Meniscus Tear
An Overview
Meniscus tear is a knee injury which occurs due to sudden forceful bending or twisting of the knee joint. This is a common sports injury, especially in contact sports such as football or hockey. The knees are the largest joints in the body. Meniscus is the C-shaped disc that cushions and protects the knee. In each knee, there is a pair of menisci on either side which keeps the knee steady through equal weight balancing. An injury to the meniscus can keep your knee from proper functioning.
Symptoms and Classification A person with this type of knee injury may experience:
Stiffness and swelling
Knee pain
Clicking, catching or locking of knee
Popping
Giving away
However, the symptoms may vary depending on the degree of your injury. If you have just a minor injury, your pain may not be that severe. You may experience slight swelling, which resolves within weeks. For moderate tears, your swelling may be more severe, and you may experience pain on the sides or center of your knees. This would result in stiffness, and it may be difficult for you to bend your knees even though you can manage to walk. You may also experience sharp pain when you bend or twist your knees. Though these symptoms may go away within weeks, they may return if not treated at the right time. In traumatic cases, pieces of torn meniscus drift into the joint space, which causes the knees to lock, pop or hang. You may be unable to move the knee immediately after the injury. The knee may swell, feel unstable and give way without any indication. CALL US! (718) 769-2521
Among the elderly, this condition may be degenerative, which signifies meniscus tear developed from wear and tear of the knee tissue.
Treatment and Diagnosis Treatment and healing of meniscus tear depends on various factors including age, activity level, extent of injury, pattern of tear and healing potential of the patient. An orthopedic specialist is recommended to treat meniscus tear. The treatment process includes proper observation, comprehensive physical exam, diagnosis and formulation of a suitable treatment plan. Your physician or therapist may ask more details about your condition, and past injuries so as to assess if your knee pain is indeed due to a torn meniscus or some other reason. Certain tests may also be conducted to diagnose the injury. X-rays or MRI taken helps to understand the severity of your condition and the exact location of tear. Your doctor may recommend rest, exercises, and physical therapy for the proper functioning of your knee joint. Some other non-surgical treatment methods used to treat this condition are NSAIDs (Non- Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs), rehabilitation, cold compression to reduce swelling, and orthotics. Minor injuries usually get healed through these non-invasive treatment methods, while for severe cases of meniscus tear, surgery may help.
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