Lateral Cartilage Tear
What is the lateral meniscus?
Each knee joint has two crescent-shaped cartilage menisci. These lie on the medial (inner) and lateral (outer) edges of the upper surface of the tibia (shin) bone, also known as the tibial plateau. They are essential components, acting as shock absorbers for the knee as well as allowing for the proper interaction and weight distribution between the tibia and the femur (thigh bone). As a result, injuries to either meniscus can lead to critical impairment of the knee itself.
The lateral meniscus is less prone to injury than the medial meniscus due to having less adhesive attachments to other structures in the area. Nevertheless injuries may be sustained during twisting movements, direct impact to the knee joint or due to degeneration of the cartilage in the older population.
Signs and Symptoms of lateral cartilage injury
Tenderness or pain around the lateral surface of the knee joint
Swelling- usually witin 24-48 hours of injury
Pain, particularly when bending the knee
Pain when rotating and pressing down on the knee in prone position (see assessment).
Audible popping, cracking or clicking sounds
Positive 'McMurrays' test
What can the athlete do?
If there is swelling you should apply RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) to the injured knee.
Gentle exercises to maintain quadriceps strength, although care should be taken not to aggravate the symptoms.
Wear a heat retainer or support.
Take a glucosamine / joint healing supplement.
See a sports injury specialist or doctor
Types of meniscal injuries
Degenerative Changes: This may lead to edges of the menisci becoming frayed and jagged
Longitudical Tears: This is a tear that occurs along the length of the meniscus
Bucket- Handle Tears: This is an exaggerated form of a longitudical tear where a portion of the meniscus becomes detached from the tibia forming a flap that looks like a bucket handle
Treatment for Lateral Cartilage Tear
The first aim of the sports injury specialist will be to correctly diagnose the injury. He/she may do this by utilizing specific tests for meniscal tears such as a 'McMurrays' test. Once diagnised the practitioner may consider two different modes of treatment depending on the extent of the injury.
1. Conservative Treatment
This may be indicated in the case of a small tear or a degenerative meniscus and may involve:
Ice, compression and recommendation of NSAIDs e.g. Ibuprofen.
Try wearing a knee support or brace if the knee feels unstable.
Electrotherapy i.e ultrasound, laser therapy and TENS.
Manual therapy
Once pain has subsided, exercises to increase range of movement, balance and maintain quadriceps strength may be prescribed. These may include: squating, single calf raises and later, wobble-board techniques.
2. Surgical Intervention
In the event of more severe meniscal tears such as a bucket handle tear, arthroscopic surgical procedures may be necessary to repair the lesion. The aim of surgery is to preserve as much of the meniscus cartilage as possible. The procedure itself will normally invlove stitching of the torn cartilage. The success of the surgery depends not only on the severity of the tear but also on the age and physical condition of the patient. Younger and fitter patients are known to have better outcomes.
Following surgery a rehabilitive exercise program will be outlined for the patient which may include strenghtening and balance training. Full co-operation with the rehabilitive technique will be necessary to maximise recovery.
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/gallery/knee/cartilage_meniscus_tear1.jpg
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/gallery/knee/cartilage_meniscus_tear2.jpg
What is the lateral meniscus?
Each knee joint has two crescent-shaped cartilage menisci. These lie on the medial (inner) and lateral (outer) edges of the upper surface of the tibia (shin) bone, also known as the tibial plateau. They are essential components, acting as shock absorbers for the knee as well as allowing for the proper interaction and weight distribution between the tibia and the femur (thigh bone). As a result, injuries to either meniscus can lead to critical impairment of the knee itself.
The lateral meniscus is less prone to injury than the medial meniscus due to having less adhesive attachments to other structures in the area. Nevertheless injuries may be sustained during twisting movements, direct impact to the knee joint or due to degeneration of the cartilage in the older population.
Signs and Symptoms of lateral cartilage injury
Tenderness or pain around the lateral surface of the knee joint
Swelling- usually witin 24-48 hours of injury
Pain, particularly when bending the knee
Pain when rotating and pressing down on the knee in prone position (see assessment).
Audible popping, cracking or clicking sounds
Positive 'McMurrays' test
What can the athlete do?
If there is swelling you should apply RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) to the injured knee.
Gentle exercises to maintain quadriceps strength, although care should be taken not to aggravate the symptoms.
Wear a heat retainer or support.
Take a glucosamine / joint healing supplement.
See a sports injury specialist or doctor
Types of meniscal injuries
Degenerative Changes: This may lead to edges of the menisci becoming frayed and jagged
Longitudical Tears: This is a tear that occurs along the length of the meniscus
Bucket- Handle Tears: This is an exaggerated form of a longitudical tear where a portion of the meniscus becomes detached from the tibia forming a flap that looks like a bucket handle
Treatment for Lateral Cartilage Tear
The first aim of the sports injury specialist will be to correctly diagnose the injury. He/she may do this by utilizing specific tests for meniscal tears such as a 'McMurrays' test. Once diagnised the practitioner may consider two different modes of treatment depending on the extent of the injury.
1. Conservative Treatment
This may be indicated in the case of a small tear or a degenerative meniscus and may involve:
Ice, compression and recommendation of NSAIDs e.g. Ibuprofen.
Try wearing a knee support or brace if the knee feels unstable.
Electrotherapy i.e ultrasound, laser therapy and TENS.
Manual therapy
Once pain has subsided, exercises to increase range of movement, balance and maintain quadriceps strength may be prescribed. These may include: squating, single calf raises and later, wobble-board techniques.
2. Surgical Intervention
In the event of more severe meniscal tears such as a bucket handle tear, arthroscopic surgical procedures may be necessary to repair the lesion. The aim of surgery is to preserve as much of the meniscus cartilage as possible. The procedure itself will normally invlove stitching of the torn cartilage. The success of the surgery depends not only on the severity of the tear but also on the age and physical condition of the patient. Younger and fitter patients are known to have better outcomes.
Following surgery a rehabilitive exercise program will be outlined for the patient which may include strenghtening and balance training. Full co-operation with the rehabilitive technique will be necessary to maximise recovery.
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/gallery/knee/cartilage_meniscus_tear1.jpg
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/gallery/knee/cartilage_meniscus_tear2.jpg
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