A meniscus tear is medically defined as a common knee injury usually in the cartilage forming the knee joint. It is also known as a torn cartilage that can affect severely the mobility of one's knee joint. This injury is usually experienced by athletes who play contact sports such as boxing, football, and basketball to name a few.
Symptoms
There are three levels of meniscus tear, each with its own symptoms as follows:
1. Minor Tear
• You experience a little pain and swelling of your knee joint. This usually lasts about two to three weeks.
2. Moderate Tear
• Pain gradually increases and you experience it either at the side or center of the knee joint. Swelling heightens and limits the mobility of your knee. Although you can still walk, you'll have the feeling of your knee becoming stiff.
• Sharp excruciating pain when twisting the knee or squatting.
3. Severe Tear
• As the torn cartilage moves to the joint area, your knees may be wobbly and it can, at anytime, give way.
• You can hear clicks on your knees and you'll experience locked knee.
• You may experience severe limitations in the mobility of your knee and the ability to walk.
Diagnosis
When you experience the above symptoms especially from moderate to severe, it is necessary to undergo correct diagnosis of the condition. Your health practitioner or physician can recommend clinical testing of your condition and confirm if you are indeed suffering from meniscus tear as well as the severity of the condition.
Some of these clinical tests are as follows:
• X-Rays and MRIs to visualize the tear
• McMurray Test to determine the extent of swelling
• Appley and Steinmann tests to examine swelling and pain
Treatment
Treatment of the meniscus tear is dependent on several factors such as: (1) the extent or severity of the tear; (2) the type of tear; (3) as well as how old you are and how active and mobile you are at your age.
Usually the options for treatment are as follows:
• Non-surgical treatment that includes the application of ice compress for swelling and pain, natural healing process that involves knee rest and elevation, undergoing physical therapy sessions, and the wearing of knee brace until the condition is healed.
• Surgical treatment that is an option for severe conditions. There are several types of surgery to correct the condition, such as: sewing the tear, removing the torn portion of the meniscus, or removing the entire area.
It is always prudent to go for the non-surgical treatment before the surgical treatment. If in the event surgery is the only option, it is still best to have the torn meniscus fixed or repaired rather than having it removed partially or totally.
Always explore your options and do not hesitate to ask your physician to get to know more about the condition. You can also explore the internet for valuable information that will help you find the right treatment to meniscus tear.
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