A meniscal tear, also known as torn cartilage, is usually the result of a traumatic injury to the knee or in older patients, a degenerative process is involved due to cartilage that has become brittle. No matter which way the meniscal tear happened, it can be quite painful.
Symptoms that can be expected from this type of tear will include: knee pain, swelling in the knee, limited motion of the knee joint, tenderness or a pain sensation if the meniscus is pressed on and any type of popping or a clicking sound originating within the knee.
The first and most important step is to ice the knee immediately. The knee should also be immobilized either by wrapping a magazine around the knee or by wrapping the knee with an ace bandage until the person is able to visit their physician. Do not wrap the knee too tight, so as to allow for the swelling.
The person should go to their family physician who will evaluate the patient's knee for a possible tear of the meniscus. During the physical exam and history, the doctor will have a better idea of what they are dealing with. If the doctor determines that the patient has a probable tear and not another condition like arthritis, he will have an x-ray and possible MRI, if warranted.
The x-ray will show if there is any evidence of arthritic or degenerative changes happening in the knee. An MRI allows for visualizing of the meniscus.
If a tear is seen in the meniscus, surgery is not always the first option. Depending on the severity and several other factors will determine the best treatment option for the meniscal tear. Some of the factors will include: the type and place of the tear, the normal activity level of the patient and how the patient responds to simple treatment plans such as ice and heat applications, immobilizing the knee and physical therapy. Another non-surgical procedure is to use anti-inflammatory drugs, cortisone shots, physical therapy and joint supplements.
If surgery becomes the only option for the meniscal tear, arthroscopic surgery is being used more often now. The use of this procedure requires a small incision where a camera is fed into the joint. One or two other incisions are made to allow for surgical instruments to reach in and remove the torn cartilage. It is an outpatient procedure, requires less anesthetic and the recovery process is reduced tremendously.
The most common surgical treatment is a procedure called a partial meniscectomy in which the doctor trims the torn portion of the meniscus away. This procedure is chosen if the patient is having too many symptoms of discomfort and it inhibits their normal lifestyle.
Another surgery option is a meniscus transplant. This transplantation uses a cadaver donor from which the cartilage was removed and transplanted in the patient. This surgery has become more common now for patients who have previously had their meniscus removed and they begin to develop knee pain from the joints rubbing together without the cartilage there to cushion the joints. If the age of the patient is relatively young and they are very active in sports, the meniscus transplant is the better option over a total knee replacement.
Once a patient has a meniscal tear, their prognosis for further injury or damage is heightened because the joint loses its shock absorbing ability. There is always an increased threat of developing wear and tear arthritis.
The patient can make changes that will help in preventing the risk of developing this arthritis by losing weight if that is an issue, using low-impact exercising to prevent trauma to the joint and abstaining from any sport activities that place a strain on the knee by quick twisting and turning maneuvers.
Doctors have many treatment options at their disposal now to correct meniscal tears. This is a great benefit to the patient's recovery process.
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