Meniscus tears are a common knee injury often caused by pivoting movements that put the knee under pressure. Quick changes of direction, such as those required when playing sports, frequently cause this painful injury.
With wedges of cartilage that cushion and stabilize the knee joint bones, meniscus injuries become more likely as you get older, and cartilage tissue starts to wear out naturally. Meniscus tears can be very painful and cause changes to the mechanics of your knee.
The knee specialists at Bahri Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Clinic in Jacksonville can diagnose and treat your torn meniscus, restoring movement and relieving pain. We’ve prepared this month’s blog to give more insight into the nature of this injury, its treatment, and your recovery.
Each knee has a pair of C-shaped cartilage, the lateral (outer) meniscus and the medial (inner) meniscus. As well as acting as a shock absorber for the thigh and shin bones, these menisci form cups to help stabilize knee movement.
Any forceful movement that rotates or twists the knee joint can cause meniscus damage. Kneeling, squatting, and heavy lifting can also cause meniscus tears.
Knee pain is the most obvious symptom; other signs point toward a meniscus tear. These include:
You can often bear weight on an injured knee after a meniscus tear. You might not notice a mild tear at the time of injury. Stiffness and swelling can take a few days to appear, and pain tends to worsen, too.
Minor injuries respond well to self-care using the RICE technique for treating soft tissue injuries. This includes four steps:
Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen can help with both pain and swelling.
If home care fails to improve your symptoms, when pain is severe, or when you’re unable to move because of the knee injury, it’s time to visit us for an examination with one of our orthopedic specialists. We may add physical therapy, joint injections, or braces for immobilization to your treatment plan.
Serious meniscus tears can require surgery. Today, meniscus surgery is usually a minimally invasive procedure that requires little downtime. It’s one of the most commonly performed orthopedic procedures in the country.
Most patients who suffer from meniscus tears recover fully with time and treatment—partner with Bahri Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Clinic to manage a successful recovery process.
Book your appointment with our nearest office using the online scheduling link, or call us today.
