08/15/2010
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Meniscus tear is medically defined as a common knee injury generally in the cartilage in the knee joint. It is additionally known as a ripped cartilage that can affect severely the freedom of one's knee joint. This injury is usually gone through by sports athletes that participate in contact sports including boxing, football, and basketball to name just a few.
Symptoms: You will discover three levels of meniscus tear, each with its own symptoms as follows:
1.Minor tear: You experience a bit of pain and inflammation of the knee joint. This generally lasts about 2 to 3 weeks.
2.Moderate Tear: Pain steadily increases and you feel it either on the side or center of the knee joint. Inflammation heightens and confines the range of motion of the knee. Even though you are able to still walk, you'll have the experience of your knee being stiff. Sharp excruciating discomfort when rotating the knee or squatting.
3.Severe Tear: As the torn cartilage moves to the joint area, the knees might be wobbly and it can, anytime, give way. You could hear clicks on the knees and you'll experience locked knee. You may experience serious restrictions in the freedom of your knee and the ability to walk.
Diagnosis: If you experience the previously mentioned symptoms especially from average to serious, it can be crucial to undergo correct diagnosis of the condition. Your health practitioner or medical professional can suggest clinical tests of your situation and confirm if you're indeed suffering from meniscus tear as well as the severity of the situation.
Some of these clinical tests are as follows:
1. X-Rays and MRIs to visualize the tear
2. McMurray Test to find out the magnitude of inflammation
3. Appley and Steinmann tests to examine inflammation and discomfort
Treatment Therapy for the meniscus tear would depend upon several factors, for example: (1) the extent or severity of the tear; (2) the type of tear; (3) in addition to how old you are and just how active and mobile you might be at your age.
Usually the options for treatment are listed below:
1. Non-surgical remedy that features use of ice compress for puffiness and discomfort, a natural healing process that requires knee rest and elevation, going through physical therapy visits, and the wearing of a knee brace before the condition is relieved.
2. Surgical treatment that's a choice for severe conditions. There are several types of surgery to correct the condition, such as: sewing the tear, removing the torn portion of the meniscus, or removing the whole area.
It is always sensible to go for the non-surgical treatment prior to the surgical procedure. If in the event surgical treatment is the only alternative, it is still best to have the ripped meniscus fixed or repaired as opposed to having it removed partially or totally.
Always explore your choices and do not hesitate to ask your doctor to learn more about the condition. You can even explore the Internet for useful info that will help you find the correct treatment to meniscus tear.
EJ has been exercising for most of his adult life, which is a long time. Come on over to his new Web site at Meniscus Tear which helps people who exercise a lot learn more about knee injuries. Discover what exercises are great for strengthening the knee area and get a good idea of what exactly happens with a painful, preventable Meniscus Injury.
© 2010 EJ Montano
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