It is most likely a meniscus tear, not a cartilage, that is tearing in an athlete’s knee. Contact athletes are most likely to suffer this injury, as it is one of the most common knee injuries.
What causes the meniscus to tear?
Almost all sudden tears of the meniscus are due to sports injuries. When a player squats and twists his knee, or when he is tackled by another player, he can tear the meniscus.
A knee’s cartilage gradually weakens and becomes thinner over time. Elderly people can be affected by degenerative tears in the meniscus as a result. Getting out of a car, for example, can cause a tear in a meniscus because it has weakened with age.
An injury to the meniscus can be diagnosed by a doctor.
First, he or she will ask about your symptoms and any relevant medical history. In addition, he or she will examine your knee to determine whether or not there is tenderness at the joint line. This area contains the meniscus, and tenderness here indicates that the meniscus was torn.
You will usually be given the McMurray Test, in which your doctor bends your knee, straightens it, and rotates it. In the case of a torn meniscus, he will hear a clicking sound during this movement due to the strain placed on it. Every time he performs the movement, a clicking sound will be heard.
A doctor may order an X-ray to ensure your symptoms aren’t caused by osteoarthritis or another type of knee injury. Meniscus tears can be diagnosed through an MRI scan, which shows soft tissues like the meniscus.
What is the treatment for a meniscus tear?
Depending on where the tear occurs, the type of tear and the extent of the tear, the treatment may differ. Meniscus tears in the outer third part of the meniscus, known as the ‘red zone,’ often heal themselves, because the ‘red zone’ is well-blooded. This zone is prone to tears, including longitudinal tears, which are commonly repaired through surgery.
In contrast, only two thirds of the inner half of the meniscus have blood supply. There is a lack of nutrients in this ‘white zone’, so tears in this area cannot heal. A complex tear in thin, worn cartilage may occur here. It is often surgically removed because it cannot heal.
In addition to your physical state, level of activity, age, and any other injuries you may have sustained, the kind of tear you have will determine the Meniskusriss Behandlung plan your doctor develops for you.
Treatment without surgery
Tears that are small and located in the outer third of the meniscus may heal themselves. A surgical intervention may not be necessary in stable knees and with subsiding symptoms.
Ibuprofen, aspirin, and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can also be used to reduce pain and swelling.
Treatment by Surgery
If non-surgical treatment fails to alleviate your symptoms, arthroscopic surgery may be recommended.
Your knee may be immobilized with a knee brace or cast after surgery in order to help you recover. In order to avoid the risk of a recurrent meniscus tear, you will need crutches for about a month following a meniscus repair.
You will need to exercise the knee after it has started to heal satisfactorily so that it becomes more flexible and stronger. We will focus on increasing mobility at first, and then recommend strengthening exercises as time progresses. If your doctor recommends physical therapy, you can usually exercise at home to rehabilitate yourself. Meniscus reconstructions usually require three to four months to fully recover after a meniscectomy, but they usually take about three weeks following a meniscectomy.
