MENISCAL INJURY

Menisci are semilunar-shaped fibrocartilage located inside the knee joint for reinforcing the knee stability and absorbing shock. However, menisci may wear and tear due to long-term impact or acutely injury during exercise. Pain and difficulty in movement will happen if the torn fragment of the meniscus is dislocated and stuck inside the knee joint.

There are two types of meniscus injury: trauma or degenerative.

Traumatic injury mainly occurs in adolescents during sports activities such as twisting and squatting, with impacted by an external force. ACL injury may be accompanied at the same time.

Degenerative meniscal injury usually occurs in the elderly with osteoarthritis changes. The degenerative meniscus is often torn into different parts. After an injury, the pain will localize in the inner or outer side of the knee, affecting mobility. If it is not treated timely, the knee functions will be severely affected.

• Participating in high impacts sports, such as: basketball, football or handball
• Congenital abnormal shape of meniscus
• Incorrect jumping, landing and changing direction movement

There may be a noticeable joint cracking sound during movement. In normal circumstances, the injured knee may not have immediate bruising and swelling, but it may be swollen up after 24-48 hours.  After few weeks, the knee swelling may not be obvious, but tenderness along the joint line and the cracking and locking feeling may persist. “Locking mechanism” implies a come and go locking of the knee joint when walking, which can neither straighten nor bend the knee. A recurrent meniscal injury will lead to chronic knee pain and quadriceps muscle atrophy, which seriously affect knee functions.

A mild meniscal injury can be treated by physiotherapy combined with adequate active rest. Immobilization devices or sports taping to prevent re-injury may be needed.

If the meniscus fragment is stuck inside the joint,  arthroscopic repairs or meniscectomy may be needed depending on the type and severity of the injury. Nevertheless, with or without surgery, patient requires a comprehensive rehabilitation program for knee strengthening and stability training to achieve normal knee functions.

A mild meniscal injury can be treated by physiotherapy combined with adequate active rest.

Immobilization devices or sports taping to prevent re-injury may be needed.

If the meniscus fragment is stuck inside the joint,  arthroscopic repairs or meniscectomy may be needed depending on the type and severity of the injury. Nevertheless, with or without surgery, patient requires a comprehensive rehabilitation program for knee strengthening and stability training to achieve normal knee functions.

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