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What is a Meniscal tear?
A meniscal tear is a laceration or damage in the meniscus. The meniscus is a cartilage structure, which acts as a shock absorber in the knee. There are two menisci in each knee, a medial one on the inside, and a lateral one on the outside. There are different types of tears depending on the location and how they look. Treatment depends on the severity and the location of the tear.
What are the causes of a meniscal tear?
Most injuries to the meniscus are caused by trauma and are most often seen in patients who practice intensive sports activities with compression and twisting of the knee. Because the aging process tends to break down the inner tissues of the meniscus, minor trauma can also injure the meniscus in an older adult.
What are the symptoms?
Pain, swelling, tightness in the knee, locking up or giving way of the knee joint are all symptoms of a damaged meniscus.
What is the treatment?
Repair by surgical suture or removal of the damaged part of the meniscus is performed by arthroscopy. A minimally invasive technique is used in order to insert a camera and special tools into your knee joint to perform the surgery with only two small incisions of one centimeter each. You will be able to leave the hospital during the afternoon after your surgery without spending the night in the hospital.