Transcript meniscus

The Meniscus
Anatomy
• Lies between the femur and the tibia
• Two menisci: lateral and medial
• Avascular- doesn’t have blood
vessels inside (prevents it from
healing itself.)
Symptoms
• Pain, especially when holding the
knee straight
• Swelling
• Knee may click or lock
• Knee may feel weak
• Squatting or pivoting will pinch the
meniscus tear and cause pain
Mechanism of Injury
• Meniscus tears can
occur during a rotating
movement while
bearing weight, such as
when twisting the upper
leg while the foot stays
in one place during
sports and other
activities.
• Or when getting hit
from the side.
Sideline Management/Acute
Care
• ICE
• Immobilize the knee
• Find out the history of the patient
Diagnosis
• x-ray
• magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI)
• computed
tomography scan
(Also called a CT or
CAT scan.)
• Arthroscopy
• radionuclide bone
scan
Treatment
• Arthroscopic surgery
is the only way to
treat the tear since
there are currently no
medications, braces,
or physical therapy
treatments to heal it.
• Several techniques to
perform the surgery.
Rehabilitation
• focused on both your
quadriceps (thigh
muscle) and
hamstrings (muscles
behind your knee)
• doctor may prescribe
formalized physical
therapy, with a
therapist or trainer.
• stretching, flexion and
extension
strengthening, and
stamina building
HEEL SLIDE
Precautions and
Suggestions
•
•
•
•
DON'T DO these:
Squat
Twist your knee
Walk on uneven
terrain.
DO these:
Try to sleep with
your legs out
straight at night
instead of curling up
into a ball.
Post Operative Treatment
• No weight bearing on
the joint for at least 3
weeks after surgery.
• Maximal weight
training is not allowed
for 2-3 months.
• Return to running and
agility sports is
permitted after 3-4
months if strength and
motion have returned
and there is no pain in
the joint.