The menisci are the shock absorbers of the knee. They are crescent-shaped rubber-like cartilages that lie between the femur and the tibia. There is a meniscus on both sides of the leg, the medial and the lateral meniscus. The medial meniscus is on the inside side of the knee, while the lateral meniscus is in the outer part.
The menisci help improve the knee joint’s stability and distribute shock and axial load. Furthermore, menisci provide lubrication and nutrients to the joint. Simply put, the menisci assist in the smooth movements of the knee.
Meniscus tear is a common sports injury, but it can happen due to wear and tear as we grow older. Meniscus tears are classified into three grades. Grade 1 and 2 are not as severe as grade 3 tears. Meniscus tears are visualized using an arthroscope. For example, in a grade 3 tear, the doctor can see the tear with an arthroscope.
What can cause meniscus tears?
In younger people, meniscus tears are caused by a sudden twisting of the knee joint while the foot is still on the ground. However, as I said earlier, it can also be caused by continuous wear and tear due to age; these are called degenerative tears.
What are the symptoms of meniscus tears?
If you feel a ‘pop,’ you likely have a meniscus tear. You might still be able to walk with the injured knee, but it might get stiffer in the next couple of days. You might also get the feeling of your knees locking or feeling unstable.
Swollen knees are also a common sign. Swelling occurs hours after the injury; the swelling is also accompanied by pain. Meniscus tears occur suddenly, but it might take up to 24 hours before symptoms begin.
You may also be unable to extend your leg or feel pain when you try to flex the knee.
Diagnosis of meniscus tears
The doctor will often want a picture of events that lead to the injury and questions about the general conditions of the knee before the injury. Your medical history is always essential; doctors want to know if you have knee injuries or bone conditions.
The doctor will perform some physical examinations to identify which meniscus is the problem or if there is more than one type of injury, like sprains or strains. The amount of pain you feel during these maneuvers will give the doctor an idea about the severity of the injury.
The best diagnostic test is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The meniscus is black in the image, but if there are any tears, it will appear white. The doctor can also do an X-ray. However, one cannot see the menisci on x-ray scans, but an x-ray helps the doctor cancel out the fracture as the cause of the pain.
What is the treatment for meniscus tears?
If the doctor diagnoses you with Grade 3 meniscus tears, it will require surgery. The surgeries include arthroscopic repair and arthroscopic partial and total meniscectomy. Arthroscopic repairs take about 40 minutes, and if everything goes smoothly, you should be able to go home the same day after the surgery. However, Menisectomy involves removing some part of the injured meniscus to prevent knee locking. Meniscectomy is a bigger surgery than arthroscopic repairs.
Meniscus tears usually don’t heal independently, so you must get the proper medical treatment. The treatment you get will depend on the severity of the injury. However, the first line of treatment is usually for pain and swelling control. Further treatments involve you visiting a physiotherapist or having to do surgery.
What are some of the medicines you can use for meniscus tears?
Over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen can help with the pain. However, the doctor may prescribe stronger painkillers if the pain is severe. Apart from helping with the pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen often help to reduce inflammation. However, please note that analgesics should only be used briefly because they may cause side effects like stomach ulcers. If you have any questions about the medications or any history of allergy to NSAIDs, please inform the doctor.
Physiotherapy for meniscus tears
The physiotherapist will evaluate your knee and develop a personal exercise program. For example, I had a friend who had a medial meniscus tear, the physiotherapist gave him some exercises to do for 15 minutes every morning, and he was doing better in a few weeks. The activities will strengthen the knee joints and improve the range of motion.
Conclusion
Meniscus tears are common sports injuries. They might also occur as one of the degenerative injuries of old age. Meniscus tears are diagnosed using MRI, history taking, and physical examinations. You must tell your doctor your expectations so the doctor can provide the proper treatment. Treatments for meniscal tears include painkillers, physiotherapy, and surgery. Thanks for reading this blog; please comment, like, and share.
MABS 