The meniscus is a type of cartilage that is found in the knee joint. There are two menisci in each knee joint – the medial meniscus and the lateral meniscus. The medial meniscus is located on the inner side of the knee joint, while the lateral meniscus is located on the outer side.
Meniscus injuries are relatively common, particularly in athletes who participate in sports that involve a lot of twisting and turning movements.
What is meniscus?
The meniscus is a crescent-shaped disc of cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between the bones in the knee joint. It is made up of two parts: the medial meniscus (inner side of the knee) and the lateral meniscus (outer side of the knee). The meniscus is a fibrocartilage, which means it is made up of both collagen fibres and cartilage cells.
The main function of the meniscus is to protect the knee joint by absorbing impact and distributing weight evenly. The meniscus also stabilizes the knee joint and helps it to move smoothly. Overuse causes the meniscus gets thinner and can become damaged.
What type of injury can occur?
There are different types of meniscus tears, and the treatment for each type can vary. The most common type of meniscus tear is a degenerative tear, which is caused by the wear and tear of ageing. Degenerative tears are usually treated with physical therapy and pain medication. If these treatments don't work, surgery may be an option.
Another type of meniscus tear occurs when the knee is bent and forcefully rotated, normally seen to happen in football or skiing.
What treatments are available?
A meniscus tear is a common knee injury that can occur due to a sudden twisting motion of the knee. Symptoms of a meniscus tear include pain, swelling, and stiffness. If you think you may have a meniscus tear, it's important to see a doctor so that you can receive treatment.
There are a few different options for treating a meniscus tear. Often, rest, ice, and elevation can help to reduce pain and swelling. Physical therapy may also be recommended in order to help strengthen the muscles around the knee and improve range of motion. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the tear.
If you have a meniscus tear, it's important to follow your doctor's treatment plan. With proper treatment, you should be able to reduce pain and swelling and improve range of motion.
Meniscus injuries are a common knee injury, particularly in athletes. The meniscus is a piece of cartilage that cushions the knee joint. Meniscus injuries can be caused by a sudden twisting motion of the knee, repetitive stress on the knee joint, or degeneration of the cartilage. Treatment for a meniscus injury typically includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). In more severe cases, surgery.