A Torn meniscus is a knee injury that affects athletes and people who actively participate in physical activities. Contact an orthopedic surgeon in Mulund to understand your treatment options for a meniscus tear.
The meniscus is the cartilage located between the femur and tibia inside your knee joint. This cartilage doesn’t only provide cushioning to your joints but acts as shock absorbers. A torn meniscus limits your range of knee movements. You can’t stretch, bend, and straighten your knee with a torn meniscus.
Causes and Symptoms
Sudden movements like twisting your knee to catch a ball can tear the meniscus. This is more common in people involved in sports and physical activities since your cartilage wears when you put excess pressure on your knee joint while twisting it.
Aging is another common cause of a torn meniscus. The frequent use of your knee joint can wear down the cartilage, increasing the risk of a meniscus tear. People with arthritis are also at a higher risk of this knee injury. People notice the signs of a torn meniscus in the next few hours after the injury. Symptoms include:
- A popping sound
- Difficulty bending, stretching, or straightening your knee
- Swelling
- Difficulty executing regular movements
A meniscal tear can be extremely painful. It can also lead to other serious complications, such as ACL tear, if not healed.
How is it Diagnosed?
Your healthcare specialist will conduct imaging tests, such as X-rays and MRIs to detect the severity of the damage. Knee arthroscopy is another common test for the diagnosis of cartilage injuries. In this procedure, the knee surgeon makes a small incision in your knee and inserts a camera to get a better view of the injury.
Treatment for Meniscus Tear
Most meniscus tear injuries heal without surgery. Depending on the damage, the doctor might prescribe anti-inflammatory medications for pain and swelling. Do not put unnecessary pressure on your knee. You should rest as much as possible and massage the affected joints gently with an ice pack for 20-30 minutes every day.
Although a meniscus tear heals on its own, the doctor might recommend arthroscopic surgery if your condition doesn’t improve with rest and non-inflammatory drugs. The doctor removes the damaged parts of the meniscus to relieve pain. Your knee will be completely stable a few months after the surgery. Your doctor will advise physical therapy to stabilize your knee. If the meniscus tear occurs because of arthritis, you may need knee replacement surgery in Mulund.
Prevention Tips
Although you can’t eliminate the risk of a meniscus tear altogether, a few prevention tips can help.
- Get a knee brace if you experience difficulty moving your knees properly
- Don’t practice high-intensity exercises that put excess pressure on your knee, especially if you have an unstable knee.
- Wear athletic shoes
- Avoid sudden movements, especially twisting and rotation of your knee joint.
- Perform knee straightening and stretching exercises regularly to keep your knee in shape
You can return to your routine activities within a few days of the injury.