Meniscus can be defined as a cartilage tear. It occurs in knees and causes serious knee trouble in rare cases. Generally noted to be of two types, it usually occurs on inner and outer side of the knee. The one located on inner side is known as medial and the one located on the outer fringe is the lateral.
Meniscus disk generally functions as shock absorber and helps to minimize the stress caused by another distinct type of cartilage known as articular cartilage.
Why does a meniscus tear occur?
Many people turn up every week at hospitals with knee pain and majority of them suffer from Meniscus tear. The question that strikes one is the reason behind the occurrence of meniscus tear. The reason is simple to understand. Unlike our skin tissues that have the power of regeneration, the meniscal tissue does not have a well developed mechanism of self healing. Therefore, any step taken by a person prone to meniscal injury results in the meniscus getting teared up further.
When does a meniscus tear start hurting?
Those suffering from meniscus tears do not experience much in terms of pain while walking straight. They might experience a bit of light pain but it is usually tolerable. Meniscal pain strikes hard while one is going downstairs. Those with frequent need to get up from a seated position also experience the meniscal pain more frequently.
Types
Degenerative meniscal tears are the most common of meniscal tears reported. In case a person is suffering from degenerative meniscal tear condition, the edges get frayed. This in layman’s language means that the tissue has been destroyed from years of use.
Those suffering from degenerative meniscal tears may suffer once or twice a year from severe pain when the knee hurts painfully but generally the person leads a healthy life. The degenerative tears generally do not require surgery for years.
The need for surgery
The meniscus tear pain generally subsides in a few week of its onset. The question that is generally discussed in medical circle is the need for going in for surgery in case of degenerative meniscal condition. If a person is able to carry on with their daily life activities, the need for going in for surgery is not desirable.
- One can consider using knee braces to remediate the suffering caused by formation of Meniscus tear. In case a surgery is required to remediate the suffering, arthroscopy can be considered.
- Arthroscopy requires the patient to be hospitalized for a while. Inducing a light sleep and injecting of local anesthesia is carried out in case arthroscopy is to be performed. A fiber optic camera is placed inside the knee through a minor incision.
- This helps the surgeon to minutely inspect the tear and decide if it can be repaired or needs to be removed.
- It has been generally observed that many of the meniscal tears do not require surgery and heal naturally with time.
- It is advisable to consult a specialist before considering the option of surgery and in case the same is required, take it sportingly.
