What You Should Know About Meniscus Injuries
Each knee has two menisci, which are cartilage pads with a crescent shape. They have a critical function in stabilizing the knee joint, facilitating knee joint mobility, and absorbing the shock of walking and other weight-bearing movements.
To describe a tearing of one of the menisci, the term “meniscus injury” is commonly used. Trauma to the knee joint or deterioration of the knee joint as a result of aging is two possible causes. The knee feels like it’s giving way because of the discomfort and swelling.
The meniscus’s function
The meniscus is an avascular structure that receives only a small amount of blood flow. However, the knee’s biomechanical function relies on it – says Dr.Neeraj Mehta Ph.D. candidate biomechanics & alternative medicine & professor at American Sports Fitness University & COO GFFI Fitness Academy The knee joint’s articulating surfaces are more congruent when the meniscus is present. In addition to this, the meniscus is essential for walking and other activities because it absorbs shock and transmits load. Additional benefits include preventing knee flexion and extension at extreme angles and providing proprioceptive feedback. Meniscal injuries have become increasingly popular in recent years for all of the above reasons.
Meniscus Injury
A tear in one of the knee’s menisci causes a meniscus injury. There are a number of functions that the menisci perform. Walking stability by preventing extreme knee bends and straightenings shock absorption weight transmission
A meniscus tear affects out of every 100,000 people in the general population, according to 2021 research. Trauma and degenerative changes in the knee joint are among the possible causes of this injury.
There are 6 types of Meniscus Tears
A torn meniscus causes knee discomfort because the affected cartilage no longer protects the bones in the knee joint. A tear can cause inflammation, stiffness, and loss of function as the bones rub against each other.
A radial meniscus tear is the most prevalent form. An unblooded portion of the knee cannot mend on its own.
Severe tears may necessitate surgery. In radial tears, the surgeon trims the injured meniscus.
A horizontal meniscus tear is one of the easiest to repair. Rather than removing the torn meniscus, the surgeon will try to sew the circumferential fibers back together.
Meniscus repair requires location. The more vascular regions of the meniscus, adjacent to the outside border, have a greater potential for healing.
An incomplete or intrasubstance tear may appear normal as the surgeon begins surgery, but it is an indication of degenerative changes in the meniscus tissue. This injury isn’t generally a problem.
These tears are considered stable and do not require surgery. An MRI scan can reveal the tear.
A complicated meniscus tear has many tear patterns, often radial and horizontal. The meniscus can be removed, but no reparative surgery is usually required.
A flap tear has an odd tear pattern. A patient with a flap rip may feel a catching in their knee. The meniscus flap generates the sensation, and it can be removed to relieve the pain.
A bucket handle tear is like a horizontal tear, but it incorporates more of the meniscus. The knee becomes stuck, and the torn meniscus prevents normal knee motion. This sort of damage frequently necessitates immediate surgery to restore knee flexion.
When a meniscus is torn or stretched, the most typical symptoms are pain and stiffness in the knee, along with swelling and the inability to walk or bend the leg. When symptoms of a torn meniscus or knee discomfort make it impossible for you to walk normally, see a doctor.
Symptoms
Pain and swelling may not begin to develop for up to 24 hours after you’ve torn your meniscus, especially if the tear is tiny. Signs and symptoms of knee pain include the following:
A sensation of sizzling heat
stiffness or swelling
When twisting or rotating your knee, your knee aches.
Inability to fully extend your knee
There is a sense of immobility when you try to move your knee.
You feel as if your knee is collapsing.
When is the best time to see a doctor?
Your doctor should be called if your knee is swollen or hurts, or if you can’t move it as you typically would.
Frequently asked question for Meniscus tear – Answered by Dr. Neeraj Mehta (Ph. D.):
How long does it take for a meniscus tear to heal?
The most frequent knee injury is a meniscus tear. If your meniscus tear is treated non-surgically, you should expect a 6- to 8-week healing period.
Is it possible for a torn meniscus to worsen over time?
Pain and swelling are common symptoms of a torn meniscus. There is a good chance that you will notice if you have a torn meniscus. Despite being in excruciating pain, most people are nevertheless able to move. Swelling may occur at any time and can increase over time if it is not treated.
Is it possible to move about with a torn meniscus?
Localized pain in the knee is common in patients with a torn meniscus. Twisting or squatting might increase the pain. Meniscal tears in the knee don’t always cause pain whether the patient is moving about, standing, sitting, or sleeping.
Will a knee brace assist if you have a torn meniscus?
Yes. Meniscus tears can’t be fixed or treated using knee braces, but they may provide extra support and stability while the injury heals. Bracing your knee properly will protect it and relieve the stress on your meniscus, allowing it to rest.
What happens if you don’t treat a meniscus tear?
This might lead to the meniscus slipping into the joint if left untreated. Surgery may be necessary to recover full knee function. Osteoarthritis may result from meniscus injuries that are not treated properly.
Useful links on Google:
https://www.howardluksmd.com › … › Sports MedicineSep 17, 2021 — The function of a meniscus is to act as a shock absorber within the knee. We have two menisci. We have a medial meniscus on the inner side … The knee meniscus: structure-function, pathophysiology …https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › articles › PMC3161498by EA Makris · 2011 · Cited by 908 — The meniscus withstands many different forces such as shear, tension, and compression. It also plays a crucial role in load-bearing, load …Structure and Function of the… · Meniscus Pathophysiology · Scaffolds for Tissue.. The Basic Science of Human Knee Menisci – NCBIhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › articles › PMC3435920by AJS Fox · 2012 · Cited by 369 — The menisci serve many important biomechanical functions. They contribute to load transmission, shock absorption, stability
Meniscus (anatomy) – Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Meniscus_(anatomy)Function — Function[edit]. The menisci act to disperse the weight of the body and reduce friction during movement. Since the condyles of the femur and tibia …Greek: μηνίσκος (“meniskos”)Latin: MenisciStructure · Clinical significance
What is the function of the meniscus in the kneehttps://www.orthopaedicsone.com › display › ClerkshipJan 12, 2014 — What is the function of the meniscus in the knee? What is the consequence of tearing a meniscus? Why are most symptomatic meniscal tears …
Functional anatomy and biomechanics of the meniscushttps://www.sciencedirect.com › science › article › piiby GL Caldwell Jr · 1994 · Cited by 34 — Load transmission generally is accepted as one of its primary functions. The menisci transmit a portion of the axial forces across the knee joint by converting …
Medial meniscus – Physiopediahttps://www.physio-pedia.com › Medial_meniscusThe word menisci are derived from the Greek work meniskos, which means “crescent”. At knee joint the menisci plays a major role in congurency of the joint.
The human meniscus: A review of anatomy, function, injury …https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com › doi › fullby AJS Fox · 2015 · Cited by 295 — The primary function of the meniscus is to transmit load across the tibiofemoral joint by increasing congruency, thereby decreasing the …
Structure and Function of the Meniscus: Basic and Clinical …https://link.springer.com › chapterby MA Kelly · 1990 · Cited by 34 — The menisci are fibrocartilaginous structures that are essential to normal function of the knee. Once thought to be functionless, investigations have
