What are Meniscus Injuries?

What is a meniscus tear?

The meniscus is the C-shape cartilage in between the bones of the upper (femur) and lower (tibia) leg. The knee is comprised of an inner and outer meniscus that provides both cushion and projection against wear and tear of these bones. A torn meniscus is one of the most common knee injuries.

What are risk factors for a meniscus tear?

Most acute meniscus injuries occur during sports including basketball, volleyball and soccer that require twisting, pivoting and changing directions. However injuries can also occur from a simple movement such as a turn and twist when getting up from a chair. In older people the meniscus can become worn resulting in degenerative meniscus tears.

What are the symptoms?

• Pain when standing or squatting
• Swelling, stiffness and decreased range of motion
• Locking or catching sensation when bending or straightening the knee
• A "giving away" or "buckling" sensation

What are the treatment options?

• RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression & Elevation) can be combined with light massage therapy (lymph drainage) to reduce the swelling of the affected area
• Exercise rehabilitation that focuses on regaining pre-injury strength, range of motion and stability.
• Over-the-counter pain medications for anti-inflammatories during the acute phase
• Surgical treatment in case of severe injury

Prevention strategies

It is important to include an exercise protocol that focuses on regaining strength and flexibility. Soft tissue work using a foam roller can be helpful to restore muscular imbalances in the area and is most effective when executed before the stretching routine. As for all exercise protocols it is important to conduct the exercises on a regular basis for a minimum of 6-8 weeks. Discuss these options with your health care professional to determine which would be the best treatment approach for you.