Meniscus tears

Alternative names:

injury - knee - meniscus; knee injury - meniscus; tear - meniscus

Treatment:

The goal of treatment is to minimize the symptoms and protect the joint from further injury while it heals.

Full weight bearing is discouraged (the person may need to use crutches). A knee immobilizer is often applied to prevent further injury to the joint. Ice is applied to reduce swelling, and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are given to reduce swelling and pain. Physical activity is allowed as tolerated. Physical therapy should be involved to help regain joint and leg strength. If the injury is acute, and/or you have a high activity level, knee arthroscopy (surgery) may be necessary. Age has an effect on treatment; younger patients are more likely to have problems without surgery.

Expectations (prognosis):

When tissue is damaged, the body begins a healing process almost immediately by moving various cells and elements to the area to rebuild, or replace the injured tissue. Certain types of tissue in the body such as ligaments and cartilage have little blood supply (vascularization) and subsequently, they take longer to heal than comparable injuries to other tissues that are more highly vascularized (such as skin). This means that the meniscal tear injury could take from weeks, months, or years to completely heal.

Complications:

• weakness of the joint, making it more susceptible to reinjury
• chronic pain

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if symptoms of meniscus tears occur after an injury to the knee.

Call your health care provider if you are being treated for a meniscus tear and you notice increased instability in your knee, if pain or swelling return after they initially subsided, or if your injury does not appear to be resolving with time.

Also call if you reinjure your knee.