Meniscal tears most often occur behind the knee. The tears occur when the knee is twisted while in a flexed, weight-bearing position. This creates a shear force on the meniscus, causing it to tear.
What is the mechanism of a medial meniscal injury and why is the medial meniscus more likely to be injured?
The medial meniscus is more vulnerable to injury to due to its intimate attachment to the medial collateral ligament. The moveable lateral meniscus is less prone to tear except when the ACL is injured.
What structures are involved in a meniscus tear?
Meniscal tears occur due to a shear force between the femur and tibia. In younger patients, this is typically a twisting force on a weightloaded flexed knee.
How does medial meniscus tear happen?
Medial meniscal tears frequently take place when the foot is fixed on the ground and a twisting force is applied to the knee or following a forceful jump or landing. Meniscus tears may also result from a simple twist, or repeated squatting over the years.
What is a meniscus tear called?
If your meniscus is injured or torn (often called torn cartilage), your healthcare provider may recommend surgery to remove the damaged part or repair it.
How do you diagnose meniscus tear?
You will have a physical exam to find out if you have a torn meniscus and to rule out other knee injuries. Your doctor will check both knees for tenderness, range of motion, and knee stability. X-rays are usually done. Based on your symptoms and the physical exam, your doctor may diagnose a meniscus tear.
What is the mechanism of an ACL injury?
Mostly it is a non-contact deceleration where the athlete suddenly turns to the opposite side of the planted knee and injures it. As the patient turns and pivots the ligament tears. In basketball, it is usually a result of hyperextension and internal rotation of the tibia on the femur, associated with deceleration.
What do they do for a torn meniscus?
Treatment for a meniscus tear will depend on its size, what kind it is, and where it’s located within the cartilage. Most likely, your doctor will recommend that you rest, use pain relievers, and apply ice to you knee to keep the swelling down. They may also suggest physical therapy.
What is the role of the meniscus?
The menisci of the knee joint are crescent-shaped wedges of fibrocartilage that provide increased stability to the femorotibial articulation, distribute axial load, absorb shock, and provide lubrication to the knee joint. Injuries to the menisci are recognized as a cause of significant musculoskeletal morbidity.
What kind of pain is a torn meniscus?
Pain. A torn meniscus usually produces well-localized pain in the knee. The pain often is worse during twisting or squatting motions. Unless the torn meniscus has locked the knee, many people with a torn meniscus can walk, stand, sit, and sleep without pain.
What can I do for a meniscus tear?
Initial treatment. Treatment for a torn meniscus often begins conservatively,depending on the type,size and location of your tear.
How to heal a torn meniscus naturally?
Meniscus Tear First Step. Fruits and vegetables, especially those high in antioxidants and good Omega-3 fats like avocados work to reduce inflammation in the body. If you feed your body with the proper fuel it needs, it can begin to heal it’s own wounds, leaving not only your knee, but your entire body feeling healthier.
How long does it take to recover from a torn meniscus?
It is dependent on the severity of the case, type of treatment, if surgery is done, then it depends on the type of surgery and rehabilitation program. If surgery is performed to treat meniscus tear, then it may take a month to recover. Full recovery may take four to six months with effective physical therapy to restore full function and strength.
How do they repair a torn meniscus?
Torn meniscus. Conservative treatment — such as rest, ice and medication — is sometimes enough to relieve the pain of a torn meniscus and give the injury time to heal on its own. In other cases, however, a torn meniscus requires surgical repair.
