Should I have arthroscipic surgery on my knee?

[Winikor]

The MRI of my left knee showed the following results:
1.obliquely oriented tear involving the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus
2.multiloculated ganglion identified posterior to the distal femur above the level of the knee joint.
3. moderate sized joint effusion
4. grade 1 spraiin anterior cruciate ligament

The dr suggested draining the knee for relief but also said that surgery would be another way to go.  Please give me your advice as to what to do.  I am a 60 year old woman in good health and want to be able to go back to doing aerobics like I used to and ride a bike.  I have not been able to do these things b/c of pain and swelling.

Thank you in advance.

[Michael L Gross, MD]

Conventional wisdom is that for an acute meniscal tear, in a young, active individual, the most reliable meathod of treatment is arthroscopic partial menisectomy.  The large majority of meniscus tears do not have the potential for healing on their own, and physical therapy does not promote healing of the meniscus.  I compare a torn meniscus to a pebble in your shoe.  Until the pebble is removed, you are still going to have pain.  Once the torn meniscus (the pebble) is removed, you can feel better. The incidence risk of arthritis after arthroscopic partial menisectomy is quite low. Combine this with the probability that leaving the torn tissue in place has a greater chance of causing arthritic changes in the knee.

[Michael L Gross, MD]

Good Luck!

[Winikor]

Dear Doctor:

Thank you so much for the information and taking the time out to answer my question.  I went to see a second surgeon, who by the way, was the nicest doctor I had ever met in person, it was a wonderful experience to be treated by someone like him, and he asked that I have another MRI b/c the first one was of poor quality.  He said the the new MRI showed that I had a medial and a lateral tare in the meniscus and that arthroscipic surgery would be the way to go.  I feel that I am now in good hands and am going on Tuesday to set up the appointment for the surgery.  He also said that the MRI showed arthritis and that after the surgery I should have synvisc injections on my knees.  So, I am now going to have the "pebble" removed and get my life back.  Thank you.