If you have been diagnosed with a meniscus tear, our knee specialist may:
- advise you to rest your knee
- advise you to use crutches
If you knee is locked as a result of your injury, our specialist may:
- recommend surgery to repair the damaged tissue, or, if the injury is severe, to remove it.
If, after 3-4 weeks of non-surgical treatment, your injury is healing as expected, our specialist may:
- refer you to physiotherapist for treatment to improve muscle strength
If your symptoms have failed to respond after 3-4 weeks of non-surgical treatment, our specialist may:
- recommend surgery to repair the damaged tissue, or, if the injury is severe, to remove it
Meniscus Tear
Meniscus tearsĀ are among the most common knee injuries. Their severity can range from minor tears that cause only minor discomfort and heal themselves without treatment, to more severe cases that inhibit the joint’s function and may require surgery.
Causes of Meniscus Tear
Meniscus tears are usually the result of forceful twisting of the leg when the foot is planted on the ground and the knee is flexed. Sometimes a direct blow to the knee can cause damage. Menisci become less resilient with age, so simple rotation of the knee may be enough to cause damage in older people.
Symptoms & Diagnosis of Meniscus Tear
You will feel pain in one side of your knee and there may be swelling. You may hear clicking noise when you bend your knee and you may not be able to put weight on the affected leg. Your knee may feel like it is locking or giving way, and could lock completely if a torn meniscus part-displaces into your knee. Our specialist will diagnose your condition through a physical examination of your knee. He may recommend an MRI scan to confirm your diagnosis.
Risks & Complications of Meniscus Tear
A torn meniscus may leave your knee joint with jagged edges and loose pieces of cartilage. If left untreated these can cause the cartilage at the ends of your tibia (shin bone), femur (thigh bone), and patella (kneecap) to become worn, possibly leading to arthritis or water on the knee. In the case of surgery (meniscectomy), the aim is to preserve as much of your meniscus, as possible as total removal may lead to further degeneration and future osteoarthritis.
