Materials and methods: Ninety-two patients 50 years old or older who had undergone knee MRI followed by knee arthroscopy within 6 months were selected. Menisci were graded on a 5-point scale: 1, definitely no tear; 2, probably no tear; 3, indeterminate or equivocal; 4, probably a tear; and 5, definitely a tear.
Meniscus tears, indicated by MRI, are classified in three grades. Grades 1 and 2 are not considered serious. They may not even be apparent with an arthroscopic examination. Grade 3 is a true meniscus tear and an arthroscope is close to 100 percent accurate in diagnosing this tear.
Severity of meniscus tears can be classified by grades 1-3. Grades 1 and 2 are often managed non-surgically while grade 3 usually require surgery.
If your doctor's exam shows your meniscus tear is mild (Grade 1 or 2), you may not need surgery. If it's Grade 3, you probably will.
A healthy meniscus acts as a shock absorber and provides a smooth surface for your knee to glide on. A tear in the meniscus prevents your knee from rotating, causing pain and locking. Injuries to the meniscus are common, particularly among athletes.
A tear is usually labeled as severe if the meniscus has a big tear. Loose pieces may cause the knee joint to lock or catch. This level of injury may also keep you from bending or straightening your leg and can make walking difficult. Severe tears usually require surgery to repair.
It's sometimes possible to repair a torn meniscus, especially in children and younger adults. If the tear can't be repaired, the meniscus might be surgically trimmed, possibly through tiny incisions using an arthroscope. After surgery, you will need to do exercises to increase and maintain knee strength and stability.
The vascular portion is called the “red zone” due to the presence of capillaries in the meniscal tissue. The avascular portion is called the “white zone” due to its absence of blood supply. Red zone tears have the potential to heal and white zone tears will likely never heal.
There is often sharp pain when you twist or squat. Symptoms may go away but can come back from overuse or when you do activities that involve twisting. The pain may come and go over a period of years if the tear isn't treated. Larger tears usually cause more pain and immediate swelling and stiffness.
Symptoms of severe meniscus tears:
Popping, locking or catching. Inability to straighten the knee. Knee that gives way. Stiffness and swelling right after the incident.
There are 6 main types of meniscal tears: horizontal (longitudinal), radial (transverse), intrasubstance, bucket-handle, flap tear, and complex tear.
What is the prognosis (outlook) for people with a torn meniscus? Most people who tear a meniscus can return to full activity. If you have surgery to repair a torn meniscus, your knee should be fully recovered after a few months of physical therapy.
The athlete with a meniscal tear is often treated with meniscectomy or meniscal repair, depending on the size and location of the tear. Potential sequelae of meniscal injuries include the loss of in-season competition days and diminished career longevity.
So unfortunately, having a meniscal tear which requires surgery may raise your risk of getting arthritis later in life. It has also been shown that a knee that has undergone meniscus surgery has weaker thigh muscles and poorer quality of cartilage 4 years after the surgery [3].
The injury won't heal on its own, which means it may continue getting worse without proper care. For example, a partial tear may continue to worsen until it's a complete tear. Continuing to walk on the affected leg can aggravate your symptoms, making pain and stiffness worse in as little as a few days.
The problem is most likely tearing of the meniscus (cartilage) or ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). Both can be extremely painful and sideline an athlete for months of recovery.
Many ACL tears we see only have problems ascending stairs, jogging, or walking downhill but can walk up hills and on flat roads without an increase in pain. A meniscus tear, on the other hand, will cause fairly severe pain even just standing on it.
Meniscus repair is optimally performed within the first two months after meniscus tear to maximize meniscus healing. Walking on a knee that is 'locked' (does not fully straighten) may damage the meniscus further and make a tear unrepairable.
“You can live with a meniscus tear,” Dr. Parker says. “And it may heal on its own, or just not cause you problems.” However, you'll know pretty quickly when it is a problem.
Leaving a complex meniscus tear in your knee increases your risk of arthritis and the eventual need for knee replacement surgery.
The answer is “yes,” but that's only if the tear is not a very long one. You need to understand what kind of tear you have because some will not heal on their own and cause more damage if left untreated. Steps to heal a torn meniscus naturally: Rest: It's crucial to rest your knee after injury.
What are the benefits? Surgery to repair tears in the meniscus relieves symptoms 85% of the time. That means that of 100 people who have this surgery, 85 have relief from pain and can use their knee normally, while 15 do not. Surgery to repair tears may reduce the risk of long-term joint problems.
Most people can walk with crutches soon after meniscus surgery. Many return to normal activities within six to eight weeks. Your healthcare provider may recommend low-impact activities rather than high-impact (such as walking rather than running). If you have a physical job, you may need extra time off work to recover.
Stem-Cell Therapy
Researchers have been developing stem-cell therapies that may help heal the injured tissue. During treatment, stem cells from your own body or some other source are injected into the injured knee area, where they grow, differentiate and assist with the healing of the meniscus.