Meniscus injury: causes, symptoms and recovery.

Causes of a Meniscus Injury

There are several causes of a meniscus injury. Below are the most common ones:

1. Sudden turning movements: often occurs during sports such as soccer, tennis or basketball, where your knee twists while your foot remains firmly on the ground.
2. Age: As we age, the cartilage in the meniscus loses its flexibility and strength. This makes it more susceptible to tearing, even with simple movements such as squatting or slipping.
3. Trauma: A hard blow or also worse, a car accident can also lead to a meniscus tear.
4. Overload: Prolonged overuse, often at the same angle, can cause meniscus complaints.

Symptoms of a Meniscus Injury

The symptoms of a meniscus injury can vary depending on the severity of the tear. The most common symptoms are:

• Pain in the knee: Especially on the sides of the knee, where the joint gap is located. In the medical world, we also call this the Joint Line. 
• Swelling: This may occur immediately after the injury or several hours later.
• Restricted movement: You may have difficulty fully bending or extending your knee.
• Final complaints: Sometimes the meniscus can get stuck between the joints, causing a blockage in the movement of the knee.
• Crackling sounds: When moving the knee, a cracking sound may be heard, indicating a damaged meniscus. Sometimes this is also described more as a pop or loud click. 

Quick action on lock complaints

When you suffer from lock symptoms, where the knee is truly in a lock position, quick action is crucial. This can indicate a serious meniscus tear where part of the meniscus is literally stuck between the joint surfaces. If this is the case then make an appointment quickly at Fysio Fitaal in Tilburg. 

Why acting fast is important:

• Preventing permanent damage: a meniscus that is stuck has in itself a reduced ability to recover naturally. 
• Meniscus preservation: The sooner a correct diagnosis is made, the more likely the meniscus can be preserved. This avoids the need to remove parts of the meniscus during surgery.

The blood flow of the meniscus: 1/3, 2/3 and 3/3 distribution

The meniscus is divided into three zones. Blood flow in these three zones plays an important role in the recovery from a meniscus injury. The outer 1/3 of the meniscus, also called the red area called, has the best blood flow. This means that tears in this part of the meniscus have a greater chance of repairing without intervention because this is where the body can supply more nutrients and oxygen. The middle 1/3, the red and white area, has limited blood flow. Tears in this area can sometimes heal, but it depends on the severity of the damage. The inner 1/3, the white zone, has virtually no blood flow. This part of the meniscus generally does not heal on its own, and tears in this area often require surgery, such as removing or repairing the damaged tissue.

Treatment of a Meniscus Injury

Treatment for a meniscus injury depends on the severity of the tear. There are two options:

1. Conservative treatment: Small tears can often be treated without surgery, again, this also depends greatly on the location of the lesion in the meniscus. That is, in which part the tear is located. Exercise therapy can help reduce swelling and pain early on. Physical therapy plays a crucial role here in restoring mobility and strengthening the surrounding muscles.
2. Meniscus surgery: For severe tears, surgery is sometimes unavoidable. This is usually performed through a arthroscopy, a minimally invasive procedure in which the surgeon makes small holes in the knee to repair either suture or remove the meniscus. The recovery period after surgery can vary depending on how complex the procedure was. 

Physical therapy after meniscus surgery

Physical therapy plays a crucial role in recovery after meniscus surgery. During physical therapy, the focus is on restoring strength, stability and flexibility in the knee. The treatment plan often consists of:

1. Getting used to load: exercises aimed at strengthening the quadriceps and hamstrings help support the knee. This prevents future injuries.
2. Good stretching of the knee: Through manual therapy and actively improving the extension of the knee, we want the knee to return to normal extension as soon as possible. This extension is critical for normal gait.
3. Coordination Training : exercises focused on coordinative proper movement during sports are essential to restore knee stability and reduce the risk of re-injury.
4. Strength training: During rehabilitation, your physical therapist will slowly increase the intensity of your exercises. This is done in increments so your knee can get used to strenuous activities again without overexerting itself.

Rehabilitation at Physio Fitaal in Tilburg

The goal of physical therapy after meniscus surgery is to get your knee fully functional again as quickly and safely as possible. Without proper rehabilitation, your knee may remain stiff and you run the risk of the injury returning. In addition, physical therapy can help reduce pain and improve your gait.

A meniscus injury can limit you considerably in your daily activities, but with proper treatment and physical therapy, recovery is quite possible. Whether it is a conservative approach or you do have to undergo surgery, it is important to be patient and give the process time. 

Are you dealing with a meniscus injury and want to know more about physical therapy after surgery? Make sure you contact Fysio Fitaal in Tilburg.

Making an appointment