What is the Meniscus?
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The meniscus is one of several C-shaped pieces of cartilage that sit between the two major bones of the knee joint. The menisci serve as the primary shock absorbers of the knee, evenly distributing the body weight along the knee joint. They also prevent the two major knee bones from rubbing against each other. The two most common causes of a meniscus tear are due to traumatic injury (often seen in athletes) and in people with arthritis of the knee, due to the cartilage becoming more brittle. The most common mechanism of a traumatic meniscus tear occurs when the knee joint is bent and the knee is then twisted. Symptoms of a Meniscus Tear:Individuals who experience a meniscus tear usually experience pain and swelling as their primary symptoms. Another common complaint is joint locking, or the inability to completely straighten the joint. This is due to a piece of the torn cartilage physically impinging the joint mechanism of the knee. The most common symptoms of a meniscus tear are:
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Treatment of Meniscus Tears
Treatment depends on several factors including the type of tear, the activity level of the patient, and the response to conservative care. The team at Knee Centers evaluates each client and determines the least invasive treatment options that will provide the best results.
