Knee Cartilage Injuries and Meniscal Tears

An increase in sporting related injuries to the knee has resulted in rapid technological advances in the management of knee ligament and meniscal injuries, resulting in an earlier return to functionality and rehabilitation.

The meniscus acts as a shock absorber, and allows the bones to move smoothly over one another. Meniscal pain worsens on twisting/turning on the affected joint and is often painful when squatting or on deep knee bends.

Meniscal cartilage injuries

The knee is commonly injured in sports . You may tear a meniscus with a forceful knee movement whilst you are weight bearing on the same leg.  For example a tennis player who twists to hit a ball hard, but with the foot remaining in the same position. The meniscus may tear fully or partially.

Meniscal tears may also occur without a sudden severe injury. In some cases a tear develops due to repeated small injuries to the cartilage or to wear and tear of the meniscal cartilage in older people. In severe injuries, other parts of the knee may also be damaged in addition to a meniscal tear. 

The meniscus does not have a good blood supply and therefore it does not heal very well.The outer edge of each meniscus has some blood vessels, the area in the centre has no direct blood supply. This means that although some small outer tears may heal in time, larger tears, or a tear in the middle, tend not to heal. 

What are the symptoms of a meniscal tear?

The symptoms of a meniscal injury depend on the type and position of the meniscal tear.Some people may have a tear without any symptoms.

• The pain is often worse when you straighten the leg. If the pain is mild, you may be able to continue to walk. You may have severe pain if a torn fragment of meniscus catches between the tibia and femur. 
• The knee often swells within a day or two of the injury. Many people notice that their knee is slightly swollen for several months if the tear is due to degeneration.
• You may be unable to straighten the knee fully or your knee may lock from time to time, if the torn fragment interferes with normal knee movement. Some people notice a clicking or catching feeling when they walk. A locked knee means that it gets stuck when you bend it and you can’t straighten it without moving the leg with your hands.

What is the treatment for a meniscal tear?

• Protect from further injury.
• Rest (crutches for the initial 24-48 hours).
• Ice (apply ice (wrapped in a towel, for example) to the injured area for 20 minutes of each waking hour during the first 48 hours after the injury).
• Compression (with a bandage, and use a knee brace or splint if necessary).
• Elevation (above the level of the heart).
  
  
• Some may heal by themselves in time, usually over about six weeks. Some tears which do not heal do not cause long-term symptoms once the initial pain and swelling subside, or cause only intermittent or mild symptoms . 

       You may require physiotherapy which can offer supports and exercise.

Surgery

If the tear causes persistent troublesome symptoms then surgery may be advised. Most operations are done by arthroscopy. The types of operations which may be considered include the following:

• The torn meniscus may be able to be repaired and stitched back into place. However, in some cases this is not possible. It may have to be removed.
• In some cases where repair is not possible, a small portion of the meniscus may be trimmed or cut out to even up the surface.
• Meniscal transplants are possible. The missing meniscal cartilage is replaced with donor tissue, which is screened and sterilised much in the same way as for other donor tissues.
• There is an operation in which collagen meniscal implants are inserted. The implants are made from a natural substance and allow your cells to grow into it so that the missing meniscal tissue regrows.

Arthroscopy

This is a procedure to look inside a joint by using an arthroscope. An arthroscope is like a thin telescope with a light source. It is used to light up and magnify the structures inside a joint. Two or three small (less than 1 cm) cuts are made at the front of the knee. The knee joint is filled up with fluid and the arthroscope is introduced into the knee. Probes and specially designed tiny tools and instruments can then be introduced into the knee through the other small cuts. These instruments are used to cut, trim and take samples (biopsies) inside the joint. Arthroscopy can be used to diagnose and also to treat meniscal tears.

Following surgery, you will have physiotherapy to keep the knee joint active  and to strengthen up the surrounding muscles to give support and strength to the knee.

For more information about Knee Cartilage Injuries and Meniscal Tears, or to have an assessment, or some treatment contact us by filling out the form below, emailing or calling us.