Rupture or tear of the meniscus is one of the most common knee injuries. The menisci They are fibrocartilage structures located in the knee joint, there are two menisci per knee. It is a strong and flexible fabric that acts as shock absorber between the bones of the tibia and femur.
In this article we tell you how to identify a break in meniscus and what are its causes and treatment.
How do I know if my meniscus is torn and what are the causes?
The symptoms of meniscus tear, when the tear is not particularly serious, sometimes they do not appear until after 24 hours. However, below, we tell you some of the most common symptoms that help us identify a possible tear.
- Locked sensation in the knee.
- You may feel a slight clicking sound with movement.
- Swelling or stiffness in the knee.
- Pain, especially when performing a rotating knee movement.
- Feeling of loss of strength.
- Problems fully extending the leg.
The Menisci can be torn degeneratively or traumaticly. In people over 50 years of age, the tear can be caused by wear and tear in the joints; in this case, the pain that appears is less and surgical intervention may not be necessary. On the other hand, in injuries resulting from trauma, both the pain and inflammation are greater and more localized.
Some Causes That can lead to a traumatic break or tear are unusual movements such as twists and stops performed with excessive force. Sometimes even kneeling, lifting a heavy object, or squatting can cause the tear.
Some sports, due to the nature of the movement they require, they can be more likely to lead to a meniscus tear. One of them is athletics, which requires a very repetitive impact on the joints. On the other hand, sports such as football, tennis or basketball also have a greater risk, as they require turns and changes of direction that can be very abrupt.
Meniscus tear treatment
It's fundamental identify and treat in time this problem to prevent it from leading to more serious problems that are difficult to treat. It can lead to muscle atrophy, cartilage degeneration or even the development of osteoarthritis.
In order to know the state of the meniscus and know the real damage, it is necessary to perform a magnetic resonance of the knee.
Depending on the severity of the tear, doctors may recommend a type of concrete treatment. For less serious cases, it can heal naturally with time of rest, applying ice, and taking medications for pain and inflammation. In more severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to correct the problem.
Degenerative lesions
When the injury has occurred as a result of a degenerative process or chronic, it is usual for patients do not need surgery. Rest and begin a specialized program of rehabilitation Focusing on the treatment of meniscus tears may be the solution.
Improving the muscles and stabilizing the knee is of vital importance. Additionally, it may be advisable to lubricate the knee by intra-articular infiltrations, for example, with hyaluronic acid.
Traumatic injuries
The most common way to intervene in a meniscus tear due to trauma is through arthroscopy. The surgeon accesses a video camera through a small incision and can observe and treat the joint problem. It is a technique that seeks to be as least invasive as possible and minimize tissue damage.
The intervention is carried out outpatient and usually with Local anesthesia. The procedure lasts between 30 and 60 minutes. During the intervention two procedures are carried out:
- The meniscus suture is performed.
- The injured fragment is removed to regularize the meniscus.
He Recovery time It depends on the specific characteristics of each patient and each injury, and can vary from 2 weeks to 4 months. Both the pain and the recovery time are shorter than usual in conventional knee surgery.
It is important that after the operation, the patient does not lose muscle mass and begins to strengthen the knee. Although it will take a few months to regain full movement and be able to play sports, It is advisable to start with physiotherapy sessions that help speed up the time frames.
With the help of professionals, the patient will be able to recover in a way faster and easier. The inflammation will disappear more quickly and the patient will not lose their shape, so that after a few weeks, they will achieve a complete recovery.
In Retirement Clinics We are experts in the treatment of knee injuries. Consult with our professionals how to act in the event of a meniscus tear and recover as quickly as possible. Get in contact us.
English (UK) 
Español