Getting Ahead Of A Meniscus Tear
The meniscus is a thin piece of cartilage that sits between the tibia and femur in the knee. Working like a cushion, the meniscus prevents the 2 bones from touching when the joint is in motion. Although painful, meniscus tears are actually incredibly common, especially among athletes. Individuals who perform contact sports are most at risk, given that the injury occurs when a person makes sudden shifts or stops. Complete recovery is possible, but timely diagnosis and treatment are possible.
Symptoms to know
A variety of symptoms can accompany a meniscus tear. The most common include swelling, pain in the knee joint, and reduced mobility in the area. Specific to pain, the discomfort is usually localized and may be present in the back, inside, or outside of the knee. A person suffering from this injury will often limp when walking or struggle to bend or extend the leg fully. However, symptoms associated with a meniscus injury are similar to other conditions, so a formal diagnosis is essential.
Diagnosing a tear
The most common method to diagnose a meniscus tear is imagining. Typically, an orthopedist will recommend that a patient undergo a thorough imagining diagnostic after taking a medical history and performing a physical exam of the knee. The 2 most common options will be magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or x-rays. While an x-ray can confirm that there is damage in the location, an MRI can provide a more detailed picture of the exact location or extent of the injury.
Determining the right treatments
After diagnosis, an orthopedist can create a customized treatment solution that considers a patient’s age, overall health, and injury severity. Other factors, such as whether the individual can take certain medications, engage in certain therapeutic activities, or even undergo specific activities, will also be a determining factor. Taken together, all of the above information can create a clear outline for the expected recovery timeline and potential outcomes.
Common at-home treatments
Some individuals may have a minor tear. For these cases, at-home care may be more than sufficient to treat and reverse the damage. Solutions may include icing the injury or taking over-the-counter (OTC) medications to control pain symptoms. Avoiding strenuous activity helps to prevent further damage while the ice reduces swelling. Muscle-strengthening exercises or formal physical therapy (PT) sessions can help the joint become more stable. Similarly, if poor form was the root cause of the injury, a physical therapist can help patients learn proper posture.
When surgery is necessary
In more severe cases, surgery may be required to repair the damage and regain full mobility in the injured knee. A common procedure to treat a meniscus tear is a knee arthroscopy. This is a minimally invasive procedure that relies on small incisions and the use of an arthroscope to repair or trim the damaged meniscus. Once the repair is complete, sutures will be used to close the incision. Full recovery is usually possible in 4-6 weeks post-surgery. Ultimately, being proactive about a knee injury is critical to ensure the best possible outcomes that won’t limit mobility or quality of life.
