Meniscus Tear

What is a meniscus tear?

• A meniscus tear or meniscal tear is the most common type of knee injury.
• It is caused by acute trauma or degenerative changes that occur over time.
• Meniscus tears can be caused by activities that cause you to twist or rotate your knee with force, such as strenuous body turns, sharp stops, or sudden turns.
• Even kneeling, squatting deeply or lifting heavy objects can sometimes cause a meniscus tear.
• Sports-related meniscus injuries often occur at the same time as other knee injuries.
• Degenerative knee disease in the elderly may promote meniscal tears, but rarely without trauma.

• Feeling a popping sensation when it tears and when moving the knee
• Variable knee pain located at one side of the knee joint
• Gradual swelling or stiffness of the knee over two to three days
• Variable pain, exacerbated when twisting or rotating the knee
• Feeling stuck or locked up when moving the knee
• Weakness in the knee

• You are at risk for meniscus tears during activities involving strenuous twisting and knee rotating.
• Athletes are particularly at risk, especially those who participate in contact sports (such as rugby) or sports that include turning the body (such as tennis or basketball).
• Wear and tear on the knees as you age increases the risk of meniscus tears. Obesity also increases the risk.

• People of all ages can tear their meniscus while performing various activities in many environments, including doing simple things around the house. Minor tears, although uncomfortable, can be treated naturally at home or with physiotherapy.
• With 4-6 weeks of rest and some range of motion physiotherapy to correct any biomechanical issues originating in the core, back, hips or ankles, knee pain will heal on its own. Nutritional support (e.g., eating a healthy diet, reducing inflammation in the body, taking some turmeric, fish oil, glucosamine, and chondroitin) may also relieve knee pain and inflammation.

You will be given basic questions, and the doctor will examine the knee.
X-rays may be performed if required to rule out fractures, arthritis and other problems.
An MRI scan is the gold standard investigation to evaluate the cartilage and meniscus of the knee in more detail.

• Exercise regularly to maintain stability and knee muscles
• Warm up with activity before exercising.
• Allow your body enough time to rest during your workout.
• Make sure your shoes have adequate support and fit well.
• Maintain flexibility.
• If you know you have unstable knees, wear a knee brace.

• Treatment for a meniscus tear depends on the size and location of the tear, as well as your age, activity level, and associated injuries.
• Conservative treatments such as rest, ice and medications are sometimes enough to relieve the pain caused by a meniscus tear and provide time for the injury to heal on its own. In other cases, however, meniscus tears require surgery.
• Injections of hyaluronic acid (a natural substance that forms part of the lubricating fluid in the knee) can provide temporary pain relief.
• Surgery involves a minimally invasive arthroscopic procedure with a short recovery period. You can go home the same day after surgery. You may need to wear a brace while the wound recovers. Rehabilitation is required after surgery.

• The recovery time for your knee depends on several factors, including the severity of the meniscus tear and whether you have undergone surgery. However, everyone recovers at a different rate depending on their body type and condition.
• Simple tears requiring only non-surgical treatment may take four to six weeks for your recovery time, during which time you will need to rest your knee and undergo physiotherapy.
• The recovery time for a meniscectomy (during which you will have physiotherapy) is three to six weeks.
  The rehabilitation time for meniscus repair (where you will also have physiotherapy) is three to six months.