A painful knee can change how you walk, exercise, golf, hike, or manage everyday life.
Not every meniscus tear needs surgery. The first step is understanding the tear, the rest of the knee, and what you want to get back to doing.
The meniscus is a firm pad of tissue that helps distribute load across the knee. A tear may happen during a twist or injury, or develop gradually as the tissue changes over time.
The MRI finding alone does not decide the treatment. Your symptoms, examination, knee alignment, arthritis, activity goals, and the type and location of the tear all matter.
No. Many tears can be managed without surgery, especially when symptoms are improving and the knee is not truly locking.
For other patients, persistent catching, swelling, limited motion, or pain despite a well-built rehabilitation plan may make surgery worth discussing. Dr. Gelber can explain when a nonsurgical approach is reasonable and when arthroscopy may offer a better path.
Treatment may include activity changes, targeted rehabilitation, strength work, and medication for short-term symptom relief. The goal is to improve how the knee tolerates the activities you care about.
PRP may be considered for certain meniscus tears or associated knee arthritis. Other options depend on what is actually causing the symptoms. Explore regenerative medicine.
A knee can hurt less before it is ready for stairs, hiking, tennis, golf, or workouts.
Rehabilitation and reassessment help determine whether strength, movement, and confidence are returning along with symptom improvement.
As an orthopedic surgeon with regenerative medicine experience, Dr. Jonathan Gelber can look at the whole knee—not just the MRI report.
If rehabilitation or a regenerative option makes sense, he can explain why. If surgery is more likely to help, he will tell you that too.
Related resources: knee pain, osteoarthritis, and alternatives to joint replacement.
Bring your questions, available imaging, and the activities you want to return to. LA Ortho & Wellness serves active adults in Toluca Lake, Studio City, Burbank, North Hollywood, and greater Los Angeles.
Dr. Jonathan Gelber of LA Ortho & Wellness provides comprehensive orthopedics, blending functional and integrative medicine for the LA area.
