WHAT IS IT?
One of the most common injuries is a torn meniscus. The meniscus is a piece of cartilage located in the knee whose key function is to stabilize the joint. A torn meniscus can happen easily with just a strong twist about this joint. This injury is frequently seen in football, volleyball and soccer.
WHAT CAUSES IT?
Activities that place a certain level of pressure on the knee joint can cause a torn meniscus. Direct pressure from a forced twist or rotation such as a sudden pivot or turn can all lead to tears in the meniscus. Athletes and heavy weight lifters are usually at high risks for this type of injury.
SYMPTOMS
• Pain upon twisting or rotating the knee
• Feeling of a locked knee or a knee that appears to give way
• Swelling in the knee around the tear
• Popping sensation during the injury
• Difficulty to bend or straighten your leg
TREATMENT
If you detect that you may have this injury, your doctor will take an X-Ray to rule out any other underlying causes. An MRI may be requested as it provides a detailed imaging of the knee cartilage.
Treatment will vary depending on the size and location of the tear. If the tear is small and located where the blood supply is good, it can heal naturally with time. In this case you may be asked to ice the knee and bandage it to reduce inflammation. Your knee should always be kept elevated to reduce swelling. Anti-inflammatory medications may also be prescribed. After some healing has taken place you may be asked to take physical therapy to increase mobility of your knee.
If the above treatments do no work, your doctor may prescribe Arthroscopic surgery. Arthroscopy can involve either resection or repair of a torn meniscus and the procedure lasts only an hour. Rehabilitation time is about six weeks during which you will be asked to wear a knee brace or crutches.
