Whatever your age, the meniscus of your knee stands up to a lot in your everyday activities. As a weight bearing cartilage, the meniscus is an amazing shock absorber, which makes it vulnerable to injury whatever your age.
Each knee has two menisci that are located between the thigh bone and shinbone. This C-shaped cartilage stabilizes your knee joint and absorbs the shock and pressure of each step you take.
For this reason, meniscal tears are one of the most common knee injuries.
These tears can occur suddenly or because of degeneration of the cartilage over time.
In younger individuals a meniscus tear is usually due to participation in contact sports like football, hockey, or soccer. A sudden twisting motion at the knee may be all that is required to cause a meniscus tear. For older individuals, a meniscus tear is usually due to age-related wear and tear of the cartilage.
Whatever the cause and whatever your age, be aware of these common signs of a torn meniscus.
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- A catching or locking sensation in the knee
- Decrease in range of motion
Many of these symptoms can occur with other knee injuries; therefore, you should make an appointment to have your knee evaluated for an accurate diagnosis. Left untreated, a torn meniscus can lead to other, more serious conditions such as arthritis.
An accurate diagnosis is needed for an accurate treatment plan. The treatment of a meniscal tear depends on the type, size, and location of the tear, as well as your age and activity level. Dr. Mithoefer will examine your knee, evaluate your symptoms, and consider your past medical history to make an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
If you think you may have a torn meniscus, call Dr. Mithoefer today to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Kai Mithoefer is board certified in both Orthopedic surgery and Orthopedic sports medicine, fellowship trained in Orthopedic Trauma at Harvard and the prestigious Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. Dr. Mithoefer is an internationally recognized specialist for joint preservation, has published more than 100 scientific articles and book chapters and is a frequent speaker at national and international orthopedic meetings.
