Contents:
- Medical Video: Meniscus Injuries | Q&A with Dr. Andrew Cosgarea
- Is that a meniscus tear?
- Characteristics and symptoms of meniscus tears
- Diagnosis and treatment of meniscus tear injury
Medical Video: Meniscus Injuries | Q&A with Dr. Andrew Cosgarea
For you fans of soccer, you must often hear the term meniscus tear. Meniscus tear is an injury that is common in soccer athletes and is included in the 4 injuries most often experienced by footballers.
Is that a meniscus tear?
The meniscus is a network of cartilage in the knee that functions as a cushion and stabilizes the knee joint. The presence of the meniscus makes the two thigh bones and shins do not rub against each other when there is movement in the knee joint. Each joint has 2 meniscus, which is on the edge of the outside and on the inside edge.
Meniscus injury results from a circular motion in the knee joint when the foot is tilted and the knee joint is bent. Sometimes, direct trauma to the knee can also cause a meniscus tear. The older, the meniscus will be weaker and prone to injury.
Characteristics and symptoms of meniscus tears
Symptoms of a meniscus tear consist of 3 degrees. With mild meniscus tear, you will feel minimal pain and swelling of the knee joint which usually heals in 2-3 weeks.
In a moderate meniscus tear, you will feel more localized pain, can be on the outside of the knee or on the inside of the knee. Swelling will get worse in 2-3 days. Knee joints become stiff and movement becomes limited. Symptoms will disappear in 2-3 weeks, but can reappear if your knee is twisted or used too often. If left untreated, pain can arise over the years.
Whereas in severe meniscus injuries, a part of the meniscus can be cut off and move into the joint space causing your knee to emit a "pop!" Sound or your joint becomes locked. That means you can't stretch your knee joint.
Diagnosis and treatment of meniscus tear injury
The doctor will do several physical examinations to see the possibility of a tear in the meniscus, such as McMurray Test and Apley Test. In addition, your doctor will ask for an imaging examination such as an X-ray or an MRI scan to see a picture of your knee joint.
In severe conditions, you may need surgery to correct your meniscus injury, but most of the Robert Meniscus does not require surgery. To speed healing, you can do the following:
- Rest your knees. Reduce activities that require you to walk. To help reduce the burden on the knee, you can use a tool such as crutches.
- Give ice to reduce pain and swelling. Do it for 15-20 minutes every 3-4 hours for 2-3 days or until the pain and swelling disappear.
- Compress using elastic bandages to reduce swelling.
- Position your knees higher by placing a pillow under your heels.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs can be an option to reduce pain and swelling.
- Consult a doctor for physiotherapy.
If the meniscus tear is large enough, so that the knee is unstable and locked, chances are that you will need surgery to improve the structure of the meniscus or remove the annoying fragments of the meniscus.
