Meniscus Tear
A Common Knee Injury Affecting the Cartilage
Your meniscus is a vital, rubbery cartilage disc in your knee joint that plays a crucial role in maintaining knee stability and function. Each of your knees have two,C-shaped menisci: the lateral meniscus, located on the outer side of the knee joint, and the medial meniscus, situated on the inner side. These structures act as the knee’s shock absorbers, helping to distribute load, protect ligaments from excessive force, and keep your knee joint stable.
The lateral meniscus absorbs up to 80% of the load on the outer knee compartment, while the medial meniscus bears about 50% of the load on the inner compartment.
WHAT CAUSES A MENISCUS TO TEAR
Meniscus tears are among the most common knee injuries, especially among athletes, but they can affect anyone. Any activity that involves a forceful twist or strong rotation of the knee can lead to a tear. Sports like football, tennis, netball, and basketball, which involve sudden changes in direction, put athletes at a higher risk of developing meniscus tears. These tears often occur in conjunction with injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which connects the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shin bone).
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF A MENISCUS TEAR?
Meniscus tears of the knee vary in severity, the size of the tear and the location. Patients with a smaller tear can often walk, stand, sit, and sleep without pain.Untreated meniscus tears of the knee can increase in size and lead to complications.
Symptoms to watch for are:
- A popping sensation or sound at the time of injury
- Sudden and severe pain if the tear occurs during trauma
- Gradual and constant pain if the tear occurs over time
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Locking sensation in the knee
- Feeling of the knee joint being unstable or “giving way”
- Inability to completely straighten or bend the knee.
HOW ARE MENISCUS TEARS OF THE KNEE DIAGNOSED?
MRI scans offer a precise diagnosis of meniscus tears, especially for tears at the meniscal edge which can be more challenging to identify.
HOW ARE MENISCUS TEARS OF THE KNEE TREATED?
Dr Keeleyconsiders various factors such as the tear’s size, location, and your activity level, age, and medical history to determine the most effective treatment plan for you.
Non-Surgical Treatment:For small tears in the well-supplied “red zone” of the meniscus, rest, anti-inflammatory medications, physiotherapy, and possibly corticosteroid injections may suffice.The “white zone,” lacking blood supply, cannot heal independently, necessitating other treatment forms for tears in this area.
Surgical Treatment:Should non-surgical methods prove inadequate or if the tear is in a non-healing zone, Dr Keeley may recommend arthroscopic surgery. This minimally invasive procedure involves using a small camera and instruments to repair the tear, with possible techniques including:
- Debridement: Removing the torn cartilage.
- Meniscal Repair: Suturing the tear.
- BMAC Therapy: Utilising bone marrow to aid healing, often in conjunction with suturing.
- Meniscectomy: Removing the damaged meniscus.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE A MENISCUS TEAR TO HEAL?
The healing timeline for a meniscus repair varies with the tear’s complexity and size. Simple repairs may heal within four months, while more intricate surgeries might require up to seven months for an athlete to resume competition-level activities.
Understanding the crucial role of the meniscus, recognising injury symptoms, and pursuing appropriate treatment are vital steps towards achieving optimal knee health and returning to daily or athletic activities.