Torn Meniscus? Eliminate Knee Pain With This Procedure

The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage in the knee joint that plays a crucial role in function and stability. The two meniscii in each knee function as shock absorbers. They are composed of dense fibrocartilage, which is more flexible than bone but firmer than other types of cartilage. Meniscus pads play an important role in walking, running and jumping, and they aid in weight distribution and alignment. The meniscus also helps keep the knee joint lubricated to reduce friction between the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone).

A meniscus root tear is a relatively common knee injury that occurs when the meniscus separates from its attachment point on the tibia bone. This type of tear can be caused by the wear and tear that happens with age, or by trauma or injury, such as a sports injury. People who suffer a tear often feel a “popping” sensation in the back of the knee, followed by pain, instability, and a loss of function. Untreated, a meniscus root tear can lead to osteoarthritis and degeneration in the knee. Fortunately, there is a minimally invasive procedure available to fix the issue.

Atlantic Orthopaedics’ surgeon Dr. Welch specializes in meniscus root repair, having performed more than 100 successful procedures to restore function, eliminate pain, and prevent further damage. In this surgery, he makes three small incisions, prepares the torn end of the meniscus for repair, then securely reattaches the meniscus to the root attachment site on the tibia bone through a small tunnel in the tibia.

Following surgery, Dr. Welch places the patient’s knee in a brace to protect the repaired meniscus and allow it to heal. Physical therapy is an important part of the recovery process. Recovery from meniscus root repair takes time and it’s important to follow your surgeon’s instructions regarding weight-bearing and the use of crutches. It may take three months for the knee to fully heal, but the vast majority of patients have excellent outcomes and experience a return to normal knee function.

Below, Dr. Welch answers some questions about Meniscus Root Repair:

Q. In your own words, how does this procedure benefit your patients suffering from knee pain?

A. A meniscus root tear is a specific type of meniscus tear that is more serious than a typical meniscus tear. If the root tears, the meniscus becomes loose and unstable. Surgery involves repairing the meniscus back to the tibia bone. This procedure benefits patients because it restores the function of the meniscus, eliminates pain, and helps restore patient confidence in his/her knee.

Q. Who is a good candidate for a Meniscus Root Repair?

A. A proper candidate for meniscus root repair is a patient who sustains a root tear who does not have significant arthritis in the knee.

Q. Where do you perform Meniscus Root Repairs ?

A. I perform meniscus root repairs at New England Center for Orthopedic Surgery (NECOS) in Portsmouth, NH and at York Hospital in York, ME.

Q. Do you have a recent patient success story you can share?

A. I have dozens of patient success stories. Meniscus root repairs are very reliable; as long as the meniscus heals to the tibia, patients usually return to normal function with no issues. Previous studies have revealed success rates > 90%.

Q. Anything else you’d like patients to know about this procedure?

A. I have many patients (>100) who have had tremendous success after a meniscus root repair. Unfortunately, one issue with this procedure is that each patient must use crutches or a walker for the first 5-6 weeks after surgery. This is inconvenient, but necessary, so that the meniscus has time to heal.

If you’re suffering from knee pain and loss of mobility from a meniscus root tear, you may be a good candidate for this minimally invasive procedure. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Welch for an evaluation: https://www.atlanticorthopaedics.org/providers/tyler-welch-md/

Atlantic Orthopaedics’ Dr. Tyler Welch Introduces State-of-the-Art Operating Table “The Guardian” at York Hospital

Dr. Tyler Welch was accepted into the International Society for Hip Arthroscopy, and Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine will be introducing the hip arthroscopy procedure at York Hospital with a state-of-the-art operating table called the Guardian.

The Pivot Guardian System is a device produced by one of the nation’s lead medical suppliers, Stryker. The Guardian is specifically designed to mitigate complications, as it limits the amount of force applied to a patient’s hip during surgery. The Guardian also enables the surgeon to obtain better visualization of the hip during surgery compared to other operating tables.

The system’s boots enhance patient comfort and safety during surgery, and the surgeon can make precise range of motion adjustments during hip surgery with the Guardian.

The demand for hip arthroscopy is increasing every year, and surgeons in the US are projected to perform 271,000 hip arthroscopy procedures by the year 2021. This will be a compounded annual growth rate of 18.5%, compared to a 3.9% projected growth in shoulder arthroscopy and 1.6% projected growth in knee arthroscopy by the same year.

Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine is a leading practice on the Seacoast for orthopaedics and sports medicine. They have offices in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and York, Maine and physicians have full medical staff privileges at both Portsmouth Regional Hospital and York Hospital.

Dr. Welch Publishes Article in Orthopaedic Journal

Portsmouth, NH – Dr. Tyler Welch, a physician at Atlantic Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, recently published an article in the Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics. It is titled The Effect of a Dynamic PCL Brace on Patellofemoral Compartment Pressures in PCL-and PCL/PLC-Deficient Knees.

The study examines the PCL, or posterior cruciate ligament, located in the back of the knee. One of four major ligaments of the knee, it connects the femur (thighbone) to the tibia (shinbone). In a controlled laboratory study, Dr. Welch and five colleagues explored a deficiency of the PCL leading to arthritis in the patellofemoral knee joint, and evaluated the hypothesis that dynamic bracing reduces pressure in the knee joint in PCL-deficient knees. Coauthors of the study were Thomas Keller, Ruben Maldonado, Melodie Metzger, Karen Mohr and Ronald Kvitne.

The Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics is an international journal that aims to bridge the gap between orthopaedic basic science and clinical medicine, and publishes works that examine the field of experimental orthopaedics. Each published article goes through peer review and is upheld to the high quality standards of the Journal.

Dr. Welch is a physician at Atlantic Orthopaedics who specializes in cartilage restoration, sports medicine, joint replacement, and arthroscopic surgery of the hip, knee and shoulder. He is the lead doctor of the clinic’s Cartilage Center, a place for patients experiencing joint pain and early arthritis. Dr. Welch is affiliated with the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and the Arthroscopy Association of North America.

Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine is a group of Board-Certified physicians who utilize the latest concepts in orthopaedics and sports medicine, coupled with preventive and surgical techniques. For more information, visit www.atlanticorthopaedics.org.

Dr. Welch To Present Lecture on Cartilage Restoration Advances

Dr. Tyler Welch of Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine is scheduled to present a lecture on Thursday, January 19^th titled Recent Advances in the Treatment of Cartilage Injuries and Early Arthritis: The Future is Here. Open to the general public, the lecture will take place from 6:30-8PM at the Portsmouth Regional Hospital – Hospital Classroom, located on Borthwick Avenue.

Topics of discussion will include: the role of cartilage in joint function, common symptoms in patients with cartilage injuries, the history of cartilage surgery, and the ways in which treatment options have evolved over the last ten to fifteen years in orthopedic medicine. Dr. Welch will also share various cartilage treatment techniques that he currently practices at the Cartilage Center at Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, as well as how location, size, and extent of a cartilage injury’s damage can dictate the appropriate treatment options for a patient.

Dr. Welch is a Board-Certified physician at Atlantic Orthopaedics who specializes in cartilage restoration, sports medicine, joint replacement, and arthroscopic surgery of the hip, knee and shoulder. He is the lead doctor of the clinic’s new Cartilage Center, a place for patients experiencing joint pain and early arthritis. Using cutting-edge treatments in cartilage restoration, Dr. Welch and his team are able to help patients resolve hip, elbow, knee, shoulder and other joint pain, while avoiding more costly and invasive replacement procedures down the road.

His lecture at Portsmouth Regional Hospital is free and open to the general public. To register, please visit portsmouthregionalhospital.com and find the event under “Classes and Events”.

Tyler Paton Welch, MD Joins Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine

Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine of Portsmouth is pleased to welcome its newest surgeon and health care provider, Dr. Tyler Paton Welch.

Dr. Welch specializes in a wide range of orthopaedic disciplines, including cartilage restoration, arthroscopic surgery of the hip, knee, shoulder and elbow, and joint replacement. By introducing hip arthroscopy to the Seacoast and utilizing the latest techniques in ligament and tendon repair of the knee and shoulder, Dr. Welch brings a unique skill set to Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine.

Dr. Welch received his BA from Colgate University in New York and his MD from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Boston University and sports fellowship at Kerlan Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles, where he was the assistant team physician for the LA Lakers, LA Dodgers, LA Kings, and USC football. His work has been published in multiple journals, including the Journal of Orthopaedic Research. Dr. Welch has also received several grants, including a research grant from the Orthopedic Research & Education Foundation (OREF) and was awarded a Resident Research Award in Orthopaedic Surgery in 2013.

Outside of the office, Dr. Welch enjoys skiing, golf, traveling, and all that the seacoast has to offer.