The Meniscus

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The Meniscus
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Anatomy

• Lies between the femur and the tibia
• Two menisci lateral and medial
• Avascular- doesnt have blood vessels inside
  (prevents it from healing itself.)

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Symptoms

• Pain, especially when holding the knee straight
• Swelling
• Knee may click or lock
• Knee may feel weak
• Squatting or pivoting will pinch the meniscus
  tear and cause pain

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Before Surgery
After Surgery
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Mechanism of Injury

• Meniscus tears can occur during a rotating
  movement while bearing weight, such as when
  twisting the upper leg while the foot stays in
  one place during sports and other activities.
• Or when getting hit from the side.

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Sideline Management/Acute Care

• ICE
• Immobilize the knee
• Find out the history of the patient

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Diagnosis

• x-ray
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• computed tomography scan (Also called a CT or CAT
  scan.)
• Arthroscopy
• radionuclide bone scan

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Treatment

• Arthroscopic surgery is the only way to treat the
  tear since there are currently no medications,
  braces, or physical therapy treatments to heal
  it.
• Several techniques to perform the surgery.

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Rehabilitation

• focused on both your quadriceps (thigh muscle)
  and hamstrings (muscles behind your knee)
• doctor may prescribe formalized physical therapy,
  with a therapist or trainer.

• stretching, flexion and extension strengthening,
  and stamina building

HEEL SLIDE
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Precautions and Suggestions

• DON'T DO these
• Squat
• Twist your knee
• Walk on uneven terrain.
• DO these
• Try to sleep with your legs out straight at night
  instead of curling up into a ball.

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Post Operative Treatment

• No weight bearing on the joint for at least 3
  weeks after surgery.
• Maximal weight training is not allowed for 2-3
  months.
• Return to running and agility sports is permitted
  after 3-4 months if strength and motion have
  returned and there is no pain in the joint.

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the end