Aside from being the largest joints in your body, your knees are arguably among the hardest working, considering the tremendous tasks they do to help move and support your body. Hence, when a problem in your knees arises, it can severely impact your day-to-day activities and the overall quality of your life.
One of the most common and severe knee problems you can experience is a torn meniscus. The meniscus is a C-shaped cartilage pad located between the shinbone and the thighbone that functions as a shock absorber. It helps prevent degenerative changes on the knee’s bones and cartilage as well as assists in guiding movements.
Each of your knees has two menisci that are susceptible to tears. To help you understand more about these common knee injuries, this article discusses some of the most critical information you should know about meniscus tears and their treatments.
What is a meniscus tear?
A meniscus tear is an injury to the cartilage that provides cushioning between your shinbone and thighbone called “meniscus.” It usually occurs during intense activities, such as contact sports, when your meniscus is torn by the force and degree of the twisting of your knee. Hence, meniscus tears are more common among athletes, especially with sports that require a lot of twisting, squatting, and changing positions.
Aside from playing sports, excessive use or loading too much stress on your joints can cause you to develop meniscus tears over time. As you age, degenerative conditions, such as osteoarthritis, can also wear the cartilage in your knee joints and result in meniscus tears.
When your meniscus is torn, you will likely feel a pop, and these symptoms will slowly follow with:
- Knee pain that comes and goes which then worsens whenever you put pressure on your joints
- Stiffness
- Inflammation and swelling
- Locking or catching in your knee when you bend it
- Loss of range of motion
When a Meniscus Tear Requires Immediate Treatment
There are different kinds of meniscus tears – some heal even without treatment, while others require medical attention. If only a portion of the outer one-third of your meniscus is torn, your condition can heal on its own or be fixed surgically. This is because this area has an abundant blood supply, and blood cells can revitalise meniscus tissue.
On the other hand, if the tear is located on the inner two-thirds of your meniscus, which has a lack of blood flow, there is a high chance that it cannot be repaired surgically and may already require trimming or surgical removal.
If left untreated, a part of your meniscus may become loose and slip into your knee joint. Untreated meniscus tears can also increase in size and result in complications like arthritis. In essence, it is vital to have yourself checked by a doctor for knee pain to find out the severity of your meniscus tear and the treatment options available for you.
Available Treatments for a Meniscus Tear
The best course of treatment for your torn meniscus will depend on several factors, such as your age, activity level, and the degree, type, and location of the tear. For meniscus tears that can heal independently, the non-surgical treatments available include anti-inflammatory medications and physiotherapy.
On the other hand, surgery is usually the best course of treatment for the more severe types of meniscus tears. It is typically done via arthroscopy. A tiny camera will be inserted into a small incision in your knee to guide the surgeon in fixing or removal of the tear using little devices inserted into another small incision.
After surgery, physical therapy is often required to help strengthen your knee, restore your range of motion, and get you back to your activities. Having adequate rest before and after surgery is also necessary.
Conclusion
Although a meniscus tear can heal on its own, it is necessary to seek the advice of a medical professional or specialist. Ignoring your torn meniscus will most likely only lead to complications and affect the quality of your life in the long run.
To prevent your meniscus tear from getting more serious, do not hesitate to call the help of a pain management specialist in Singapore right away. At Pain SG, we have a diverse set of seasoned and dedicated specialists who can effectively assist you with pain prevention and management. We have everything you need, from pain-relieving products to treatment options to eliminate different conditions like heel pain, knee pain, hip joint pain, bursitis, and sacro-iliac joint pain, as well as other ailments like frozen shoulder, back pain, and cervical headaches. Call us for an appointment or send your queries to: info@physioasia.com.
