+91 9460504008 smartsortho@gmail.com

Torn Meniscus

The meniscus is a piece of cartilage that acts as a shock absorber. This is a C-shaped part, present between the thigh and the lower leg bone. There are two menisci present in every knee to act as a cushion in any kind of leg activity. Its main function is to distribute the body's weight evenly on all sides.

  • 13+

    Years Experienced

  • 10K+

    Joint Replacement

  • 7K+

    Hip Arthroscopy

Book An Appointment
Overview

What is a Torn Meniscus?

A torn meniscus is an injury to the cartilage in your knee, named the meniscus. A tear can happen due to sudden twisting, heavy lifting, or sports activities. Also, it gets weakened after a certain age in the human body. Some of the main symptoms of a torn meniscus are pain, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty in moving the knee.

Types of Meniscus Tear

There are mainly two types of Miniscus damage in the human knee:

  • Medial meniscus: The damaged cartilage on the inside of the knee is called the torn medial meniscus.
  • Lateral meniscus: The damaged cartilage on the outer side of the knee is called the torn lateral meniscus.

Symptoms of Torn Meniscus

To identify the problem of a torn meniscus, it is important to track the following symptoms carefully:

  • Pain, especially when twisting and turning the knee.
  • Swelling or stiffness in the knee.
  • A popping or clicking sensation.
  • Difficulty in straightening the knee.
  • Locked or stuck knee.
  • Unstable knee.

Causes of Torn Meniscus

Here are some common causes of a torn meniscus of the knee:

  • Sudden twisting or rotating of the knee during physical activities.
  • Aggressive pivoting, stopping, or turning movements.
  • Kneeling or deep squatting.
  • Lifting heavy objects improperly.
  • Regressive changes in the knee cartilage, especially in older adults.
  • Minor or no trauma in older adults due to weakened cartilage.

How to Diagnose a Torn Meniscus of the Knee?

Diagnosis of a torn meniscus is not very complex to perform. Here are some very popular methods that doctor uses to diagnose a torn meniscus:

1 Physical Examination

Firstly, the doctor will try to match the symptoms and joint history. Then, he will press along the joint line where the Meniscus is located. In case of any tenderness, the Meniscus may have torn out. However, it can sometimes result from other knee issues, such as arthritis or ligament problems.

2McMurry Test

A common test for meniscus tears is the McMurray test. Under this test, the doctor bends, straightens, and rotates your knee. If you have a tear, this movement may cause pain, clicking, or a clunky feeling within your knee joint.

3Thessaly Test

This test includes standing of the patient standing on one knee and moving their leg in multiple directions. It is a preliminary test performed by the orthopedic to check the presence of any torn or damaged knee parts, including a torn meniscus.

4Imaging Test

The following two tests help to detect Ma eniscus tear in the human body:

  • MRI: Best test for spotting meniscus tears since it shows soft tissues clearly (like cartilage, tendons, and ligaments).
  • CT arthrogram or ultrasound: This test is used by the doctors when an MRI is not possible.

Prevention Measures for Torn Meniscus

The following measures for torn meniscus care will help in preventing a torn meniscus situation:

  • Always warm up before intense exercise.
  • Rest between workouts to avoid muscle risk due to fatigue.
  • Get a good fit of shoes that offer better support.
  • Make slow changes in your workout and avoid sudden increases in intensity.
  • Work on strengthening of legs, especially the thighs.

Treatment Techniques

Treatment of a torn meniscus is performed by two methods: Non-surgical and surgical. Here is what each of them includes:

1 Non-Surgical Treatment

In case of locking of the knee, most people start with simple and gentle treatments before considering surgery. Even in the case of a torn meniscus, these non-surgical methods can be very effective. It includes:

  • RICE Approach: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation is a nice way to ease pain and swelling.
  • Pain Relief Pills: Sometimes, having anti-inflammatory pills is also a good option to relieve pain.
  • Physical Therapy: Physiotherapy and other exercises may be a good option that helps in healing a torn meniscus.
  • Injections: Sometimes, a doctor may use a small corticosteroid shot to relieve pain quickly.

2 Surgical Treatment

There are mainly three surgical options available for treating a torn meniscus in India:

Surgical Option What It Involves Torn Meniscus Healing Time
Partial Meniscectomy The surgeon trims and removes the torn part of the meniscus using small incisions. To see inside the leg, a camera is used. Torn meniscus recovery time is between 6 to 8 weeks.
Meniscus Repair The torn edges of the meniscus are stitched back together so it heals naturally over time. Approximately 3 to 6 months.
Meniscus Transplant A severely damaged or missing meniscus is replaced with a matching meniscus (allograft). It takes about 6 to 9 months.

Frequently asked questions

A small tear in the meniscus can heal with rest and gentle activity. It usually takes about 6 to 8 weeks to get better without surgery. It depends on how bad the tear is and your overall health.

You can consider the RICE technique, which includes:
  • Rest and avoid stress on your knee.
  • Ice for 10–15 minutes several times a day.
  • Compression with a bandage to reduce swelling.
  • Elevation by raising your leg above heart level.

Your doctor can also suggest medicines and exercises to make the recovery faster.

For some surgical treatments is between 4 to 6 weeks. And for some complex surgery procedures, it is 4 to 9 months.

The lateral meniscus is on the outside of your knee. Small tears can heal with rest and simple care. Bigger tears may need surgery. Treatment and healing time are similar to other meniscus tears.

Yes, the healing of torn meniscus of the knee is possible without surgery in case of very small tears. It can be cured without any surgery.

Some of the main features of a torn meniscus are as follows:
  • Pain, especially when twisting and turning the knee.
  • Swelling or stiffness in the knee.
  • A popping or clicking sensation.
  • Difficulty in straightening the knee.
  • Locked or stuck knee.
  • Unstable knee.

Book An Appointment

Contact us to any help

  • Newsletter

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Cum, a.