What is the meniscus?
The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage in the knee joint that acts as a shock distributor and joint stabiliser. Each knee has two menisci:
- Medial meniscus – located on the inner side of the knee
- Lateral meniscus – located on the outer side of the knee
The menisci help distribute weight and reduce stress on the knee bones during movement. They also play a crucial role in knee stability and joint protection.
Meniscus injuries are common, especially in sports that involve twisting, pivoting, or sudden stops. There are two main categories of meniscus tears: traumatic tears (e.g., sudden knee rotation) and degenerative tears (tears that develop over time with the ageing process).
Establishing a Diagnosis
Meniscus tears can present similarly to other knee injuries. A detailed assessment of the mechanism of injury, signs, and symptoms is required for diagnosis. If a meniscus tear is suspected, an MRI scan is usually taken to accurately confirm the diagnosis.
Common signs and symptoms may include:
● Knee pain, particularly along the joint line
● Knee pain during twisting movements
● Knee pain with increased flexion angle
● Swelling and stiffness
● Clicking, locking, or catching of the knee
● A feeling of instability or giving way
Management of Meniscus Injuries
Meniscus injuries are managed either surgically (with subsequent rehab) or non-surgically. The management approach taken will depend on the type, size, and location of the tear, signs and symptoms, and patient preference. This is a discussion that should take place between the patient, physiotherapist, and surgeon.
Non-Surgical Management:
Non-surgical management of meniscus tears involves load management, activity modification, and rehabilitation exercises. The goal is to limit aggravation of the knee while progressively loading the knee joint to trigger an adaptive response. Exercises are designed to improve range of motion, enhance muscle strength in the leg, hip, and ankle, and improve joint strength and the knee joint’s load tolerance. Over the course of 3–6 months of rehab, you should expect your knee to gradually improve.
If you require guidance for managing your meniscus injury, book an appointment now for a tailored rehabilitation program!
