Whether you’re a professional athlete or a casual jogger, odds are you’ll experience a meniscus injury at some point in your lifetime. While this may sound scary, it doesn’t have to be. At Carinhill Physiotherapy, we understand how annoying it is to put your life on pause while your injury heals, so we’re here to streamline the process. From helping you identify meniscal tears to providing rehabilitative tips, our comprehensive guide is here to ease any of your physiological worries.
Understanding Meniscal Injuries
In order to understand how meniscal injuries happen, it’s important to know a little about the anatomy of a knee. A meniscus is a crescent-shaped piece of cartilage that acts to distribute force evenly through the knee. In simple terms – it’s a shock-absorbent cushion. The meniscus is the reason we can play basketball or go for a run without our bones grinding and wearing themselves down. Suffice it to say, it serves a pretty important role for everyone but is especially crucial for athletes.
There are two main ways meniscus tears are caused. The first is due to acute trauma. This can happen from any sort of physical activity but is most commonly seen in cricket where a bowler makes their landing stride and twists, putting a severe amount of pressure on their knee.
The second type of meniscal tear happens as a result of everyday wear and tear. Some people assume they need a definitive cause for their knee pain, and because they aren’t particularly active or don’t remember twisting something they dismiss their ache.
Unfortunately, this only makes it worse. People can trigger a tear simply by standing up the wrong way so if you have any knee pain it’s worth going over the symptoms and considering whether a meniscus tear may be a possibility.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Here’s a list of the most common symptoms associated with meniscus tears:
- Increased difficulty when fully extending or bending the knee
- Pain that’s most prominent when twisting or rotating the knee
- A locked feeling when trying to move the knee
- Swelling around the knee
- A popping sensation at the time of injury
If this sounds like you, you could have a meniscal tear. However, before taking rehabilitative steps it’s important to consult with a professional.
That’s where the team at Cairnhill Physiotherapy comes in. With extensive experience identifying injuries, we’ll provide you with an official diagnosis and a clear treatment plan. While it may seem tempting to self-diagnose, many of these symptoms could apply to multiple injuries. Our knowledgeable physios have seen hundreds of meniscal injuries and can safely point you towards the right solution, saving you a whole lot of potential risk and pain.
Treatment Options
Non-Surgical Treatments
The first question people have when they’re injured is ‘Will this require surgery?’ and the good news is, that in most cases meniscal tears can be fixed with a little rehabilitation.
The most common treatment for minor tears is the ‘RICE’ protocol, which many athletes are more than familiar with. These steps are beneficial to most injuries and consist of resting, putting ice on the affected area, wearing a compression badge and elevating your leg.
Less severe tears will also benefit from rehabilitation exercises. Our physios will create a customised plan consisting of soft tissue work, joint mobilisation, and an exercise programme. While you may feel tempted to attempt your own exercises, we recommend waiting for a professional’s recommendation as timing is crucial. Taking on too much weight too quickly can have painful consequences.
Surgery
If your tear is severe or doesn’t get better with rehabilitation, arthroscopic surgery may be required. Fortunately, this is one of the most commonly performed surgeries with very high success rates. Cases which often require surgery are those where a patient suffers mechanical locking and cannot bend or straighten their leg or when the meniscal tear happens in association with another injury. If you’re still wondering whether your meniscus tear might require surgery, feel free to check out our meniscal surgery article.
Prevention Strategies
If you’re fortunate enough to have never experienced a meniscal knee injury or are dreading the thought of getting another one, we’ve got a few helpful prevention tips:
- While it may sound simple, remember to warm up before doing any physical activity. We recommend dynamic stretching where you engage in slow controlled movements to engage your muscles through their full range of motion.
- Strengthen your leg muscles. Keeping your leg muscles strong takes the pressure off your joints, decreasing the amount of weight absorbed by your meniscus.
- Don’t ignore knee pain. Your body will often give you signs and you shouldn’t ignore them. Many athletes push ahead even when they’re in pain and it’s this kind of behaviour that leads to more severe meniscal tears.
Our Services
Established in 1973, we’ve spent decades diagnosing and treating meniscal injuries. Our range of qualified physiotherapists provides plans, massages and specialised sports therapy treatments, while our state-of-the-art facilities are fully equipped to meet all your rehabilitative needs. So, whether you’re a seasoned athlete or simply navigating the challenges of daily life, the Carinhill physio team is only one click away and here to support you on your wellness journey.