subject: Meniscus Tear and Torn Knee Cartilage – New Delhi, India [print this page] Meniscus Tear and Torn Knee Cartilage New Delhi, India
Meniscus tear is another common injury that affects the knee joint. The meniscus is 'C' shaped discs, made of tough cartilage called fibrocartilage. They help to improve the fit between the femur (thigh bone) and the tibia (shin bone) and are important for distributing load and absorbing shock at the knee joint.
A meniscus tear is usually the result of either a traumatic incident or degeneration. Traumatic tears are most common in physically active people under the age of 45, while degenerative tears are more common in the over 40's age group.
The meniscus receives very little blood flow. In fact, most of the meniscus receives no blood flow at all, which makes recovery extremely difficult.
Most traumatic meniscus tears are the result of twisting the knee or a sudden impact to the knee. While degenerative tears are associated with the aging process and result from a breakdown in the collagen fibers that make up the meniscus.
Signs & Symptoms of a Meniscus Tear
The most common symptoms associated with a meniscus tear are pain and swelling around the knee joint. Tenderness at the injury site is also common.
Another common problem associated with a meniscus tear is 'joint locking.' Joint locking prevents the knee joint from either fully straightening or fully bending and is the result of a piece of the torn cartilage being lodged within the knee joint.
If surgery is necessary there are two options: a meniscus repair; or a meniscectomy.
Meniscus Repair
In some cases the meniscus can be repaired with surgery. Surgical repairs are only successful when the tear occurs in the vascular region (where there is blood flow) of the meniscus.
Meniscectomy
If the tear is in a part of the meniscus with no blood supply, (remember that most of the meniscus has no blood supply at all) surgical repair won't be affective. In this case a meniscectomy is performed to remove the torn portion of the meniscus and reform the remaining portion.
