Knee Pain
Meniscus Tear
The meniscus, a c-shaped pad of cartilage in the knee, is a commonly injured structure. In younger people, tears usually occur due to a forceful twisting injury. In ageing adults, the meniscus is weaker and tears can result from more minor injuries, even squatting.
There are two menisci between the shinbone (tibia) and thighbone (femur) in the knee joint. They act like shock absorbers in the knee, helping spread out the forces that are transmitted across the joint. They also add stability to the knee joint by converting the surface of the shinbone into a shallow socket, which is more stable than its otherwise flat surface.
Forceful twisting injuries. In younger people under 30 years old, the meniscus is a fairly tough and rubbery structure. Meniscus tears are usually caused by a sport activity. The entire inner rim of the medial meniscus can be torn (bucket handle tear). The meniscus can also have a flap torn from the inner rim.
Wear and tear. The menisci weakens with age, making them prone to degeneration and tearing. Degenerative tears cause the menisci to fray and become torn in many directions. Older people may tear their meniscus from minor injuries, such as from squatting. For this type of degenerative meniscus tear, there is usually no one specific injury which causes it. Rather, such tears are commonly part of knee osteoarthritis in ageing adults.
Pain in inside, outside or back of knee
Swelling, stiffness and tightness
Locking of the knee joint (inability to completely straighten out the knee). This can happen when a fragment of the meniscus tears free and gets caught in the hinge mechanism of the knee.
Diagnosis begins with a history and physical exam. Your doctor will try to determine where the pain is located, whether you've had any locking, and if you have any clicks or pops with knee movement.
X-rays may be used to determine if other injuries are present.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is very good at showing the meniscus. The MRI machine uses magnetic waves rather than X-rays to show the soft tissues of the body. Usually, this test is done to look for injuries, such as tears in the menisci or ligaments of the knee. If there is uncertainty in the diagnosis following the history and physical examination, or if other injuries are suspected, the MRI scan may be suggested.
If the history and physical examination indicate a torn meniscus, arthroscopy may be suggested to confirm the diagnosis and treat the problem. Arthroscopy is an operation that involves inserting a miniature fiber-optic TV camera into the knee joint, allowing the orthopedic surgeon to look at the structures inside the joint directly. The arthroscope lets the surgeon see the condition of the articular cartilage, the ligaments, and the menisci.
Using the RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) method: The RICE method involves resting your knee, icing your knee, wearing an elastic bandage around your knee (compression) and elevating your knee while you’re resting. This helps to reduce pain and swelling.
Taking pain relievers: Your healthcare provider may recommend taking pain relievers (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, or NSAIDs) to help reduce pain and swelling in your knee. Acetaminophen can be used as an alternative if you cannot tolerate NSAIDs or are allergic.
Wearing a knee brace: Your provider may have you wear a knee brace that prevents your knee from moving side to side so that your meniscus can heal.
Using crutches: Your provider may have you use crutches to walk so that you can limit the amount of weight you put on your affected knee.
Doing physical therapy: Your provider will most likely have you do physical therapy exercises to improve your strength and range of motion in your knee.
If the knee keeps locking up and can't be straightened out, surgery may be recommended to remove the torn part that is getting caught in the knee joint. But even a less severely torn meniscus may not heal on its own. If symptoms continue after nonsurgical treatment, surgery will probably be suggested to either remove or repair the torn portion of the meniscus.
Surgeons use an arthroscope during surgery for an injured meniscus. Small incisions are made in the knee to allow the insertion of the camera into the joint.
Click on the tabs below to learn more about the different surgical procedures for meniscus tears.
Partial Meniscectomy
The procedure to take out the damaged portion of the meniscus is called a partial meniscectomy. The surgeon makes another small incision. This opening is needed to insert surgical instruments into the knee joint. The instruments are used to remove the torn portion of the meniscus, while the arthroscope is used to see what is happening.
Surgeons would rather not take out the entire meniscus. This is because the meniscus helps absorb shock and adds stability to the knee. Removal of the meniscus increases the risk of future knee arthritis. Only if the entire meniscus is damaged beyond repair is the entire meniscus removed.
Meniscal Repair
Whenever possible, surgeons prefer to repair a torn meniscus, rather than remove even a small piece. Young people who have recently torn their meniscus are generally good candidates for repair. Older patients with degenerative tears are not.
To repair the torn meniscus, the surgeon inserts the arthroscope and views the torn meniscus. Some surgeons use sutures to sew the torn edges of the meniscus together. Others use special fasteners, called suture anchors, to anchor the torn edges together.
Meniscal Transplantation
Surgeons are beginning to experiment with different ways to replace a damaged meniscus. One way is by transplanting tissue, called an allograft, from another person's body. Further investigation is needed to see how well these patients do over a longer period of time.
Rehabilitation proceeds cautiously after surgery on the meniscus, and treatments will vary depending on whether you had part of the meniscus taken out or your surgeon repaired or replaced the meniscus.
Patients are strongly advised to follow the recommendations about how much weight can be borne while standing or walking. After a partial meniscectomy, your surgeon may instruct you to place a comfortable amount of weight on your operated leg using a walking aid. After a meniscal repair, however, patients may be instructed to keep their knee straight in a locked knee brace and to put only minimal or no weight on their foot when standing or walking for up to six weeks.
Patients usually need only a few therapy visits after meniscectomy. Additional treatments may be scheduled if there are problems with swelling, pain, or weakness. Rehabilitation is slower after a meniscal repair or allograft procedure. At first, expect to see the physical therapist two to three times a week. If your surgery and rehabilitation go as planned, you may only need to do a home program and see your therapist every few weeks over a six-to eight-week period.
How using the HeatPulse
and Thermosleeve can help
The Thermosleeve and HeatPulse are great tools for hot and cold therapy to help you recover from your meniscus tear.
Thermosleeve combines cold with compression for greater effectiveness in relieving pain and inflammation
HeatPulse combines heat and massage to boost blood flow to your knee, encouraging healing and improving range of motion
The Thermosleeve can be used to relieve pain and swelling when meniscus tears are first sustained (within first 72 hours).
Swelling after knee surgery can last for three to six months after surgery. To help reduce inflammation and pain, you can the Thermosleeve three to four times a day for about 10-20 minutes during the first few days after surgery.
After the initial swelling has gone down, you can alternate between the Thermosleeve and the HeatPulse to relax the muscles and ease stiffness.
The Thermosleeve and HeatPulse are great tools for hot and cold therapy to help you recover from your meniscus tear.
Thermosleeve combines cold with compression for greater effectiveness in relieving pain and inflammation
HeatPulse combines heat and massage to boost blood flow to your knee, encouraging healing and improving range of motion
The Thermosleeve can be used to relieve pain and swelling when meniscus tears are first sustained (within first 72 hours).
Swelling after knee surgery can last for three to six months after surgery. To help reduce inflammation and pain, you can the Thermosleeve three to four times a day for about 10-20 minutes during the first few days after surgery.
After the initial swelling has gone down, you can alternate between the Thermosleeve and the HeatPulse to relax the muscles and ease stiffness.
Hear from customers
who have experienced relief
