Meniscus Injuries: Types, Symptoms, and Management
To enable the knees to withstand the pressure of daily activities such as walking or climbing stairs, or sports activities, they need a system of shock absorbers to absorb it and allow the femur and tibia to continue functioning without colliding with each other. This is the main function of the menisci, two crescent-shaped discs of fibrocartilaginous tissue. Inside the knee, we find the medial meniscus, located on the inner and lateral part of the joint, and the lateral meniscus, on the outer part of it.
Meniscus injuries or tears usually occur in sports, but they can happen in any other situation, especially in older people with greater wear and tear of these tissues. They normally occur when turning the body and hip with the foot planted on the floor.
There are different types of injuries; 5 are the most common:
Symptoms:
When a meniscus is torn, pain may be felt in the inner or outer part of the knee, depending on which meniscus suffered the injury. A popping or grinding sensation can also be felt, and the person may feel the knee lock, unable to move it correctly. Instability is felt, and in some cases, the joint may give way. Joint effusion also occurs a few hours after the injury happens; that is, there is inflammation caused by the accumulation of fluid, whether synovial or blood.
What should I do?
It is important to treat these types of tears properly as they can cause other damage to different structures such as the articular cartilage or the medial collateral ligament. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a specialist doctor as soon as possible to determine the severity and location of the tear and injury and its orthopedic management.
Management:
In some cases, when the tear is small and located in the red-red zone of the menisci (where there is more blood supply), and there is no effusion or locking, it can heal on its own. It is necessary to accompany the treatment with analgesics, anti-inflammatories, and physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the knee. Another option that can accompany a more conservative management is swimming, as it helps strengthen the muscles without subjecting the knee to loads and pressures.
When the tear is larger or the patient performs sports practices constantly, semi-professionally, or professionally, surgery to repair the damage may be indicated. It is performed through arthroscopy and can take different forms: remodeling, suturing, or meniscal transplant, depending on the location and condition of the meniscus and the technique to be applied.
