Meniscus Tear

A meniscus tear is one of the most common causes of knee pain. 

The meniscus is a piece of cartilage that cushions the knee joint between two big bones in your legs. The thigh bone (femur) is above the meniscus and the shin bone (tibia) is below it.

The plural of meniscus is menisci. There are menisci on each side of each knee: the medial meniscus is on the inside and the lateral meniscus is on the outside. These menisci are shaped to conform to the space between the tibia and the femur,

The major role of each meniscus is to provide a soft cushion between the hard surfaces of the bone above and below it. Each meniscus is C-shaped and resembles a wedge when viewed in profile. The meniscus also helps distribute your weight evenly to the bones of your lower leg and feet. It is important for stability and balance when you stand, walk, run or jump.

Causes of a meniscus tear 

A meniscus tear is most likely to happen in two circumstances.

When the meniscus degenerates and becomes brittle due to aging.

When the joint is bent and the knee is twisted, possibly during athletic competition of an accident (like a vehicle collision or a fall).

Damage the meniscus is torn due to bending and twisting, there's also often damage to other parts of the knee, especially the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the medial collateral ligament (MCL). Such injuries have ended the careers of many athletes, especially NFL players who take a hard hit on the outside of the knee while a foot is planted.

Symptoms of a meniscus tear

Joint pain and swelling around the area of the knee are your first clue that a meniscus has been torn. The injured area can also hurt when touched. Maybe the most obvious symptoms is the popping or clicking sound you hear when you try to walk.

The knee may also lock at times, and it could be difficult to straighten your leg at the knee joint.

Your doctor will make a diagnosis through a physical examination and by having several specific tests done. X-rays are most helpful in determining any degeneration of the knee joint, or perhaps the presence of arthritis. X-rays do not show meniscal tears, but they may show other causes of knee pain, such as osteoarthritis.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) helps your doctor actually visualize the meniscus. An MRI provides better images of the soft tissues of your knee joint.

Treatment

Treatment for a meniscus tear varies depending on the type and severity of the tear and your level of activity.

As with many athletic injuries involving sprains and tears, you can follow the R-I-C-E formula: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. This assumes, of course, that the tear is has taken place on the outer edge of the meniscus, and is small. In some cases, the injury repairs itself with time.

Surgery isn't always needed. But if you doctor decides surgery is appropriate, he or she will probably recommend a procedure called a meniscectomy. A meniscal transplant is another option. Your doctor will discuss all possible procedures with you, and together you can decide which is most appropriate for your situation.