The knee has a meniscus on the inside of the knee, the medial meniscus and another on the outside of the knee, the lateral meniscus. The meniscus act as shock absorbers as well as knee stabilizers.
Symptoms
- Pain in the knee (the side where the Meniscus is torn)
- Knee swelling
- Locking of the knee (inability to bend and/or straighten the knee)
Diagnosis
MRI Scan of the knee will confirm whether the Medial Meniscus or Lateral Meniscus is torn.
Types of Treatment
- Physiotherapy
- Knee Brace
- Anti-inflammatory Medications
- Keyhole, minimally invasive Meniscus Surgery
When do I need Meniscus Surgery?
Locking (of the knee) or persistent pain from the meniscus tear are instances where surgery may be required. Surgery is usually done through a keyhole/minimally invasive method. A camera is inserted into the knee to visualize the torn meniscus which can then be either debrided (removed) or repaired depending on the type of tear.
