The torn meniscus happens when trauma appears as the knee joint is hyper-flexed or forcefully twisted. \your knee is the largest of all the body’s joints so you can easily understand how a torn meniscus can turn into a huge disability. If you are faced with a torn meniscus, the most common symptoms are knee pain, popping, the knee giving away and swelling.
Torn Meniscus – What Is It?
We can say that a torn meniscus is basically damage that appears in the knee’s cartilage right on top of the tibia. We have tears that appear. Physical examination can identify if the lateral or the medial meniscus is damaged but a proper diagnostic procedure like a knee arthroscopy or an MRI is usually necessary to see exactly what damage is present. Determining the exact position of the tear is necessary in order to decide what treatment option would work best.
Treatment For Torn Meniscus
Treatment largely depends on location, underlying knee joint disease and severity. In most cases it is possible to treat the condition without surgery by using physical therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs. However, people that have physically demanding jobs or athletes will want to go through immediate surgery so that recovery period can be diminished. It is important to discuss treatment options with the doctor so that something appropriate for the patient is chosen.
Injury Caused Torn Meniscus
If the torn meniscus was caused by an acute injury, the first thing that is done is using ice compressions, elevation and rest. It is effective in relieving the inflammation that automatically appears. Drugs like naproxen or ibuprofen are also prescribed. Crutches can be used and are recommended in order to limit a patient’s weight bearing.
Braces are normally not used at the initial recovery phase as they will hold the knee in a full extension. The brace would worsen pain as it would decrease the knee joint space that can accommodate swelling or fluid. In most situations the patients will go for a nonsurgical treatment. Rehabilitation exercising starts after injury symptoms are diminished.
In the event that the conservative therapy will fail, knee arthroscopy is usually performed by an orthopedic surgeon in order to repair torn cartilage or assist it to recover. Alternatively, microfracture surgery is utilized so that new cartilage growth is stimulated.
Torn Meniscus Caused By Degenerative Joint Disease
This usually appears with older patients as cartilage wears out. The treatment options are almost always lengthy. An option to maintain motion range and protect joints is muscle strengthening and regular exercise. Anti-inflammatory drugs are considered in order to decrease pain and swelling that appears.
In some situations the treatment also involves injections with cortisone. The symptom relief that is offered is usually going to last for a few months. Dietary supplementation with glucosamine and chondroitin are recommended by the doctors whenever necessary.
In the event that the damage is too strong, joint replacement surgery may be performed. However, this is the last option that is considered.