The femur (thighbone) and tibia (shinbone) are separated by the menisci shock absorber pads in the knee. There are two menisci on each knee. One is closest to the outside of the leg on the outer (lateral) side, while the other is on the inner (medial) side, nearest to the opposing knee.
The function of the meniscus:
Meniscus cartilage reduces the amount of wear and tear on the surrounding joint cartilage, which is the layer of cartilage that protects the ends of the bones when you are on your feet. A sudden twisting or rotation of the knee, strain from squatting, bending, or lifting large objects, and severe impacts from a tackle or other sports action can all cause injury or damage to the meniscus. Meniscus strains (minor tears), partial(half) or complete tears, and other injuries are also possible.
What is a torn meniscus?
A torn meniscus in a knee can spread out in various ways, much like a crack in ice which compromises the integrity of the surface and damages the cartilage that makes up the meniscus. A part of the meniscus may be separated or torn from the rest of the meniscus. A meniscus tear can occur during sporting activities like running and rapid pivoting. Degenerative meniscus tears, which are more common in older adults, are caused by the meniscus wearing out. Meniscus tears can also result from pre-existing illnesses such as osteoarthritis. Unfortunately, meniscus tears rarely heal themselves because of the poor blood supply found in the meniscus. This is very different than damaging your skin which typically bleeds profusely.
Symptoms of tear:
- Knee pain on one or both sides
- The feeling of the knee locking or catching when moving
- Swelling and knee stiffness
- Hearing or feeling a pop followed by an abrupt onset of pain
- A reduction in knee range of motion
- Knee weakness while exercising
Your knee may continue to hurt and be uncomfortable if your meniscus tear doesn’t heal properly. Additionally, meniscus injuries can accelerate the deterioration of your knee joint, raising your risk of developing osteoarthritis. Depending on the severity of the damage, meniscus injury symptoms can be treated conservatively with rest and ice or more aggressively with surgery.
How to diagnose a meniscus injury:
When your doctor examines your knee, they will search for any indications of swelling. The McMurray or Thessaly tests will be used to measure your range of motion. To evaluate the damage, you might also undergo imaging tests like X-rays and MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging). Knee Arthroscopy is a type of procedure that can give an orthopedic surgeon a more precise diagnosis of your problem. A tiny camera, known as an arthroscope, is inserted into your knee by the surgeon through a tiny incision during surgery.
Non-surgical treatment options:
Physiotherapy is preferred if you have a minor or grade-1 tear. Your physiotherapist might start with the use of modalities like ultrasound therapy to decrease pain and begin by performing range-of-motion exercises, simple exercises like toe and straight leg raises, and more difficult exercises like squats with weight and toe lifts.
Arthroscopic Surgery
Orthopedic surgeons try to maintain as much of the meniscus as possible because it is crucial for your knee mobility and shock absorption. Arthroscopic surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures to treat meniscus tears. In this procedure, a tiny camera is used to visualize the meniscus and the repair can be made by suturing the tear. Depending on the severity of the tear, an outpatient arthroscopy can last between 30-60 minutes.
Partial Meniscectomy Surgery
The excision of injured meniscus tissue is known as partial meniscectomy by using an arthroscopic approach. Following partial meniscectomy surgery, the wound is covered with a bandage for a few days. With a physical rehabilitation program, knee function should fully recover three to six weeks after surgery, although you might need to use crutches or a cane for a week.
Meniscus Transplant Surgery
If you have previously experienced a significant or severe tear that caused the removal of the majority of your meniscus, your doctor might suggest a meniscus transplant. Your orthopedic surgeon will remove the remaining damaged meniscus from the joint and replace it with a donor meniscus of the same size to perform a meniscus transplant. Usually, this is done as an outpatient procedure.
Our goal at the Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute (OSMI) is to provide our patients quality, cutting-edge orthopedic treatments, both surgical and non-surgical. If you have questions or concerns about knee pain, please request an online appointment or contact our office at 817-529-1900.
