The menisci are two C-shaped pieces of cartilage that sit in your knee between the thigh-bone (femur) and the shin-bone (tibia). This cartilage acts as shock absorbers for your knees; they provide cushioning and also increase the stability of your knees. A meniscal tear occurs when you get a tear in this cartilage.
Meniscal tears can occur either traumatically or with degenerative changes. Traumatic tears often happen with a sudden twist to the knee on a planted foot or by direct contact to the knee. Degenerative meniscal tears generally occur in older people, as the cartilage weakens over time and becomes more prone to tearing.
Common symptoms of meniscal tears are:
-pain in the knee joint
-inflammation and stiffness around the knee
-clicking, catching or locking of the knee
-inability to fully straighten or bend the knee
Physical therapy can help to treat this condition. Treatment may include techniques to reduce the inflammation around the knee, mobilization of the knee joint to increase range of motion, stretches and strengthening exercises for the hip, knee and ankle. If the meniscal tear occurs in an area with good blood supply, there is potential for it to heal on its own. However, if the tear occurs in an area with poor blood supply, there is less potential for healing and an arthroscopic surgical repair may be required.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please visit your doctor and/or physical therapist to determine the diagnosis and proper treatment plan for you.