Meniscus Tear and Treatments
Tears in the meniscus that do not heal on their own are typically treated through a combination of physiotherapy, medication, and meniscus surgery as part of orthopedic treatments. Meniscus tears usually occur suddenly and are the result of a traumatic injury. The meniscus acts as a cushion, absorbing impact and protecting the cartilage tissue in the knee joint during movement, but this also makes it susceptible to injury.
What is Meniscus?
Yes, that's correct. The meniscus is made up of collagen fibers and is shaped like a "C" that sits between the thigh and calf bones in the knee joint. There are two menisci in each knee: the inner meniscus and the outer meniscus. They connect the femur and tibia bones and serve to protect the cartilage in the knee by absorbing shock and impact during movement. Although softer than cartilage, the meniscus plays a crucial role in maintaining the stability and function of the knee joint.
What is Meniscus Tear, Why Does It Happen?
Bu bir paragraf. Bu metni değiştirmek veyThe meniscus helps to distribute the weight on the knee joint and prevents the cartilage from rubbing against each other. It can be torn or damaged due to excessive stress caused by repetitive heavy physical activities or trauma, such as falls or direct impacts to the knee. Meniscus injuries are common among athletes and certain occupational groups. Additionally, the gradual destruction of collagen due to aging or rheumatic diseases can also lead to meniscal tears.a düzenlemek için tıklayın. Çok kolay.
Meniscus Symptoms
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Knee pain that goes away with rest but increases with movement
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Noise from knees
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Edema in the knee and surrounding tissues
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Restriction of movement in the knees, locking
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Weakness in the knees and legs, difficulty moving
Meniscus Treatment
The treatment of a meniscus tear varies depending on the extent of the tear and the patient's symptoms. Mild tears in younger individuals may heal with rest and support for the collagen, while in some cases, physical therapy combined with medication may be necessary. Severely damaged meniscus tears that do not respond positively to physical therapy are treated through arthroscopic meniscus surgery, also known as closed knee surgery.
What is Arthroscopic Meniscus Surgery and How Is It Done?
The current method in meniscus surgeries is the closed surgical approach, which we call knee arthroscopy. Since the knee cap is not opened in arthroscopic meniscus surgery performed under general or spinal anesthesia, the operation is mild and the recovery process is much easier
The arthroscopic meniscus surgery procedure can be summarized as repairing the tear with the support of endoscopic imaging by entering through minimal incisions on both sides of the knee.
The duration of the operation depends on the condition of the tear and whether there is another problem in the knee joint. Surgery, in which only the meniscus tear is repaired, is completed in as little as 30 minutes and it is possible to leave the hospital in a few hours.
Strengthening the leg muscles with physical therapy and rehabilitation applications after the rest period of meniscus surgery is an important part of the treatment in terms of protecting the knee joint and preventing meniscus tears.