Meniscus Tears: When Knee Cartilage Ruptured
A meniscus tear is a rupture in one or both of the rubbery, C-shaped pieces of cartilage (menisci) that act as shock absorbers in your knee. Each knee has two menisci: one on the inner side (medial meniscus) and one on the outer side (lateral meniscus).
Causes
- Acute Trauma: Sudden twisting or rotating movements of the knee, especially when putting weight on it, are common causes. This often happens during sports activities that involve pivoting, jumping, or sudden stops and turns.
- Degenerative Changes: Over time, the cartilage in your knees can wear down and become thinner and weaker, making it more susceptible to tears. This is more common in older adults.
Symptoms
- Pain: Often felt on the inside or outside of the knee, depending on which meniscus is torn.
- Swelling: May occur within a few hours of the injury.
- Stiffness: Difficulty bending or straightening the knee.
- Catching or Locking: A sensation of the knee “catching” or “locking” in a bent position.
- Giving Way: Feeling of instability or the knee buckling.
Diagnosis
- Physical Exam: Your doctor will examine your knee for tenderness, swelling, and range of motion. They may perform specific tests to check for instability or pain with certain movements.
- Imaging Tests: X-rays can rule out other causes of knee pain, such as fractures. MRI scans are often used to confirm the diagnosis and determine the location and severity of the tear.
Treatment
- Non-surgical:
- Rest: Avoiding activities that aggravate the knee.
- Ice: Applying ice packs to reduce swelling and pain.
- Compression: Using a brace or wrap to support the knee.
- Elevation: Keeping the knee elevated above heart level to reduce swelling.
- Pain relievers: Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
- Physical therapy: To strengthen the muscles around the knee and improve range of motion.
- Surgical:
- Arthroscopy: A minimally invasive procedure to repair or remove the torn portion of the meniscus.