Alternatives to Meniscectomy

By Hal Blatman MD on Dec 4, 2017 in Blog, General, Health Tips, News, Treatments

stem cell regenerative therapy

If you’re suffering from a meniscus tear, there are usually two different options when it comes to conventional treatment: surgery (meniscectomy) or physical therapy.

With physical therapy, the primary goal is to strengthen the surrounding muscles, which help takes the strain off the tear.

On the other hand, a meniscectomy is a surgical procedure that is not reversible. A surgeon will remove a portion of your torn meniscus or in some cases they remove the entire meniscus.

The procedure is usually done in an outpatient setting with a recovery period of 1 to 2 months or more. However, the surgery is not without risk. It’s believed that patients who go through a meniscectomy are more prone to developing osteoarthritis of the knee.

PRP Injections for Meniscus Tears

One option that is not only minimally invasive but without many of the serious risks involved in surgery is known as PRP treatment. In this procedure, plasma is drawn from the patient, concentrated, and injected into the tear. Platelet-rich-plasma is known to have numerous beneficial growth factors that can promote a “healing response” in the joint. Because of the location of a meniscus tear, it’s difficult for the body to repair it on its own. But when plasma is injected directly into the injured joint, recovery can be had without surgery.

Meniscus Tears and Stem Cell Treatment

Another potential option for sufferers of meniscus tears is stem cell therapy. In this procedure, a stem cell clinic will draw the patient’s own stem cells and inject them into the injured joint. This is like PRP, but stem cells are much more potent. In some cases, the injection can also include PRP with the stem cells for an even better response.

At Blatman Health and Wellness Center, treatments are usually also combined with other therapies that may include dietary changes, nutritional consultations, herbal supplements, physical exercise, and more. It is often through multiple treatment approaches and not one singular method that patients find the most relief from their conditions.

Hal Blatman MD

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