus tear that causes a locked knee.

Meniscus Repair Video


Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation after meniscus surgery varies.  If part of a torn meniscus is removed (menisectomy), physical therapy with no restrictions is initiated within 3-4 days of surgery.   If the meniscus is repaired, usually, the patient must wear a special brace that keeps the knee straight but allows early weight bearing (walking).  However, there are restrictions on bending the knee, meaning that unless in therapy or not putting weight on the leg, will we allow the knee to bend.
General meniscus repair protocols involve avoiding bending the knee past 90 degrees for 2 months, walking with the leg in extension (fully straight), and a return to sport at 4-6 months depending on the tear pattern and repair.

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​Call to Schedule Your Appointment Today
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Office Hours

Mon-Fri: 9AM-5PM  


Telephone

Decatur                             404.296.5005
Loganville                         770.564.3393
Snellville                           770.985.9330

High School Football Season Added Coverage Hours

Saturdays During High School Football Season
Injury Clinic is for INJURED PLAYERS ONLY.
Snellville
ONLY.
9AM-10AM

MEDIA ROOM