Which Doctor To Consult For Meniscus Tear?

How to Find the Best Doctor for Meniscus Tear Treatment?

Normally, meniscus tears can be easily managed medically. However, if they are not managed properly in time, they can result in irreversible damage to the knee joint. In some cases, the patient can even get chronic knee disorders such as knee osteoarthritis, knee joint instability, severe pain, etc., along with permanent disability.

To prevent such complications, you should avail treatment from an expert orthopedist immediately. Here are a few tips you should follow while selecting a doctor for the treatment of your meniscus tear injury:

• Check Your Doctor’s Medical Qualifications

Since meniscus tears almost always result from trauma, most patients visit a doctor as soon as they happen. However, just visiting a doctor is not enough. If you have just visited a general practitioner or family doctor, then you need to visit an orthopedic doctor immediately.

Only an orthopedist will be able to determine correctly whether you need conservative treatment or surgery. Additionally, make sure that your doctor is qualified to treat your meniscus tear completely. If you don’t know an experienced orthopedist, then you can ask for a referral from your current doctor.

• Check Their Surgical Credentials

For severe meniscus injuries, surgery is the only appropriate treatment option. However, there are different types of meniscus tear surgeries. If you need surgery, you should check your orthopedist’s surgical credentials.

Although most orthopedic surgeons are trained in the traditional approach to orthopedic surgeries, they need special training and certification to perform arthroscopic meniscus tear surgery. Compared to traditional surgery, arthroscopic surgery provides quicker recovery.

• Check Out the Orthopedic Clinic/Hospital They Are Associated With

A state-of-the-art hospital or clinic infrastructure is essential to ensure the best meniscus tear treatment. Make sure your orthopedic surgeon is associated with a quality hospital or clinic with a well-furnished orthopedic wing. You should also ensure that the hospital has an ICU department where the patient can be admitted in case of emergencies.

• Check Out Online Patient Testimonials

Nowadays, there are plenty of websites where you can check a doctor’s ratings and reviews from their previous patients. Through these reviews, you can evaluate their experience and expertise with the treatment you need. You can also judge their demeanor while handling patients through these reviews.

• Make Sure They Accept Insurance

Most insurance policies cover surgical treatment of meniscus tears to some extent. If you have a health insurance policy, it can be very helpful in relieving the financial burden of the treatment. Make sure your orthopedic surgeon and the hospital they are associated with accept your health insurance for meniscus tear surgery.

• Clear All Your Doubts Before Getting The Treatment

Whether you are getting conservative or surgical meniscus tear treatment,  you should clear all doubts before starting the treatment. Some questions you can ask your orthopedic surgeon regarding meniscus tear treatment are:

• How long will it take for me to recover fully?
• Which treatment is best for me?
• How long will I have to undergo physiotherapy?
• Can my meniscus get torn again?
• Can my tear heal on its own?
• What are the signs of my injury getting worse instead of better?
• What should I do to prevent arthritis in my injured knee?
• Which medicines will I need? How long will I need to take them? etc.

Make sure you consider all these factors while selecting an appropriate orthopedic doctor for your treatment. With the right surgeon, even a long and painful tear will be treated easily without many difficulties.