Torn Meniscus Doesn’t Slow Down New Jersey Ice Performer

For Immediate Release

With the Vancouver Olympics Two Years Away, a Torn Meniscus Doesn’t Slow Down this New Jersey Ice Performer

New Jersey professional ice dancer Chris Reed hasn’t let a torn meniscus derail his dreams of reaching the Vancouver Olympics in 2010. He is part of an ice performance team dedicated to sharing their passion and commitment with audiences all over the world. Still in high school, he spends numerous hours daily practicing to master many complex routines.

In April, 2007, his right knee experienced a serious injury. I was doing a maneuver with my coach that involved going really low on my right leg, with my left extended in the air, Reed explained. Half way through, I tore my meniscus. Initially not feeling discomfort, by the next day he was unable to bend his leg ninety degrees.

Meniscus tears are a common injury to the knee, often due to traumatic injury (athletes) and also degenerative processes (older patients). It most commonly occurs when the knee joint is bent and the knee is twisted. It is not uncommon to occur in tandem with injuries sustained to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the medial collateral ligament (MCL).

An examination by Kevin Plancher, M.D. a renowned orthopaedic surgeon specialist and head of Plancher Orthopaedics with offices in New York City and Greenwich, Connecticut confirmed the tear and the need for surgery. One of my skating coaches highly recommended him, Reed explained.

Patients who tear their meniscus routinely experience pain and swelling, said Kevin Plancher M.D. The more common symptoms also include tenderness when the meniscus is pressed, popping or clicking within the knee, or in the case of Chris Reed, limited motion of the knee joint.

Dr. Plancher who is also an attending physician for the United States Ski and Snowboarding Association performed the arthroscopic meniscus repair. Chris Reed began his rehabilitation immediately. Working with his strengthening and conditioning coaches and personal trainers, Reed was back on his ice training and performing; never looking back. Dr. Plancher’s individualized program and attention led to my quick recovery, said Reed.

Following the surgery, the post-recovery and physical therapy went very well. Reed returned to the ice, only to injure a different part of the meniscus three months later. That was quite a shock for me, Reed said. Fortunately, Dr. Plancher removed the torn part of the meniscus and left the ligament to heal itself.

Three weeks later, Reed’s knee had healed, while not 100%, enough that he could compete successfully in his first grandprix.

Torn Meniscus Doesn’t Slow Down New Jersey Ice Performer

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