Meniscus tears are common knee injuries that can occur from forcefully
twisting or rotating the knee, especially while putting the full weight
of the body on the knee.
The meniscus is a c-shaped piece of cartilage found in each knee between
the thighbone (femur) and the shinbone (tibia). They act as shock absorbers
and cushion and stabilize the knee joints to protect the bones from wear
and tear. Pain, swelling, and stiffness are immediate upon tearing the
meniscus, and many also experience a more limited range of motion and
difficulty fully extending the knee.
Torn Meniscus Symptoms
If you have a torn meniscus, you may notice the following:
Knee pain, especially from twisting or rotating
A popping or clicking sensation
Intermittent swelling or stiffness of the knee joint
Inability to fully bend or straighten the leg (limited range of motion)
Feeling a locking or catching sensation in the affected knee
Knee instability and feeling as though it will give way
Mobility difficulties
Causes of a Meniscus Tear
Meniscus tears usually occur from physical activities in which you forcefully
twist or rotate your knee, such as pivoting or sudden stops and turns,
and they are common injuries among athletes who play sports such as basketball,
soccer, baseball, skiing or volleyball. Meniscus tears can also occur
from degeneration of the tissue, which occurs in patients with arthritis.
As we age, the knee cartilage weakens and is less resilient, meaning a
torn meniscus is possible without a traumatic injury. A torn meniscus
can happen to an older patient simply by stepping on an uneven surface.
Having a high body weight can also put strain on the meniscus.
Diagnosing a Meniscus Tear
Your doctor will physically examine the knee and check for swelling before
testing your range of motion. You may also need imaging studies such as
an X-ray or MRI scan to assess the damage and confirm the diagnosis. A
knee X-ray will assess knee alignment, the presence of calcifications
within the meniscus, and check for signs of arthritis. MRI is used to
check the soft tissues of the knee and can determine the exact location
and pattern of the meniscus tear.
Nonsurgical Treatments for a Torn Meniscus
Most people who tear their meniscus can return to full activity after conservative
treatment, depending on the size and location of the tear. Your knee surgeon
may suggest some of the following nonsurgical treatments:
Taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or aspirin
in order to relieve knee pain and swelling.
Following the R.I.C.E. protocol (rest, ice, compression and elevation),
in the initial days following the injury.
If locking, or being unable to fully bend or straighten your leg without
pain or if your swelling doesn’t subside after a few days, you may
have a more serious torn meniscus and should see your knee surgeon right
away as you may require meniscus surgery.
Surgical Treatments for a Torn Meniscus
The goal of
meniscus repair surgery is to preserve healthy meniscus tissue which requires a blood supply to
properly heal. Many types of meniscus tears occur in a region of the meniscus
without adequate blood supply for healing. Depending on the size and location
of your meniscus tear your knee surgeon may recommend one of the following
surgical procedures to repair your torn meniscus.
Types of Meniscus Surgery Include:
Meniscectomy: A meniscectomy involves the removal of the damaged meniscus tissue, has
good short-term results but may lead to the development of arthritis ten
to twenty years later.
Partial meniscectomy: A partial meniscectomy involves your knee surgeon trimming and removing
the damaged cartilage and leaving the healthy meniscus tissue in place.
Meniscus repair: With a meniscus repair, your knee surgeon sews the torn pieces of cartilage
back together so the meniscus can heal on its own. This procedure has
good results, but has a longer recovery time than meniscectomy and is
limited to roughly 10% of tears which are amenable to repair.
Meniscus replacement: A meniscus replacement is considered for young, active patients who have
previously had most of their meniscus removed, and develop pain in the
area without having advanced degenerative changes to the articular (gliding
surface) cartilage.
See a Knee Surgeon today to treat your Meniscus Tear
Call Newport Orthopedic Institute at (949) 722-7038.
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