It’s almost impossible to escape from injuries if you are physically active, either through sports activities or regular exercises. The injuries affect the musculoskeletal system, leading to pain, among other issues, affecting your performance and physical life. Sports medicine is a medical field that provides an effective diagnosis or treatment for various musculoskeletal injuries, including meniscus tear in West Chester. It also promotes your healing and enhances your physical function. This article will help you learn more about a meniscus tear.
What is a meniscus?
It is a tendon in the knee located within the joint. It functions as a shock absorber between your thigh and other leg bones. However, it is the most prone to injuries.
The two menisci have rubbery fibrocartilage that allows them to resist or endure the daily pressure of running, walking, and standing. But, they can split from sudden movements or become damaged.
What is a meniscus tear?
It’s an injury of the meniscus in the knee. The damage occurs suddenly from playing sports or participating in physical activity. Especially activities that cause you to twist or rotate your knee forcefully. Lifting heavy items deep squatting may also lead to a torn meniscus.
Meniscus tears may also occur due to aging, which causes your muscles to be weak and prone to injuries.
You are likely to develop a meniscus tear if you participate in sports activities that require vigorous knee twisting or pivoting. Meniscus tears are common with athletes, including footballers, basketball, and tennis players.
What does a meniscus tear feel like?
Usually, you will recognize something is not right, immediately, you get a meniscus tear. You are likely to hear a pop sound, which may not affect your walking. However, as days go by, your symptoms may worsen, which might include:
- Swelling
- Instability
- Pain, when twisting your knee
- Restricted mobility
- Knee locking
- Stiffness
A meniscus tear may cause severe problems, including limited movement, affecting your life quality when not treated. Your provider Dr. Hess conducts a thorough physical examination to diagnose your injury. He also takes imaging tests such as MRI or X-rays to have a clear view of your injury.
What are the available treatments for a meniscus tear?
Your provider first recommends conservative approaches before moving on to surgery, which may include:
- Physical therapy
- Rest
- Steroid injections
- Ice or heat therapy
- Medications
When you don’t find relief from conservative treatments, Dr. Hess suggests surgery to repair your injury. He uses arthroscopy, a minimally invasive technique involving smaller incisions, lowering your risk of bleeding or scarring.
The surgery occurs as your provider makes minute incisions in your knee where he uses a long thread-like camera with a light to view the inner part of your injury. Then, it uses small tools to remove the damaged meniscus tissue and uses sutures to repair the tear.
A meniscus tear occurs during sports activities but can also arise from natural body degeneration. It is advisable to keep away from activities that worsen your knee pain until you reach full recovery. Seeking medical assistance is always the way to finding a lasting solution to your problem. Contact Ronal Hess, MS, DO today to book your consultation.
