jointsguru
Meniscus are important structure of knee joint. There are two meniscus in each knee. Medial meniscus and lateral Meniscus. Medial meniscus is like a C shape structure. Lateral Meniscus is like a circle.
What is function of Meniscus ?
Meniscus does many functions in the knee joint. Their most important function is they act like shock absorber. When we jump, dance , play our upper bone and lower bone hit each other. Meniscus prevent any damage to bone by acting like shock absorber. Also meniscus provide stability to knee joint and helps ACL . If meniscus is torn than chances of knee imbalance are very high. Most patient with total Meniscectmy can complain of some instability in knee joint.
How Meniscus is torn?
Meniscus injuries can occur with knee ligament injuries. ACL injury is very common with medial meniscus injury. Because when patient continue to play , run and jump after ACL injury knee can get twisted and this causes meniscus injuries. So if you have ACL injury try to get treatment as soon as possible.
My Meniscus is torn with out Injury ?
Yes it can happen. Meniscus can be torn in above 50 years of age without injury. It is called degenerative Meniscus tear. It can cause pain, popping sound.This happens because of knee arthritis and it does not need any surgery.
What are symptoms of torn meniscus ?
Torn meniscus can cause pain and popping sound in the knee joint. This pain specially occurs when patient try to do any twisting or dancing type of movement. Pain can also occurs in using stairs or rising from sitting position. Apart from pain and popping sound torn meniscus can cause locking in knee joint .
Why my knee is locked ?
Knee meniscus injury can cause locking of the knee joint. It is because torn fragment of the meniscus get entrapped in the knee bones and patient can not extend his knee. knee locking can also occurs when patient sit for long hours and than try to stand. He feels that his knee is very stiff and he can not stand erect. Than he has to manipulate his knee and than when torn meniscus piece goes to its place than only knee can be extended.
How to know if my meniscus it torn?
MRI is only test which can tell us about meniscus. X rays are not helpful. When your doctor ask you to go for MRI do not delay it. Meniscus injury should be treated early. Delaying Meniscus injury can cause more harm than delaying ligament injury.
Type of meniscus injury/ Type of torn meniscus
meniscus tear can be of various type. Most serious is bucket handle tear. Because it causes locking of the knee joint. So it needs urgent attention. Following image shows all variety of meniscus injuries.
How to treat torn meniscus with out surgery
Grade 1 or 2 meniscus tear does not need repair or any surgery. You just need to avoid few activities like running , jumping, twisting or turning or sitting on the floor for few months. It can help in healing of Meniscus. In old age degenerative meniscus does not need any surgery. So above 55 to 60 meniscus surgery results are not good.
Save and do not cut the meniscus
new approach of the world is to save the meniscus . Meniscus can be repaired and should not be cut. Meniscus repair is only possible when meniscus is torn in red red or red white zone. It means when meniscus is torn near outer border. That time we can repair meniscus with special sutures. It is costly surgery.
Menisectomy v/s meniscus repair
When we have meniscus tear in white zone or near central part than repair is not possible and we have to remove torn part of the meniscus. This cutting should be as less as possible. But it all depends on how old is meniscus injury and how bad is meniscus torn. Thats why if you want to save meniscus than do not delay the surgery.
Meniscus grafting, A new Hope
Meniscus cadaveric grafting is a good hope for those who had meniscectomy. In this procedure meniscus is harvested from knee joint of the cadaver or dead body and implanted in knee joint. Also artificial meniscus graft are available in some countries. Results are not very encouraging and so these are in not much use. In india Meniscus allograft is not available at present.
Role of physiotherapy in torn meniscus
physiotherapy can not heal a torn meniscus but it can make your tight muscles stronger with exercises . So it can help in knee pain. Also if you have your torn meniscus repaired then you are not supposed to bend your knee or put your weight on the leg for 4 to 6 weeks. After that you might need physio help for knee movement and strength exercises.
Role of PRP in torn meniscus
It is again a very debating issue . PRP injection can help in knee pain but it does not help in healing of the meniscus . So i am not in favour of PRP uses. If you are not having mild pain and meniscus is only having grade 1 to 2 injury or incomplete tear than you can give it a try.
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