Meniscal Tear
A meniscal tear is a common injury of the knee. The meniscus is
a wedge-like, shock-absorbing piece of cartilage found within your
knee joint. It is shaped like a C and curves inside
and outside the joint to stabilize your knee. It also allows your
thigh (the femur) and your shin (the tibia) bones to glide and twist
over each other with movement, as well as provide cushioning support
for the weight-bearing job of your legs.
Injury to the meniscus often happens during sport activity, when
a sudden twisting of the knee, pivoting, or deceleration causes
a tear in your cartilage. A meniscal tear can also occur simultaneously
with injury to other ligaments of the knee (in particular, the anterior
cruciate ligament which helps to connect the upper and lower leg
bones).
You may hear a popping sound at the time of injury to the meniscus,
and you may still be able to bear weight and walk on the injured
knee. Pain, swelling, and redness of the joint then develop over
the next 12 to 24 hours. In some cases, a piece of cartilage can
interfere with knee movement, and you may notice that your knee
will “lock” or “pop” with attempted movement.
Your doctor may choose to evaluate a possible tear with an MRI scan,
a form of imaging that uses a large magnet to view changes in tissue.
Initial treatment of a meniscal tear follows basic home care management
— “RICE,” which stands for Rest,
Ice, Compression, and Elevation.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) are helpful
to relieve pain and inflammation. This may be all that is needed
for minor tears that have occurred in the outer edges of the meniscus.
Surgery may be recommended for tears that are central, cause locking
or instability of your knee, or for injuries that don’t heal
on their own. Surgery may involve using a small, pen-sized camera
(called an arthroscope) to trim torn flaps in the cartilage and
repair any other damaged ligaments. Often, a brace or cast is needed
after surgery, and physical therapy is an important part of recovery
to relieve pain and strengthen and stabilize the muscles around
your knee.
If you suspect that you have signs or symptoms of a meniscal
tear, please see your doctor for further evaluation and treatment
options.
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