What is it about ?
The menisci are small cartilaginous discs in the knee joint. They have several roles, the first being that of absorbing shocks, during jumps for example. They also increase the stability of the knee by improving contact between joint surfaces. There are 2 menisci in each knee, one external and one internal.
A meniscus can tear suddenly after a forced rotational movement of the leg. This is called a traumatic tear. This type of injury is relatively common when playing football.
Sometimes there is no apparent trauma and the tear is due to wear and tear, it is degenerative tear. It occurs more frequently in people practicing a sport which places great strain on the knees (running, jumping sports, etc.) but also in the elderly.
Where and how often?
Each year, about 60 to 70 people in 100,000 have a tear in the meniscus. It happens more often to men. Traumatic tears are usually seen around the age of 20 to 30, degenerative tears between the ages of 40 and 60, and more in men.
How to recognize it?
If, after a powerful rotating motion of the knee, you experience sudden pain inside (most often) or outside the knee, it may be a tear in the meniscus. Sometimes the knee can jam or swell. You may also have the feeling that your knee is loose.
How is the diagnosis made?
In most cases, a meniscus tear will be suspected based on your story. The characteristic sign is pain on pressure at the joint space, that is to say at the meeting point between the thigh bone (femur) and the leg bone (tibia). There are several tests that your doctor is familiar with that can more accurately diagnose a meniscal injury.
If the doctor suspects a tear in the meniscus and healing does not occur spontaneously, he will refer you to a specialist for further examinations. An MRI scan can help assess the severity of the tear.
What can you do ?
If your knee hurts, or if your knee becomes blocked or swells, whether or not from a rotating movement, see a doctor. Complaints of a meniscus tear often subside on their own. Complementary examinations are therefore not necessary at the start. But you may have to wait 3 months for your symptoms to go away.
What can your doctor do?
Some meniscus tears heal spontaneously. In mild cases, pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs (eg ibuprofen or naproxen) and exercises to strengthen the muscles in the front of the thigh (quadriceps) are sufficient.
Sometimes it is necessary to remove part of the meniscus or to sew it up. To do this, the general practitioner will refer you to a specialist. This relatively benign intervention, is done by arthroscopy, that is to say that the surgeon will not open your knee but will only make a few small incisions necessary for the passage of his instruments.
Want to know more?
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – CBIP – Belgian Center for Pharmacotherapeutic Information
- Ibuprofen – CBIP – Belgian Center for Pharmacotherapeutic Information
- Naproxen – CBIP – Belgian Center for Pharmacotherapeutic Information
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