Knee Meniscus Injury
What Happens in a Knee Meniscus Injury?
When you hear about a knee meniscus injury, it usually means that the soft cushion tissue in your knee, called the meniscus, has been damaged. This often happens when people make sudden twisting movements, like when athletes pivot to catch a ball. People with arthritis in their knees are also at higher risk for these injuries.
What is a Meniscus Tear?
Think of the meniscus as cushions for your knees. They sit between two big leg bones: the tibia (lower leg bone) and the femur (thigh bone) and it helps to stabilize the knee jont. There are two of them: one on the inside of the knee (medial meniscus) and one on the outside (lateral meniscus). If you twist your knee especially while running or playing sports it can lead to meniscus injury. It’s a common sports injury. Meniscus is a resilient structure in younger individual but with age meniscus undergoes degenerative change and becomes easier to tear as we get old.
Types of Meniscus Tear
Based on which side of your knee is affected:
1. Medial meniscus tear: When the cushion on the inside of your knee gets torn.
2. Lateral meniscus tear: When the cushion on the outside of your knee gets torn.
How Common Are These Injuries?
Lots of people, especially those who play sports, can get torn meniscus. It’s not just athletes, though. Older folks and those with knee arthritis can experience it too.
What are the Symptoms of Meniscus Tear?
If you’ve torn your meniscus, you might experience:
✓ Knee pain
✓ Swelling
✓ A popping feeling when the injury happens
✓ Difficulty bending or straightening your leg
✓ Feeling like your knee is stuck or locked
Sometimes, you might even hear a pop when the injury occurs. Although you might still be able to walk right after, your knee could become stiffer and more swollen over the next few days.
What are at risk of Meniscus Tear?
Meniscus tear are common in people who play sports or participate in activities that involves twisting of knee such as cricket, football, badminton, volleyball, dancing or doing Garba. They can also occur in older people who have degenerative changes in their knees. In older people meniscus tear can result from low force injuries and so are more common.
How to Diagnosed Meniscus Tear?
Dr. Vishal Mandlewala at Renison Knee and Shoulder Clinic will thoroughly check and examine your knee. Dr. Vishal Mandlewala might ask about your medical history and do tests like X-rays and MRI scans:
1. X-ray: to rule out Fracture and Osteoarthritis
2. MRI: This detailed scan helps spot any damage in your knee’s ligaments or muscles.
Treatment options can vary depending on factors like your age, overall health, and the severity of the injury. This is where a specialist like Dr. Vishal Mandlewala at Renison Knee and Shoulder Clinic can provide guidance and treatment options tailored to you.
What is treatment of Meniscus Tear?
✓ Icing
✓ Pain-relieving medication like ibuprofen
✓ Exercises to strengthen your muscles
✓ Arthroscopic Partial Menisectomy, where a tiny camera is used to trim the torn part of the meniscus
✓ Arthroscopic Meniscus Repair
Arthroscopy Meniscus Repair is often preferred, especially for younger patients, as it helps in better healing compared to other methods. The goal is to preserve as much of the meniscus as possible to keep the knee healthy and to prevent osteoarthritis in later age.
Take Home Message:
There are different treatment options available for your meniscus injury. It is important to evaluate and decide which options is better for you. This is where a specialist like Dr. Vishal Mandlewala at Renison Knee and Shoulder Clinic can provide guidance and treatment options tailored to you.
