The menisci are C-shaped fibrocartilages that act as a shock absorber between the thigh bone(femur) and shin bone (tibia). Horizontal tears are the most common meniscal tear pattern and separate the meniscus into upper and lower parts. Surgery on the meniscus is referred to as a menisectomy as have been associated with increasing unwanted muscle activity and accelerating the degenerative process.
Non surgical treatments options for meniscus tears at the Centeno-Schultz Clinic focus on repairing the damages tissue utilizing autologous stem cells. The stem cells are available through a bone marrow derived therapy, Regenexx SD, an adipose derived therapy, Regenexx AD and a blood derived therapy, Regenexx SCP alone or in combination. All regenerative therapies are accurately placed through MSK ultrasound or x-ray guidance.
A horizontal tear in a knee meniscus MRI is shown below:
