Medial Meniscus Tears, A Simple Guide To The Condition, Diagnosis, Treatment And Related Conditions

This book describes Medial Meniscus Tears, Diagnosis and Treatment and Related DiseasesMeniscus tears are the medical injuries in the shock-absorbing cartilage (meniscus) of the knee. The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage sited in the knee. There is a medial meniscus and lateral meniscus in each knee. They have a vital role in protecting the cartilage in the knee stability. Menisci are structures composed of fiber cartilage located between the femur and the tibia.
This cartilage is found in certain joints and acts as a buffer between the bones to protect the joint. The meniscus:1. Works like a shock-absorber2. Helps distribute the weight to the cartilage3. Helps to stabilize the knee joint4. Assists in lubricating the knee joint5. Can restricts the ability to flex and extend the kneeThe medial tear meniscus (or internal) is a very frequent disorder that also happens well after a sports injury that are due to daily strenuous movements (squat pivot or twist) or degeneration.
The medial meniscus tears are 5 times more frequent than injuries of the lateral meniscus. The medial meniscus tear is not just a sports injury but can also occur in daily life or professional employment such as kneeling or squatting in construction workers and plumbers). Torn meniscus, especially medial meniscus may be accompanied by articulate cartilage ligament injuries. CausesA medial meniscus tear can happen if the patient:1.
Twists or over-flexes the knee2. Quickly stops moving and change direction while running, landing from a jump, or turning3. Kneels down4. Squats down low and lift something heavy5. Gets hit on the knee, such as during a football tackleAs the patient get older, the medial meniscus ages too, and it can become easier to injure. Tears or ruptures of the medial meniscus are often the effect of a traumatic rotation or in a squat in high flexion.
SymptomsThe pain is located at the knee, between the tibia and femur (termed internal tibio-femoral compartment of the knee), and occur during and after physical activity or squatting. The pain may be intermittent, annoying, or spontaneously without any history of trauma.1. The patient might feel a "pop" when the patient tears a medial meniscus.2. Most people can still walk on their injured knee.3.
Many athletes keep playing with a tear.4. Over 2 to 3 days, the knee will gradually become more stiff and swollenDiagnosis:One main test for meniscus tears is called the McMurray test. The patient lie on the back while the doctor holds the heel of the injured leg with the leg bent. The doctor will then straighten the knee and rotate it. This puts tension on a torn meniscus. Pressure is applied to the knee while the leg is rotated in and out to produce discomfort or pain.
A complaint of pain or a click over the inner part of the joint indicates an inner (medial) meniscus tears. If the patient has a meniscus tear, this movement will cause a painful click. MRI will show if there are medial meniscus tears. TreatmentIf the patient has a meniscus tear, the patient may need:1. Crutches to walk until the swelling and pain get better2. A brace to support and stabilize the knee3.
Physical therapy to help improve joint motion and leg strength4. Surgery to repair or remove the torn meniscusKnee arthroscopy is done if non-operative methods do not work:a. Partial meniscectomyb. Meniscus repairc. Meniscus transplantationTreatment may depend on the age, activity level, and where the tear happensConservative treatment:1. Rest, ice and elevation2. Compression bandaging3. Pain killers such as NSAID to stop pain4.
Muscle relaxants5. Steroid injections for inflammation6. PhysiotherapyTABLE OF CONTENTIntroductionChapter 1 Medial Meniscus T...