Also, a piece of torn meniscus that is moving in and out of place can damage the nearby articular (gliding) surfaces and lead to arthritis. Therefore, people with chronic swelling tend to hold the involved knee in a bent position and develop hamstring tightness and joint contracture. There is more room in the knee for fluid when the knee is slightly bent. Secondary effectsĪ torn meniscus often causes the knee to make extra joint fluid. Sometimes even activities of daily living such as going up and down stairs or getting in and out of cars may produce pain in a knee with a torn meniscus. However, athletic activities may reproduce pain and swelling. Over 4-6 weeks, the pain and swelling may decrease and activities of daily living may become tolerable. Other people find that the torn meniscus prevents them from participating comfortably in their usual daily activities. Unless the torn meniscus has locked the knee, many people with a torn meniscus can walk, stand, sit, and sleep without pain. The pain often is worse during twisting or squatting motions. PainĪ torn meniscus usually produces well-localized pain in the knee. Sometimes the patient can "unlock" the knee by bending and twisting it before trying to straighten it. Sometimes the knee is stuck in midrange for days at a time. SymptomsĪ torn meniscus can also produce catching or locking of the knee. The swelling is not necessarily in the same area as the pain. When the patient recalls a specific injury that led to the pain and swelling, the swelling often does not occur until the day after the injury. The pain is usually either on the inner or outer side of the knee, not around the kneecap. Initial symptoms of a torn meniscus include well-localized pain and swelling in the knee. Not all surgical cases are the same, this is only an example to be used for patient education. Learn more about torn meniscus and view a surgical animation below. Menisci also tear during participation in recreational activities such as skiing, dancing, or racquetball. Some menisci (plural) tear during activities of daily living such as getting in and out of a car or squatting. Even people who do not consider themselves "athletes" can tear a meniscus. Some people think that only athletes can tear a meniscus. Locking implies that the torn part of the meniscus has displaced into a part of the knee where it doesn't belong or fit. A knee is locked when it will neither completely bend or completely straighten because something is caught inside. Immediate medical attentionĪ torn meniscus needs immediate attention when it "locks" the knee. Therefore, about 4/5 of a meniscus has no blood supply and therefore cannot heal if it is torn. The meniscus has blood supply only at its outer attachments. Within the meniscus there are also fibers of collagen that help maintain the shape of the meniscus. The meniscus is made of fibrocartilage, which gives it a rubbery texture. Ligaments hold the bones of the knee together and the patella lies in the quadriceps muscle in front of the knee.īetween the femur and the tibia are two pads, one on the medial (inner) side of the knee and one on the lateral (outer) side of the knee. The knee is made up of the femur (thigh bone), the tibia (leg bone), and the patella (knee cap). The meniscus can tear from either trauma or injury or from degeneration. The meniscus functions to improve the fit between the femur and the tibia, to absorb shock and distribute load in the knee, and to help move lubricating fluid around the knee.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |