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KNEE MENISCUS INJURIES
ANATOMY
The medial and lateral menisci are C-shaped wedges of cartilage located between the condyles of the femur and tibia. The menisci help to stabilize the knee joint, distribute forces coming through the knee and to reduce friction in the joint.
MECHANISM OF INJURY
Twisting movement with the foot planted eg. pivoting.
SYMPTOMS
- Common to medial and lateral meniscal injuries:
- ‘Locking’ or ‘catching’ of the knee joint.
- Sometimes there is an effusion.
- Restriction of range of motion.
Medial Meniscus Injuries:
- Pain of the medial side of the knee joint occurs during and after exertion.
- Pain in the area of the medial joint line occurs during hyperextension and hyperflexion and also on turning the foot and lower leg outward when the knee joint is flexed.
Lateral Meniscus Injuries:
- Pain in the lateral aspect of the joint occurs in connection with exertion of the knee joint. In many cases the pain appears consistently after a specific amount of exertion.
- Pain in the area of the lateral joint line occurs on hyperextension and hyperflexion of the knee and also on internal rotation of the foot and the lower leg in relation to the femur when the knee joint is flexed to 70º-90º.
TREATMENT
Please consult with your medical professional for a complete diagnosis and treatment plan.
Under the direction of your medical professional and in conjunction with your advised treatment plan, the following products may be beneficial:
Glossary of Terms:
CONDYLE: Rounded end of bone: a rounded part at the end of a bone that forms a moving joint with a cup-shaped cavity in another bone. The ball part of a ball-and-socket joint such as the hip or shoulder joint is a condyle.
EFFUSION: The escape of a fluid from its natural vessels into a body cavity
HYPERFLEXION: To flex so that the angle between the bones of a joint is smaller than normal
HYPEREXTENSION: Extension of a bodily joint beyond its normal range of motion.
MEDIAL: Inside aspect
LATERAL: Outside aspect |
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