There are a number of injuries that can cause extreme pain in the knee, and one of those injuries is a meniscus tear which is among the most common knee injuries. Athletes, particularly those who play contact sports, are at risk for meniscus tears. However, as per doctors, anyone at any age can tear a meniscus.
“When people talk about torn cartilage in the knee, they are usually referring to a torn meniscus. This happens when the cartilage is torn, usually due to a twisting movement in the knee while it has weight on it,” Dr Siddhartha Sharma, senior sports injury specialist and orthoscopic surgeon at Shalby Hospital said.
The meniscus is a c-shaped very small piece of cartilage that cushions the knee joint. These are three; one between the thigh bone and shin bone, one on the outside of the knee and the third one on the inside of the knee.
“Meniscus tears are of two types, partial and total, and both are common conditions in athletes and old-aged people. These injuries mostly occur when the knee is bent and then twists. Players may squat and twist the knee, causing a tear while older people are more likely to have degenerative meniscus tears. Cartilage weakens and wears thin over time and in old age, just an awkward twist when getting up from a chair may be enough to cause a tear,” said Dr Siddhartha.
Treatment of meniscus tears depends on the type of tear, patient’s age, his activity level, and any related injuries. Small tear and on the outer edge of the meniscus may not require surgical repair. The RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) protocol is effective for most of the injuries. If symptoms persist with nonsurgical treatment, the doctor may suggest arthroscopic surgery.
“If the patient is symptomatic, and conservative treatment options like physical therapy are not working, surgery to remove the torn section is recommended. This surgery is called arthroscopic partial meniscectomy and is usually performed on an outpatient basis, typically in one hour or less,” said Dr Siddhartha.
What It Looks Like
The meniscus is a c-shaped very small piece of cartilage that cushions the knee joint. These are three; one between the thigh bone and shin bone, one on the outside of the knee and the third one on the inside of the knee.
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