Meniscus Tears
The meniscus is a cartilage structure in the knee that sits between the thigh bone (the femur) and the shin bone (tibia). The meniscus functions as a “shock absorber”. There are two menisci in the knee; one on the inside (or medial side) and one on the outside (or lateral side) of the knee.
Tears in the meniscus may occur as a result of an acute injury, such as a twisting injury or hyperextension injury. Meniscus tears may also be a result of chronic wear-and-tear.
Signs & Symptoms:
Patients with meniscal tears typically complain of pain in the area of the tear; the pain is typically worse with twisting or pivoting of the knee and/or excessive bending of the knee. In addition, swelling and/or mechanical symptoms, such as locking, catching, or painful popping may be present. Some patients with meniscal tears experience limited range of motion of the knee.
Diagnosis:
The diagnosis of a meniscal tear is typically made by a combination of the patient’s history, the findings on physical examination, and an MRI scan.
Treatment:
The treatment options depend upon the symptoms experienced by the patient, the age of the patient, the pattern of the tear, and whether or not arthritis is present in the knee. For patients with no symptoms, no formal treatment is necessary. For patients with pain and/or functional limitations, minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery of the knee is often recommended.
