Alternative to Meniscus Surgery
A knee meniscus tear is one of the most common causes of knee pain. The meniscus is basically the shock absorber within the knee. You can tear either the medial (inside) or lateral (outside) meniscus. The inside meniscus is the more commonly injured side. When someone says they have torn cartilage in the knee, they’re typically referring to a torn meniscus.
The two treatments for a meniscus tear that are most commonly prescribed are surgery or physical therapy. Most noteworthy, if you opt for surgery, you likely will require physical therapy afterward. There is no guarantee that either option alone will eliminate your pain or regain the function in your knee.
However, there is a third choice, Regenexx, which can be used alone or in conjunction with surgery and/or physical therapy to help with the healing process of a torn meniscus.
Recent studies have shown that some of the most popular arthroscopic surgeries, including meniscus surgery, have no benefit at all. Most noteworthy regarding meniscus surgery is that it involves the removal of a portion, if not all of the valuable meniscus tissue. This can accelerate the cascade of degeneration that leads to osteoarthritis. In addition, all surgeries require months of recovery and frequently painful rehabilitation to regain strength and function.
Regenexx regenerative orthobiologic treatments are intended to help you avoid the side effects of surgery and prolong the healthy cushioning environment that the meniscus provides for your knees.
Three Steps From First Call to a Treatment Plan You Can Act On
Step 1 — Check Your Eligibility
Send us your imaging and tell us what is going on. We review your radiology at no cost and tell you honestly whether an image-guided, non-surgical approach is worth exploring for your condition.
Step 2 — Schedule Your Consultation
A full evaluation with advanced ultrasound and MRI review. Regenexx consultations average a full hour: complete history, hands-on examination, imaging review and a real diagnosis explained in plain language.
Step 3 — Start Your Healing Plan
If you are a candidate, your physician builds a personalized plan around your diagnosis: Regenexx bone marrow concentrate or platelet procedures, supported by therapies such as prolotherapy and MLS laser, with follow-up at six to eight weeks.
The treatments behind these procedures
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01
Regenexx procedures — bone marrow concentrate and advanced platelet procedures, placed under image guidance.
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02
Platelet Rich Plasma — concentrated platelets from your own blood, for tendon and ligament damage and mild arthritis.
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03
Prolotherapy — for ligament laxity and joint instability.
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04
MLS Laser Therapy — non-invasive pain and inflammation control, often alongside the above.
Which one fits your case is decided at the evaluation, from your imaging and the tissue involved — not from a web page.
Find out whether we can treat your alternative to meniscus surgery
Send your imaging ahead
If you already have an MRI or X-ray, upload it before your visit and Dr. Derrington will review it in advance.
Two offices
Carlsbad and Laguna Hills, serving San Diego and Orange County.
Or call us directly at (760) 721-4000 - Carlsbad Office or (760) 721-4000 - Laguna Hills Office
Ready to Find Out If a Non-Surgical Approach Could Work for You?
Call us to schedule an in-office or telehealth appointment, or fill out the form and our team will reach out. We will ask about your condition, explain which options may apply, and tell you honestly whether an evaluation makes sense.
If we are not the right fit for your condition, we will tell you — and try to point you in the right direction.
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