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What is knee cartilage?
The primary purpose of cartilage is to act as a buffer to stop bones rubbing together. In the knee it takes the form of a C-shaped piece of material called the meniscus.
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Risk factors
The majority of the meniscus has no blood supply. For that reason, when damaged, the meniscus is unable to undergo the normal healing process that occurs in most of the rest of the body. In addition, with age, the meniscus begins to deteriorate, often developing degenerative tears. A partial or total tear of a meniscus may occur when a person quickly twists or rotates the upper leg while the foot stays still.
Typically, when the meniscus is damaged, the torn piece begins to move in an abnormal fashion inside the joint.
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Symptoms?
Because the space between the bones of the joint is very small, the torn fragment may become caught between the bones of the joint. When this happens, the knee becomes painful, swollen, and difficult to move.
If the tear is minor and the pain and other symptoms go away, the doctor may recommend a muscle-strengthening programme.
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Treatment and prevention
If the tear to a meniscus is more extensive, the doctor may perform keyhole surgery to see the extent of injury and to repair the tear. The doctor can sew the meniscus back in place if the patient is relatively young, the injury is in an area with a good blood supply, and the ligaments are intact. If the patient is elderly or the tear is in an area with a poor blood supply, the doctor may cut off a small portion of the meniscus to even the surface.
The primary purpose of cartilage is to act as a buffer to stop bones rubbing together. In the knee it takes the form of a C-shaped piece of material called the meniscus.
Top
Risk factors
The majority of the meniscus has no blood supply. For that reason, when damaged, the meniscus is unable to undergo the normal healing process that occurs in most of the rest of the body. In addition, with age, the meniscus begins to deteriorate, often developing degenerative tears. A partial or total tear of a meniscus may occur when a person quickly twists or rotates the upper leg while the foot stays still.
Typically, when the meniscus is damaged, the torn piece begins to move in an abnormal fashion inside the joint.
Top
Symptoms?
Because the space between the bones of the joint is very small, the torn fragment may become caught between the bones of the joint. When this happens, the knee becomes painful, swollen, and difficult to move.
If the tear is minor and the pain and other symptoms go away, the doctor may recommend a muscle-strengthening programme.
Top
Treatment and prevention
If the tear to a meniscus is more extensive, the doctor may perform keyhole surgery to see the extent of injury and to repair the tear. The doctor can sew the meniscus back in place if the patient is relatively young, the injury is in an area with a good blood supply, and the ligaments are intact. If the patient is elderly or the tear is in an area with a poor blood supply, the doctor may cut off a small portion of the meniscus to even the surface.