Meniscus injury: Cause, diagnosis, treatment

Meniscus injuries occur when flexed knee is forced rotation in the extension. Meniscus gets stuck between the femur and tibia, and tear occurs when the knee joint is extended.

Most often injured meniscus is the median. This is because the medial meniscus is less mobile, hence it is easily stuck between the bones.

In the young patients tears occur in some active sports such as football or basketball. Seniors they can occur in the normal activity of day to day (due to the degeneration). In such cases, the patient may even not noticed the injury. Associated injuries capsule and ligaments are usually present.

Before reading further, it would be a good idea to see the relevant knee Anatomy(skip_this_if_you_have_already_done_so).

Tears can be of two types

Longitudinal those who are more frequent. Posterior segment is most often involved.

Small tears cause no locking. A vast tears causing locking when torn part gets moved to the (Centre of the knee) intercondylar notch.

Radial tears are more common in the meniscus.

Symptoms after meniscus injury

locking of the jointsense of the knee of weakness or to surrender the place can be feltmild swelling may be seenmuscle wasting may occur

History of locking and the ability to reproduce it or clicked as feeling during the review, is very useful in the diagnosis.

During the examination , the doctor will perform some tests that will help him in reaching a diagnosis. They include

McMurray test grinding testApley

In these two tests the doctor to manipulate your limb to varying degrees of extension and flexion at the same time applying a rotational force. It will seek a click as sound. There may also be some pain.

Diagnosis include various surveys for injury of meniscus

The x-ray of the knee joint. The menisci are not seen on x-rays. X-rays are useful to exclude other bone lesions and conditions.MRI scans, and can diagnose a meniscus torn with reasonable accuracy.Arthroscopy of the knee. Direct visualization of the meniscus and other structures in the knee joint can be made. Simultaneous processing can be performed if necessary.Treatment of meniscus injury includes lifestyle of the end modificationImmobilization in a plaster extending from the groin to the ankleSurgery

Modification of lifestyle includes

restriction of rehabilitation activitymuscular

It is indicated in the tears are sometimes symptomatic.

Cast immobilization is indicated in

incomplete tears in a stable joint (without injury associated with) stable vertical tears that occur in the periphery of the meniscus

Surgery is indicated in

all symptomatic tears that fail to heal by conservative methodsunstable tears causing locking of the knee joint

Surgery includes

excision of the portion of the meniscus was the original symptomsrepair of tears, located on the outskirts of meniscus

Complications after surgery include

hemarthrosis (blood in the joint collection) SYNOVITIS (swelling and fluid in the joint collection) deep vein thrombosis (formation of blood clots in the veins of the leg) sympathetic dystrophy reflex (a condition characterized by pain, redness, heat and muscular atrophy)

Hemarthrosis is prevented by Cauterization all bleeding vessels after surgery. If found blood is aspirated and the arm is resting splint.

SYNOVITIS is prevented by the progressive mobilization of articulation. If it occurs is by suction and immobilization splint.

Deep vein thrombosis is prevented by prophylaxis with anticoagulation drugs.

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy occurs due to the functioning of the sympathetic nerves. Treatment is physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory drugs and sympathetic blocks.

Deletion of part of the meniscus does not affect the function of the knee joint?

Yes, the excision of meniscus leads the development of degenerative changes which are proportional to the amount of the meniscus surgery. Therefore the excision of meniscus is recommended only when it is constantly producing symptoms. Only the minimum amount required for repair must be excised.

How long does take to return to sports activities after surgery?

It generally takes 3 to 4 months to return to sports activities.

I hope that you found this page useful information. If you have any query then you can ask me to contact me page.

This page was last updated on December 25, 2008.

Among the other causes of knee pain...

Osteoarthritis of the knee

Knee bursitis

The ligament injury

Fracture of the knee

Fracture of the patella

Fracture of tibial Plateau

Osgood Schlatter disease

Anatomy of the knee

Knee replacement surgery

Back pain in the knee meniscus injury

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