The knee joint is one of our loyal and self-sacrificing joints that have important duties in carrying our weight while standing and walking.
The structures that support and protect the knee joint are primarily our menisci. Menisci are structures that help distribute the pressure between the lower leg and upper leg bones and increase flexibility, and there are 2 in each knee, the inner and outer menisci.
The inner meniscus is in the shape of a half-moon (C), while the lateral meniscus is in the shape of a circle (O).
The meniscus is torn by compressive, rotational and shearing forces in the knee. It is rare for a healthy meniscus to tear completely at the first strain, and the tear usually grows with repetitive traumas.
Risk Factors:
Laxity
Muscle weakness
Bad fistula
Obesity (fatness)
Sports traumas
Working in heavy jobs, etc.
Since the outer meniscus is more mobile, inner meniscus tears are more common. The patient’s complaints do not occur due to the torn meniscus, but due to the stretching and tearing of the attachment points, and the stimulation of the surrounding sensitive tissues due to edema.
The pain is usually severe and sudden. The knee swells, sometimes it may lock, the knee may not open completely, and there may be weakness in the surrounding muscles and thinning of the muscle.
The diagnosis of meniscus tear is made by clinical examination, MRI or arthoscopy. Except for knee locking, the treatment of meniscus deceptions is not urgent. The locked knee should be opened within 24 hours. If there is no locking, a rehabilitation program should be started. Ice is applied for the first 24-36 hours to remove the edema and resistance exercises are applied to prevent muscle weakness. The patient should avoid putting weight on the knee and should use crutches. Large tears that do not extend to the blood supply area are repaired with arthroscopy.
During arthroscopy, isometric exercises are started on the second day. The exercises should be done for 10-15 minutes in 3-4 sessions per day. The exercise is arranged according to the patient’s condition. The treatment program continues for approximately 2-2.5 months.