Meniscal Cartilage Tears

Meniscal cartilage tear is among the most common knee injuries, often happening during activities requiring forceful twisting or rotating of the knee (full weight bearing). The knee is composed of 2 C-shaped cartilage pieces called menisci acting as cushions between the thighbone and shinbone. A meniscus tear typically causes swelling, pain, and stiffness and can cause a feeling of the knee locking or make it difficult to fully extend the knee.

Symptoms

Common symptoms associated with meniscal cartilage tears include:

• A cracking sensation
• Swelling or stiffness
• Pain during rotation or twisting of the knee
• Difficulty straightening the knee fully
• A sensation of the knee locking when trying to move
• The feeling of giving way or instability

Causes

Meniscal cartilage tears can result from:

• Aggressive pivoting, sudden stops, or sharp turns
• Forcefully rotating or twisting the knee
• Kneeling, deep squatting, or carrying heavy objects
• Degenerative alterations in the knee, mainly in older adults, can result in tears even with slight or no trauma

Risk Factors

Factors likely to increase the risk of a meniscal cartilage tear include:

• Activities involving knee twisting or pivoting
• Contact sports such as football or those that require rapid direction changes like tennis or basketball
• Age-related deterioration of the knee joint
• Excess weight that puts more stress on the knee

Diagnosis

At The Joint Pain Clinic, we diagnose meniscal cartilage tears by performing a detailed physical exam to assess potential meniscal tears and evaluate the knee for pain, swelling, or limited movement. The patient’s history and symptoms are also evaluated during diagnosis.

However, it is often essential to confirm the diagnosis with an MRI scan to rule out other abnormalities. While both clinical diagnoses and MRI scans are highly useful, neither is 100% accurate, and some meniscal tears are only detected during arthroscopic examination. If degenerative changes are suspected based on the history, a plain X-ray is conducted.

Treatment Options

• Resting and activity modification: Putting the knee to rest and avoiding activities that worsen pain can help ease inflammation and promote recovery. Slow reintroduction of movement is advisable to prevent stiffness and improve flexibility.
• Cortisone injections: These lessen inflammation and pain, making it a quick symptom relief option. Ultrasound guidance can be used to ensure accurate delivery of the drug directly to the affected region, maximizing its effectiveness.
• Hyaluronic acid injections: These injections help improve joint lubrication in order to reduce friction and enhance movement. The use of ultrasound guidance ensures the injection is accurately administered. This makes it a safe and targeted option.

Prevention

While it may not be possible to fully prevent meniscal cartilage tears because of their accidental nature, the following measures might lower the risk:

• Regular exercise to strengthen thigh muscles.
• Warming up before workouts.
• Taking enough rest between workouts to avoid fatigue-related injuries.
• Wearing supportive, well-fitting footwear.
• Maintaining flexibility.
• Progressively increasing workout intensity.