Meniscus

Of all the joints in the body the knee is the most often injured – typically during sports activities (football, rugby, skiing etc), an accidental fall, road traffic accident or some other direct impact. The most frequently damaged structures are meniscus, ligaments, articular cartilage and bones.

 

Meniscus (torn cartilage)

These are half moon shaped tough elastic structures, which act like shock absorbers. A meniscus tear is quite common in a twisting injury. It can be associated with ligament damage and fractures involving the knee joint. It can affect both young and older patients.      

Common complaints

• pain, locking, clicking, giving way and the feeling of something trapped inside the knee joint.

 

Diagnosis & investigation

• examination of the patient.  MRI scans are quite sensitive but the image be normal in 15% cases even if a tear is present.

 

Treatment

• this often requires key hole surgery or in some cases repair.

 

Recovery

• very good results following surgery.