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Meniscus
Geisinger Sports Medicine - Get Back in the Game
Mechanism of Injury
The meniscus is an area of the knee comprised of fibrocartilage, an important element that assists the knee with stabilization and shock absorption. The medial meniscus, located on the inside of the knee works in conjunction with the lateral meniscus, located on the outside of the knee, to allow the knee to perform a variety of activities with protection.
Injury to the meniscus in the form of a tear is common in sports where jumping, squatting and twisting are used, as in basketball or tennis. Running is a sport that is very hard on all parts of the knee including the meniscus. We also see instances where the fibrocartilage suffers damage after sudden and heavy impact, as in football or wrestling. Often times a player suffering from a torn ACLwill have an accompanying meniscal injury. We also see meniscus injuries in older athletes who have degeneration due to arthritis.
Athletes suffering from meniscus injuries may experience:
- Joint pain
- Localized pain
- Instability
- Locking of the knee
- Sensitivity
- Limited knee movement
- Swelling around the knee
- Knee stiffness
Diagnosis & Testing
A sports medicine physician can diagnose a torn meniscus based on the symptoms, patient history and a physical exam. An MRI test may be ordered for a three dimensional look at the knee. Sometimes it is necessary to do an arthroscopic evaluation, which entails viewing the inside of the knee using a tiny camera in a short outpatient procedure.
Treatment
Resting the injured knee is important for recovery. The RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) method is helpful to remember in a first aid situation. Physical therapy programs are the most common treatments for meniscus tears.
Surgical Management
Often only rest and physical therapy are sufficient for healing after a meniscus tear. If pain and other symptoms persist, or if the injury is recurring, surgery may be the best option. A surgical procedure called an arthroscopic partial medial meniscectomy, or removal of the medial meniscus, may be needed for severe tears, or if the tear is in a certain location. Or, a meniscus repair where the surgeon uses sutures to connect the torn edges may be performed. Surgery as a treatment option is more common in younger patients.
Rehabilitation
Patients involved in physical therapy following a meniscus tear and/or surgery will need to follow the therapists program closely to get optimum results. Generally, following a meniscus repair procedure, patients are restricted from putting weight on the affected knee for 3 weeks or more. Then, patients are able to gradually add weight to work up to full weight bearing capability. Eventually, weight training and a return to normal activities will be reached. Most patients are not able to return to running and other rigorous exercises for 3 – 4 months.
At Geisinger Sports Medicine, we help athletes with meniscus injuries recover with the best techniques modern medicine has to offer. If you or your child sustains a meniscus injury, contact us today for an appointment at our state-of-the-art facility.
Geisinger Sports Medicine Facility
1-866-414-4988
Orthopaedic Services-Woodbine Lane
Corner of Woodbine Lane & Route 11
Danville, PA 17822 MC 52-12
Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center
1-800-921-1467
1000 East Mountain Blvd.
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
Geisinger Medical Center
1-800-275-6401
100 N. Academy Avenue
Danville, PA 17822