What is Meniscus tear?
Meniscus tear or injury is a common cause of knee pain in the medial (inside) and lateral (outside) sides of a knee joint. The knee meniscus is fibrocartilage that helps to “cushion” the shock between the thigh and shin bone when weight-bearing and prevents damage to the joint cartilage.
A meniscus tear can increase the risk of developing knee osteoarthritis if left untreated. It also changes the biomechanics and stability of the knee joint, resulting in an increased risk of developing other knee conditions.
Causes of Meniscus Tear
A meniscus tear usually occurs following a direct trauma, accident involving a twisted knee, or degenerative changes with age. Patients with this condition typically complain of painful, locking sensation in the knee or the knee often “gives way”.
Risk factors of a meniscus tear include:
- Old age (degeneration of the meniscus)
- High-impact sports (e.g football, basketball)
- Direct trauma to the knee
- Twisting injury to the knee
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Meniscus Tear Signs & Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of a meniscus tear include:
- Pain around the medial (inside) and lateral (outside) of the knee
- Knee “giving way” when walking
- Locking, popping and clicking of the knee during movement
- Swelling of the knee
- Unable to fully straighten and bend the knee
Meniscus Tear Management in Singapore
Establishing the extent of meniscus injury is essential as it will determine the knee pain treatment plan. The meniscus is an avascular structure, which means a limited blood supply to allow natural recovery. Stimulating an increase in blood supply can help heal the injury without surgery.
Treatment options for a meniscus tear in Singapore include:
- Physical therapy
- Extracorporeal shockwave therapy to stimulate blood flow and tissue regeneration
- Magnetotransduction therapy (EMTT) to reduce inflammation and stimulate cellular repair
- Surgery may be required for severe cases
