What is Meniscus?
A Meniscus is a piece of cartilage that cushions and stabilizes the Knee joint. The benefit to a patient is it protects the bone from wear and tear. It even enables joint congruency and knee stability.
There are two menisci in each knee where one on the medial side and the second on the lateral side. The medial side is closest to the other knee and the lateral side is closest to the outside of the leg.
What is a Meniscus injury?
In simple words, it is a tear in one of the menisci within the knee as menisci provide vital functions like weight transmission while walking, shock absorption, and more. One of the prevalent injuries that happen mostly to athletes who play sports like football and soccer. You need to consult with the best meniscus surgeon in Delhi when you experience pain and swelling, buckling of the knee, and tenderness in the knee.
All Symptoms of Meniscus injury
Some of the most common symptoms of meniscus injury are:
- Severe pain in both knees
- Swelling and stiffness
- No range of motion in the knee
- Feel weakness in the knee while playing
- Locking of the knee
- Difficulty in knee bend and straightening
Types of Meniscus Tear
- Horizontal or cleavage: This meniscus tear occurs at the age of more than forty and has degeneration of the knee joint. Also, this tear runs parallel to the flat top of the shinbone.
- Longitudinal or vertical: This tear runs parallel to the long axis of the meniscus and also runs perpendicular to the flat top of the shinbone.
- Complex: This tear is a combination of both horizontal and longitudinal.
- Radial: It will run perpendicular to both the top of the shinbone and the long axis of the meniscus.
- Bucket handle: These are the large tears that cause swelling and here the long strip of the torn tissue is separated from the other meniscus. It occurs at the age of thirty-five.
- Flap: This tear is not so common but when they cause symptoms the doctor will remove the flap.
- Parrot-beak: Such radial tears partially detached fragments.
Meniscus Injury Treatment
Nonsurgical treatment
The Nonsurgical treatment includes the following-
- Medications
- Ice
- Weight loss
- Bracing
- Physical therapy
Surgical treatment
- Meniscectomy: In this common surgical procedure, it trims back the torn portion of the meniscus and it is performed on an outpatient basis. The patient can go home on the same day after the surgery. In the starting days, there is a need for physical therapy and regular exercise. Also, a patient may use the crutch for a few days.
- Meniscus repair: It Is generally applicable for younger patients and it is performed for certain patterns of tears. The surgeon will discuss some important info such as success rate and potential complications of meniscus repair. This surgery is performed at the time of concomitant surgical procedures.
- Meniscus transplant: This surgery is performed for those who had their meniscus tear trimmed earlier and still facing issues because of lack of meniscus.
Look no further for the best meniscus surgeon in Gurugram because Dr. Ankit Varshney has valuable experience in helping you to improve mobility and you will return to activities.
