Meniscus Tear

The meniscus is a rubbery cartilage with a shape like the letter C. It acts as a shock absorber between the thighbone and shinbone. Each knee has two menisci (plural of meniscus), one on the inner side (medial) and one on the outer side (lateral) of the knee.

A meniscus tear is a common knee injury that can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joint. As a result, the injured person becomes unable to move the knee normally.

Meniscus tears can happen to anyone, but they are more likely to occur in athletes who play contact sports or perform activities that involve forceful twisting or rotation of the knee.

Symptoms of Meniscus Tear

The symptoms of a meniscus tear can depend on a variety of factors, such as the severity and location of the tear. Some common signs and symptoms are:

• Pain in the knee, especially when twisting or rotating your knee,
• Swelling or stiffness in the knee that may develop within a few hours after injury,
• A popping sensation at the time of injury,
• Difficulty straightening or bending your knee fully,
• A feeling of your knee giving way or being unstable,
• Locking or catching sensations in your knee during movement,
• Tenderness along the joint line when pressing on the sides of your knee.

In some cases, you may still be able to walk with a torn meniscus, but you might have a limp or feel pain when doing so.

Causes of Meniscus Tear

A meniscus tear can be caused by either a traumatic injury or degenerative changes in the knee. Some of the causes of meniscus tear are:

• Sudden twisting or changing motions, especially with a bent knee,
• Forceful impact or direct contact to the knee,
• Deep squatting or kneeling, particularly when lifting heavy weights,
• Repetitive stress on the knee joint over time,
• Degeneration of the meniscus due to age or underlying conditions like osteoarthritis,
• Meniscus tears are also more likely to occur due to traumatic injuries in younger individuals,
• In older adults, the meniscus can tear more easily due to weakening and wear of the cartilage.

Risk Factors of Meniscus Tear

A variety of factors can increase the risk of a meniscus tear. For example,

• Participating in contact sports or activities that involve twisting, such as football, basketball, tennis, and soccer,
• Having a job that requires frequent squatting or kneeling, such as plumbing or carpentry,
• Being overweight or obese which puts extra stress on your knee joints,
• Having a history of knee injuries or surgeries,
• Having certain anatomical factors, such as knee misalignment or a discoid meniscus (an abnormally shaped meniscus),
• Experiencing age-related degeneration of the meniscus, which makes it more prone to tears.

Treatment Options for Meniscus Tear

Treatment for a meniscus tear depends on the type, size, and location of the tear, as well as your age, activity level, and symptoms. The commonly suggested treatment options are:

• Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) to reduce pain and swelling,
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to manage pain and inflammation,
• Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the knee and improve flexibility and range of motion,
• Arthroscopic surgery to trim or repair the torn meniscus,
• In rare cases, a meniscus transplant surgery is performed for younger patients with a severely damaged meniscus.

In many cases, a combination of non-surgical treatments can effectively manage symptoms and promote healing. However, surgery is recommended for the following conditions:

• When the tear is large,
• Very unstable,
• Causing persistent pain
• Causing symptoms like locking or catching.

Meniscus Tear Surgery: This is typically performed arthroscopically, using small incisions and a camera to guide the surgical instruments. The surgeon will either trim away the damaged portion of the meniscus (partial meniscectomy) or repair the tear by suturing the torn edges together (meniscus repair). The choice between these procedures depends on factors such as the type and location of the tear, the patient's age and activity level, and the surgeon's preference.

Cost of Surgery

The cost of meniscus tear surgery in India can vary with a range of factors, such as the type of surgery performed (partial meniscectomy or meniscus repair), surgical technique used (arthroscopic or open), the experience and fees of the surgeon and pre-and post-operative care.

The general cost of meniscus tear surgery in India can range from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1,20,000. This estimate typically includes the surgical procedure, hospital stay, medications, and initial rehabilitation.

At Apollo Spectra, our team of experienced orthopedic surgeons is dedicated to providing comprehensive care for meniscus tears and other knee injuries. If you suspect you have a meniscus tear, schedule a consultation with our experts today.