A meniscus tear typically occur from either trauma or injury or degeneration due to age.

• Trauma is often associated with sporting injuries where manoeuvres that require sudden stops or sudden direction changes are executed. Examples of such movements include pivoting or sidestepping in sports such as basketball, soccer or rugby. Even kneeling, deep squatting or lifting heavy objects can sometimes cause a meniscus tear
• In older adults, degenerative changes of the bone and cartilage in the knee can result in a torn meniscus with little to no trauma

Non-Surgical Treatments For Meniscus Tears in Singapore

Once diagnosed with a meniscus tear, the first phase of treatment is often conservative and non-surgical. In most cases, patients see significant improvements with non-surgical treatment options.

Anti-Inflammatory Medications

Since a torn meniscus can be painful, the first line of treatment is to take anti-inflammatory oral medications and pain relievers to help ease your discomfort as you recover.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is the treatment of injury and disease using non-invasive techniques. It focuses on improving your ability to move and function without pain, hence enhancing your quality of life.

Exercises performed during physiotherapy sessions aid in the strengthening of your knee muscles. The goal of physiotherapy is to increase the strength, endurance, and mobility of your knee. It also helps to reduce the likelihood of future injuries.

Corticosteroid Injections

Corticosteroid injections are anti-inflammatory medications that will be injected directly into your knee to reduce inflammation. However, repeated injections are discouraged as they may cause further damage to the shoulder.

Surgical Options for Meniscus Tears in Singapore

If your symptoms do not improve with physiotherapy and other conservative methods, you may need to turn to surgical options to treat your frozen shoulder to restore the function of your knee.

Dr. Ong will assess your symptoms in detail before recommending the right surgical option for your specific injury.

What are the surgical options for meniscus tears?

There are 2 surgical options to choose from, depending on the severity of your meniscus tear:

• Arthroscopic Meniscus Repair Surgery – suturing torn edges back into place and allowing the meniscus to heal on its own
• Partial Meniscectomy – part of the meniscus is removed and the healthy tissue is left intact

Which surgery do I need?

The surgery you require will depend on your meniscus tear.

The meniscus is a circular piece of cartilage. The blood that supplies nutrients to the meniscus comes from the outer rim.

To undergo Arthroscopic Meniscus Repair Surgery, your meniscus tear must be located near the outer rim so that it can receive a good blood supply in order to heal properly.

However, if your tear is in the central part of the meniscus cartilage, it cannot heal properly due to poor blood supply. Hence, in this case, you will have to undergo a Partial Meniscectomy.

How are the meniscus surgeries performed?

During the surgery, you will be under general anaesthesia. The surgery is typically done using a minimally invasive approach where an arthroscope (tube-like video camera) and other surgical tools are inserted via small incisions in the knee joint space. Your damaged meniscus will either be repaired by suturing the torn edges or be removed.

Are there any risks and complications of meniscus tear surgeries?

The risks and complications associated with meniscus repair surgeries are low. However, as with all surgeries, there are some potential risks. These include:

• Infection
• Bleeding and blood clots
• Persistent knee pain
• Knee pain or stiffness

Dr. Ong will discuss the risks associated with the surgery with you thoroughly and address any concerns you may have before going forward.

What Can I Expect At My First Visit With Dr. Ong?

At your first appointment with Dr. Ong, he will evaluate your medical history and the pain you are experiencing.

Depending on the symptoms you have, he will likely perform diagnostic imaging tests (e.g. X-Rays or MRI scans) to assess your condition accurately. X-rays and CT scans are useful to rule out bone problems, whilst an MRI scan is excellent for looking at soft tissue (e.g. tendons, ligaments, and cartilage) problems.

After assessing your condition, Dr. Ong will recommend a personalized treatment plan that is specific to your needs. This may include surgical or non-surgical treatment options.

Must I Undergo Surgery For My Meniscus Tear?

Dr. Ong will only recommend surgical options when all other conventional non-surgical interventions have failed or will not be effective for your condition.

During your consultation, Dr. Ong will first discuss non-surgical treatments with you. If your symptoms do not improve or even worsen during the course of the treatment, Dr. Ong will review the treatment protocol and advise surgery accordingly.

Is It Possible To Prevent A Meniscus Tear?

There are some simple measures you can incorporate into your daily life to reduce the risk of a meniscus tear. You should:

• Do targeted strength training for your knee
• Strengthen lower limb muscles (e.g. quadriceps) and hamstring muscles
• Warm-up and stretch before any exercise
• Practice proper jumping and landing techniques

Can I Claim My Treatments Through My Medisave Account? (For Singaporeans and PR)

Yes, you can. Our Clinic is an accredited day surgery clinic by the Ministry of Health. Singaporeans and Permanent Residents may use their Medisave for consultations, eligible orthopaedic procedures, and medications at our clinic.

The exact amount would depend on the complexity of the procedure. If you have any enquiries, feel free to speak to our friendly clinic staff about using your Medisave account.