Meniscal Tear
The meniscus consists of 2 pieces of cartilage separating your thighbone and shinbone within the knee joint. They are important for shock absorption, joint lubrication and joint stability. Meniscal tears are either traumatic or degenerative. A traumatic tear occurs when an abnormal load is placed on a healthy meniscus and a degenerative tear occurs when the meniscus is too weak to withstand a normal load.
Injuries commonly occur during twisting movements. Traumatic tears are most common during sporting activities, for example football, running, tennis and rugby. Degenerative tears are most common in the elderly population. The severity and management of the injury depends on the type tear. The most common types of tear are: bucket-handle, longitudinal, horizontal and radial.
Injuries commonly occur during twisting movements. Traumatic tears are most common during sporting activities, for example football, running, tennis and rugby. Degenerative tears are most common in the elderly population. The severity and management of the injury depends on the type tear. The most common types of tear are: bucket-handle, longitudinal, horizontal and radial.
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1. Pain immediately after injury2. There may be an audible pop or crack at the time of injury
3. Swelling – usually occurs immediately after injury
4. Catching or locking of your knee during movements
5. Feeling of instability or “giving way”
6. Restricted knee range of motion
Treatments
Depending on the type and severity of tear, treatment options include surgery, physiotherapy or a combination of both. Conservative physiotherapy management initially focuses on reducing acute inflammation and restoring range of motion. Following this, treatment is directed at improving the stability of the knee joint through balance and strengthening exercise for the knee and hips [1]. If the goal is return to sport then advanced sports specific exercises are incorporated into the treatment plan [3]. Manual therapy in the form of massage and joint mobilisations can be used, where appropriate, to reduce soft tissue tension and joint tension [2].References
1. Swart, N., van Oudenaarde, K., Reijnierse, M., Nelissen, R., Verhaar, J., Bierma-Zeinstra, S. and Luijsterburg, P. (2016). Effectiveness of exercise therapy for meniscal lesions in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 19(12), pp.990-998.2. Feehan, J., Macfarlane, C. and Vaughan, B. (2017). Conservative management of a traumatic meniscal injury utilising osteopathy and exercise rehabilitation: A case report. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 33, pp.27-31.
3. Kozlowski, E., Barcia, A. and Tokish, J. (2012). Meniscus Repair. Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy Review, 20(2), pp.121-126.
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