AANA19 Knee Access Pass-Blarney_ Root Tears = Arthritis!-Dr. K Donald Shelbourne, M.D.

Blarney_ Root Tears = Arthritis!-Dr. K Donald Shelbourne, M.D.

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Orthopedic surgeon with 37 years' experience explains that medial meniscus root tears in mid-aged patients, especially women, result from joint space narrowing, which pushes the meniscus out (extrusion) causing tears. Unlike common belief, the tear does not cause the narrowing; it’s the other way around. MRI shows extrusion due to narrowing, making surgical repair ineffective, as the meniscus cannot be pulled back into a narrowed joint. Non-operative care—crutches, cold compression, physical therapy focusing on regaining extension—provides symptomatic relief in over 80% of cases. Surgery and suturing often fail to prevent progression or improve outcomes.

Keywords

medial meniscus root tear

joint space narrowing

meniscus extrusion

non-operative care

physical therapy