The meniscus is a rubbery cartilage disc that is found in the knee joint between the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone). Each knee joint has two of these crescent-shaped discs classified as a medial meniscus and a lateral meniscus. One of the major responsibilities of the meniscus is to be a shock absorber by evenly distributing body weight onto the tibial surface. These cartilage discs also lubricate the knee joint for easier joint movement, protect the soft-tissue structures from outside forces, and stabilize the knee joint. The medial meniscus, positioned on the inner portion of the knee joint, bears up to 50% of the stress load exerted on the inside compartment of the knee. The lateral meniscus, situated on the outer portion of the knee joint opposite the medial meniscus, bears up to 80% of the stress load exerted on the outside compartment of the knee.
While meniscus cartilage is generally a tough tissue, it can still sustain damage caused by a traumatic event, such as a direct blow to the knee joint, or forceful knee rotation with the foot firmly planted. A meniscus tear of the knee is a common injury among athletes, however non-athletic individuals are still susceptible to a meniscus tear of the knee with activities of daily living. Dr. Frank McCormick, orthopedic knee specialist serving Orlando, West Palm Beach County, and surrounding Florida communities, has the knowledge and understanding, as well as substantial experience, in treating patients with meniscus tears of the knee.
Individuals with a meniscus tear of the knee are generally able to still walk but commonly complain of knee pain that fluctuates in severity. Occasionally patients report hearing a “popping” sound at the time of injury. Some other symptoms of a meniscus tear of the knee include:
Individuals with patella chondromalacia often report knee pain localized over the front of the knee joint. This pain may be exacerbated after sitting or standing for an extended period of time or after physical activities that increase stress on the knee joint. Some patients describe a “cracking” or “grinding” sensation with extending or bending the knee joint.
Each meniscus cartilage disc can be separated into two portions: the outer “red zone” and the inner “white zone”. The outer third segment contains a healthy blood supply allowing small meniscus tears to heal without surgery. The inner two-thirds segment lacks this blood supply therefore meniscus tears of the knee are less likely to heal without surgical intervention. Dr. McCormick will review a number of patient factors, such as age, activity level, the location of the meniscus tear, and the severity of injury to formulate the best treatment plan to address the patient’s specific needs.
Patients with a confirmed meniscus tear in the outer third portion of the meniscus and an overall stable knee joint may benefit from conservative treatment options. Modifying activities that worsen knee pain are highly encouraged. Rest and ice combined with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) can be used for pain and inflammation management. If these symptoms persist with oral medications, Dr. McCormick can administer a corticosteroid injection directly into the knee joint. When appropriate, a physical therapy program will be designed to strengthen the knee joint and improve range of motion.
Surgical intervention may be deemed necessary for patients with a confirmed meniscus tear in the inner two-thirds portion of the meniscus or those who failed to respond to initial conservative therapies. There are several surgical techniques currently available for treating meniscus tears of the knee. Dr. McCormick prefers the minimally invasive approach using a small camera (arthroscope) and specialized surgical instruments when performing one of the following surgical procedures:
