Generally speaking, meniscus injuries are common among athletes and those who play sports. This is because the meniscus is one of the most vulnerable areas in the knee, and it is susceptible to injury. If the meniscus is damaged, it can cause a person to experience pain, as well as an aching sensation in the central part of the knee. In addition, the pain may cause a person to feel a clicking or clunking sensation.
Pain
Symptoms of meniscus injuries include pain, swelling, instability, and stiffness. The pain is usually felt in the knee, but it can also occur in other areas of the body. The symptoms usually worsen with weight-bearing activities and with twisting and bending the knee.
Loose cartilage can lead to popping or slipping sensation. Loose cartilage is more likely to occur after a knee injury.
Pain with motion and weight-bearing activity is the most common symptom of a meniscus tear. The pain is typically felt in the knee above the meniscus and can be severe. Some patients may use painkillers to relieve the pain, but these drugs may actually lead to further injury.
Another common symptom is catching and locking of the knee. These symptoms may occur for a short time, but will likely persist for a few weeks. The symptoms will depend on the type of meniscus tear that you have.
The best treatment for a meniscus tear is to strengthen the leg muscles to stabilize the knee joint. In addition, ice packs and compression bandages may be used to reduce swelling. A physical therapy program may also help you recover from a meniscus tear.
Surgical repair may be needed to repair a torn meniscus. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia. A small incision is made to clean the meniscus and repair it. X-rays may be taken to determine if the tear is fractured.
A physical therapist will develop a rehabilitation plan for you. The program may involve restoring muscle strength, reducing pain, and restoring full knee motion. The physical therapist may also prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Clicking or clunking sensation
Whether you are a soccer player, a football player, or just a regular person, meniscus injuries can cause a clicking or clunking sensation in your knee. This can be a minor problem, or it can be a sign of more serious problems.
A meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage in your knee. It helps to absorb shock in your knee and to protect the joint. If you suffer from a meniscus tear, you may experience swelling, stiffness, and pain. Depending on how severe the tear is, it may be best to rest your knee and use anti-inflammatory medication. If it is a deep tear, arthroscopic surgery may be required.
In addition to the pain, you may have a clicking or clunking sensation when you are trying to move your knee. Your doctor may want to order an imaging test to rule out any other knee problems.
The McMurray test is one of the most common tests for meniscus tears. This test involves placing tension on a torn meniscus by bending your knee and straightening it again. If the meniscus is torn on the outer edge, it may not need surgery, but if it is deeper, you may need arthroscopic debridement.
In general, mechanical symptoms will go away when the underlying cause of the problem has been treated. This is not always the case, though. If your clicking or clunking is caused by excess tissue, you may want to talk to your doctor about a corticosteroid injection to help reduce the swelling and pain.
Usually, clicking and clunking of the knee is not a cause for concern. In fact, some people enjoy trying to replicate the sound. However, if it is uncomfortable for you, it is a sign that you should consult a doctor.
Arthritic changes in the knee
Having osteoarthritis of the knee causes joint pain, stiffness, and bone spurs. Knees can also be prone to grinding, creaking, and snapping during activity. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis.
In addition to inflammation and bone spurs, x-rays of an arthritic knee may show a narrowing of the joint space. The loss of joint space is especially evident during stage 4. Bone spurs can also be painful.
Meniscal injury is an important determinant of osteoarthritis. The meniscus is a fibrocartilage, which is responsible for the lubrication and stability of the knee joint. It is composed of a collagen fiber network, glycosaminoglycan, and water. The meniscus covers more than half of the tibial plateau. Its function is to transmit the load from the tibia to the femur.
Meniscus injuries, including the medial meniscus posterior root (MMPRT) tear, are associated with osteoarthritic changes in the knee. These tear patterns are also associated with an increased risk of radiographic OA. In one study, 10-year cohort data showed that middle-aged patients with MMPRT had a high risk of radiographic OA. In another study, meniscal extrusion was associated with medial tibial osteophytes.
The MTP and the medial tibial plateau (MTP) are both affected by osteoarthritic changes. The femoral condyle also exhibits irregularities and pitting. MRI of the knee is an effective method for meniscus evaluation. It has a diagnostic accuracy of up to 90%.
Surgical intervention can preserve the meniscus’ function and prevent OA. It is important to repair meniscal tears as soon as possible. This procedure is called meniscectomy.
Another approach involves centralizing the meniscus-capsule complex to the edge of the tibial plateau. It is considered to be an alternative to total meniscectomy.
Damage in the central portion
Surgical treatment for meniscus tears includes minimal removal of the damaged tissue and repositioning of the remaining central fragment. However, many meniscal tears are irreparable. For those that do heal, the benefits of meniscus repair can improve functional outcomes.
In the United Kingdom, meniscus repair has been increasing in popularity over the past few years. One of the most common surgical procedures is knee arthroscopy. This procedure uses a camera and surgical instruments through a small incision in the knee.
Meniscus tears are typically classified according to their location. Radial tears originate from the inner free edge of the meniscus. Longitudinal tears run parallel to the long axis of the meniscus. Incomplete or intrasubstance tears are not typically problematic. They may appear normal when the surgeon first begins surgery.
The bucket-handle tear is a good example. This type of tear is the opposite of the radial tear and involves tearing away from the meniscus’ joint lining. Typically, it occurs after a sudden movement. It can be painful and prevent you from straightening your knee.
The best way to get a meniscus tear repaired is to preserve as much of the meniscus as possible. This may mean arthroscopic surgery or a partial meniscectomy.
The other possible answer is to replace the damaged tissue with meniscal implants. Injections of platelet-rich plasma are emerging as a treatment for meniscus tears. It has also been suggested that osteotomy may be useful in the case of malaligned knees with meniscal damage.
The National Blood Service recently funded an MS thesis on the biomechanics of meniscal allograft transplants. Although no firm conclusions were drawn, it appears that the meniscus has a role in shock absorption.
Treatment options
Managing meniscus injuries requires a careful analysis of the situation. Treatment options include nonsurgical treatments, as well as surgery. Surgical procedures include arthroscopy and meniscus repair.
Physical therapy can help restore range of motion and strength. Treatment may also include anti-inflammatory medications and over-the-counter pain relievers. Physical therapists can also recommend exercises to help you stabilize your knee joint.
An MRI can help pinpoint the location of the meniscus tear. In addition to helping you diagnose a tear, it may also be able to identify the type of tear.
An arthroscope is a thin, flexible scope that can be inserted into your knee. It contains a camera and light, which enables the surgeon to see inside the joint.
Steroid injections can also reduce inflammation. Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory medicines. They can also be used to reduce the swelling associated with meniscus injuries. However, these treatments don’t necessarily heal the meniscus tear.
Stem-cell therapies have been proven to help heal injured tissue. These treatments are considered experimental in some countries, and most insurance companies won’t cover them. Although stem-cell therapies have been proven to help heal meniscus injuries, they haven’t been proven to have long-term benefits.
Some physicians are also testing platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. These injections may show promise in the future.
For more serious meniscus tears, physical therapy may be required. This is usually done in a non-operative program, and it may focus on restoring knee motion and strength. The length of time needed for physical therapy varies depending on the tear. Depending on the extent of the tear, physical therapy may be completed in four to eight weeks.
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