What is a torn meniscus?

A meniscus tear is a tear in the tough cartilage that forms on the inside of your knee. Two pieces of cartilage are present in each of your knees. On this cartilage sits the meniscus. Wedged in by the springy cartilage, these protection pieces cushion your bones and knee joints-otherwise known as shock absorbers for your knee. It may rip if your knee twists or rotates violently.

As you age, the cartilage in your knees breaks down and becomes weaker. Thinner cartilage is more prone to tearing. Secondly, a tear may be caused by arthritis, which causes a breakage of cartilage in the joints. In sports athletes, it is also widespread in kids and teenagers.

Types of meniscus tears

Each of your knee joints has two meniscus:

• Medial meniscus: A meniscus tear affects the cartilage on the inner aspect of your knee.
• Lateral meniscus: A meniscus tear affects the cartilage on the outer aspect of your knee.

How can I determine that I have torn my meniscus?

Those who tear a meniscus often note that they felt something pop in their knees at the time of the injury. Other symptoms of a meniscus tear include:

• Having the sensation that your knee is going to give way under you.
• A painful knee or stiffness of the knee or swelling of the knee.
• You cannot bend your knee or straighten your leg fully.

Can a patient with a torn meniscus walk?

Initially, you'll be able to put weight on your injured leg. But your knee will start swelling, becoming increasingly painful over the next few days.

What causes meniscal tears?

Acute meniscus tears result from a rapid movement in which your knee twists under while your foot remains anchored to the ground. Tears often occur as a result of sports. People whose cartilage degenerates (from age or arthritis) might tear a meniscus from a movement as innocuous as stepping onto an uneven surface. Sometimes, degeneration from arthritis causes a tear without injuring the knee.

Who may tear a meniscus?

The people who are the most likely to tear a meniscus play sports that involve sudden, twisting movements, such as tennis, soccer, basketball, or football. Any contact sport also increases the risk of a torn meniscus. Getting hit or tackled can cause you to twist your knee and pull the cartilage. However, the wear down of the cartilage happens over time, unrelated to activity level.

What complications does the condition entail?

If your meniscus tear does not heal appropriately, you may have pain and discomfort in your knee. An injury on the meniscus can also hasten up the wear-and-tear process of your knee joint, which may raise your risk of developing osteoarthritis.

How is a meniscus tear diagnosed?

The physician would observe your knee for swelling or signs of other distress during your appointment with your doctor. The physician will also check your range of motion with McMurray or Thessaly tests. Different diagnostic methods involve imaging tests, such as X-rays or an MRI of the affected area.

They might forward you to the consulting orthopedist when he wants a closer look and an accurate diagnosis of your injury. The surgeon can get a good view inside from the minute camera by inserting a small cut-incision arthroscope into your knee during the procedure.

What is the best treatment for a torn meniscus?

The best treatment for a torn meniscus depends on the severity and where your meniscus tear is located. It may be able to heal on its own without surgery. Your physician can prescribe a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (such as ibuprofen or aspirin) to help you reduce the pain and swelling. You should also use the RICE method the first days after your injury. RICE is an acronym that stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation:

• Rest: Do your best to keep weight off your injured knee.
• Ice: Wrap an ice pack to your knee for around 20 minutes, several times daily.
• Compression: Use a compression bandage around your knee to compress swelling.
• Elevation: You can rest with your leg higher than your heart to reduce swelling.

Your doctor would also encourage you to undergo a physical therapy session to help strengthen your knee and also regain your mobility.

Does the injured man need a surgery of the tore meniscus?

Tears of the meniscus are serious and can only be treated with surgery when severe, they cannot heal on their own. Your doctor will advise you to get the meniscus repaired if the injury does not respond to the use of RICE, NSAIDs, and physical therapy. It is a minimally invasive surgery that requires minimal time off. It is one of the most common orthopedic surgeries in the United States.

Surgery can repair a torn meniscus quite successfully. If the tear is too big to fix, your surgeon might want to remove all or some of the meniscus. Once you recover completely, you are likely to prevent further knee problems.

Can a meniscus tear be prevented?

It may not be possible to prevent an injury by accident. However, if you do the following, you could reduce the probability of a torn meniscus.

• Strengthen your knee-supporting and stabilizing muscles.
• Wear a knee brace if you realize your knee is unstable or weak
• Work your way gradually to more vigorous exercise activity
• Wear athletic shoes that are appropriate for the sport you will be doing

What is the prognosis for people who suffer from a torn meniscus?

Most patients who sustain a meniscus tear can return to their activities fully. If you have surgery to correct your torn meniscus, you ought to be thoroughly okay in a few months of therapy over your knee.

Suppose you have surgery to have your meniscus entirely or partially removed, your future risk of arthritis increases. You now have fewer cushions in your joint, which can cause it to break down over time.

Living With

When should I give my doctor a call?

Make an appointment with your physician if you:

You can't bend or straighten your leg entirely without knee pain.

Swelling that doesn't fade after several days of RICE and NSAIDs.

The knee "locks up or feels ready to give way underneath you."

To seek an expert consultation for any orthopedic condition.

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