What is Meniscus?
A meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage. Each of our knees has two menisci, which act as a cushion between your shin and thigh bone. A torn meniscus causes swelling, knee pain, and stiffness.
What is a Torn Meniscus?
One of the most common knee injuries is a meniscus tear. This injury usually occurs during an activity that causes your knee to forcefully rotate or twist. When this happens, especially if you put full weight on it, this can lead to a torn meniscus.
It is advisable for rest, ice, and medication after a tear. Sometimes this is enough to relieve pain and to allow the injury time to heal on its own. In other cases, however, a meniscus tear requires surgical repair.
Symptoms of a Torn Meniscus
It’s typical after a meniscus tear for the following to occur:
- Swelling or stiffness
- A popping sensation
- Difficulty straightening your knee fully
- Pain, especially when twisting or rotating your knee
- Knee locked in place
Torn Meniscus Causes
When a meniscus tear occurs, it’s typically a result of an injury from an activity that causes you to forcefully twist or rotate your knee. Sometimes, from aggressive pivoting or sudden turns and stops. It’s also common for a torn meniscus to occur from kneeling, lifting something heavy, or squatting. However, in older adults, degenerative occurrences in the knee can be a factor of a tear, even with no trauma at all.
Athletes are at a higher risk for this injury, especially those who participate in contact sports, such as the following:
- Football
- Tennis
- Basketball
Also, see: Common Football Injuries
Treatment for a Torn Meniscus
The first treatment for a torn meniscus is typically rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medications. Additionally, X-rays or an MRI might be ordered by a physician to show the severity.
Arthroscopic Meniscus Repair
This procedure is performed with a tiny camera and tiny tools to repair the meniscus. Arthroscopy offers minimum downtime and optimal healing.
Physical Therapy is typically used to strengthen the muscles around your knee to help stabilize and support the knee joint.
Also, see: What You Can Do to Help Prevent Sport and Exercise Injuries
For a preferred knee specialist in Broward & Palm Beach County, contact us today at 888-409-8006.