Meniscus Treatment
Meniscus of the knee are crescent-shaped wedges that fill the gap between the tibia and femur. The menisci provide joint stability by creating a cup for the femur to sit in. The outer edges are fairly thick while the inner surfaces are thin.
There are two meniscus :
The one on the inner side is called medial meniscus and one on the outer as lateral meniscus. The medial meniscus, located on the inside of the knee, is more of an elongated “C”- shape, as the tibial surface is larger on that side. The medial meniscus is more commonly injured because it is firmly attached to the medial collateral ligament and joint capsule. The lateral meniscus, on the outside of the knee, is more circular in shape. The lateral meniscus is more mobile than the medial meniscus as there is no attachment to the lateral collateral ligament or joint capsule.
The outer edges of each meniscus is attached to the tibia by the short coronary ligaments. Other short ligaments attach the ends of the menisci to the tibial surface. The inner edges are free to move because they are not attached to the bone. This lets the menisci change shape as the joint moves. The front portion of the meniscus is referred to as the anterior horn, the back portion is the posterior horn, and the middle section is the body.
What is a meniscus tear?
A meniscal tear is an injury of soft cartilages (meniscus) that are located between the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shinbone) in the lower leg. It may occur as a result of squatting, turning or twisting during any activity. Meniscal tear is a common sport-related injury among athletic individuals, which occurs irrespective of age. It may also occur along with other knee injuries, such as anterior cruciate ligament tears.
Symptoms
Acute tears are often sports related and usually the result of a twisting injury in the younger, active adult population. Symptoms of an acute tear are usually pain, swelling, and movement irregularities. When the tear gets in the way of normal knee motion, the knee can “catch” or “lock” as it moves.
Degenerative tears are more common in the older population. The patient may experience repeated swelling, but often can’t recall any specific injury. The swelling also may be the result of an injury caused by a very minor movement. Mechanical symptoms, such as knee catching or locking, often exist. Or, the patient may simply experience pain.
Treatment
Non-operative Treatment Many small meniscal tears will heal without surgical treatment. Also, some tears may have no symptoms.
Partial tears, degenerative tears, and stable tears may be observed for 2 – 3 months.
If symptoms disappear, no surgery is needed. The use of a knee brace and restriction of activities may be recommended to prevent further injury.
Surgical Treatment
Surgical treatment for a meniscal tear may be indicated if:
