Like many knee injuries, a meniscus tear can be painful and debilitating. Unfortunately, it’s a common occurrence. In fact, a meniscal tear is one of the most frequently reported knee cartilage injuries, affecting a significant number of individuals.
Understanding the meniscus is key to understanding meniscus tears. The meniscus is a crucial piece of cartilage in your knee that not only cushions and stabilizes the joint but also protects the bones from wear and tear. However, all it takes is a good knee twist to tear the meniscus, which can significantly impact your knee’s function and your overall mobility.
Meniscus tears are common in contact sports like football and noncontact sports requiring jumping and cutting, such as volleyball and soccer. They can happen when a person changes direction suddenly while running and often occur at the same time as other knee injuries, like an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Meniscus tears are a risk for older athletes since the meniscus weakens with age. More than 40% of people 65 or older have them.
What Does a Meniscus Tear Feel Like? Symptoms of a meniscus tear include:
- Pain in the knee
- Swelling
- A popping sensation during the injury
- Difficulty bending and straightening the leg
- A tendency for your knee to get “stuck” or lock up
What's the Treatment for a Meniscus Tear?
Treatment for meniscal tears depends on the size and location of the tear. Other factors influencing treatment include age, activity level, and related injuries. The outer portion of the meniscus, often referred to as the “red zone,” has a good blood supply and can sometimes heal on its own if the tear is small. In contrast, the inner two-thirds of the meniscus, known as the “white zone,” does not have a good blood supply. Tears in this region will not heal independently as this area lacks blood vessels to bring healing nutrients.
Happily, not all meniscal tears require surgery. If your knee is not locking up, is stable, and symptoms resolve, nonsurgical treatment may suffice. To speed the recovery, you can:
- Rest the knee – Limit activities to include walking if the knee is painful. Use crutches to help relieve pain.
- Ice your knee to reduce pain and swelling. Do it for 15-20 minutes every 3-4 hours for 2-3 days or until the pain and swelling is gone.
- Compress your knee. Use an elastic bandage or a neoprene-type sleeve on your knee to control swelling.
- Elevate your knee with a pillow under your heel when sitting or lying down.
- Take anti-inflammatory medications Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like Advil, Aleve, or Motrin, will help with pain and swelling. However, these drugs can have side effects, such as an increased risk of bleeding and ulcers. They should be only used occasionally unless your doctor specifically says otherwise.
- Stretching and strengthening exercises can help reduce stress on your knee Ask your doctor to recommend a physical therapist for guidance.
- Avoid impact activities such as running and jumping.
These conservative treatments, however, aren’t always enough. If a tear is large, unstable, or causing locking symptoms, surgery may be required to repair or remove unstable edges. The good news is that the procedure is straightforward, and you can often go home the same day. You may need a brace afterwards for protection if a repair is performed, but rest assured, there are effective solutions available.
Faqs For Meniscus Tear Lateral / Medial
What are the common causes of a meniscus tear?
Meniscus tears can occur from activities that cause direct stress or force on the knee joint, such as twisting or rotating the knee.
Can a meniscus tear heal on its own?
The outer portion of the meniscus, known as the “red zone,” has a good blood supply and can sometimes heal on its own if the tear is small. However, tears in the inner two-thirds, known as the “white zone,” typically do not heal on their own due to a lack of blood supply.
What are the symptoms of a meniscus tear?
Symptoms may include pain, swelling, a popping sensation during the injury, difficulty bending and straightening the leg, and a tendency for the knee to get “stuck” or lock up.
How is a meniscus tear diagnosed?
Your doctor will perform a thorough examination, inquire about the details of your injury, and may order X-rays or an MRI scan to evaluate the extent of the tear and rule out other problems.
What are the treatment options for a meniscus tear?
Treatment depends on the size and location of the tear, as well as other factors such as age and activity level. Nonsurgical treatments such as rest, ice, compression, elevation, and physical therapy may suffice for some tears. In cases where conservative treatments aren’t effective, surgery may be required to repair or remove the damaged portion of the meniscus.