Common Causes Of A Torn Meniscus: When Can I Be Active Again?

Beware The Torn Meniscus

The knees are instrumental in the body’s movement, so an injury can put a serious damper on things. A torn meniscus is one such knee injury that could cause intense pain and discomfort. The menisci are a pair of c-shaped cartilage that sits on top of the shin bone. The cartilage acts as shock absorbers between the thigh bone and shin bone. Meniscal tears happen under specific circumstances and require extensive treatment for a full recovery.

How do meniscus tears happen?

The meniscus is a rubbery, flexible, tough piece of cartilage. At the same time, the knee has a limited range of motion managed by a series of ligaments. The meniscus not only helps with shock absorption but also helps with smooth movement between the bones. Should the knee move beyond this range of motion, injuries like meniscus tears can happen. Unnatural twists, turns, and shifts of the knee can cause a partial or full tear of the meniscus.

Meniscus tears and sports

Sports injuries are one of the biggest causes of meniscus tears. These tears are common among basketball, football, volleyball, and soccer players. Meniscus tears on the field can happen in 2 ways. First, the athlete could pivot or change direction with an incredible, aggressive force. This force can be so great that the meniscus is damaged. The other reason could be physical contact that shifts the knee out of place. The blow can come at the side or front of the knee, common when diving or colliding with another player.

Non-athletes are at risk, too

Athletes are more likely to suffer meniscus injuries, but that does not rule out non-athletes. A sudden fall, a twist of the knee, or unexpected physical altercation can cause meniscus injuries. Meniscus tears can also happen in car accidents or accidents on family vacations.
Anyone with a meniscus tear will feel a pop at the point of injury. This indicates that the meniscus, and possibly the ACL, is torn.

Degenerative meniscus injuries

Meniscus injuries are not uncommon among older people. With age, the cartilage in various parts of the body begins to deteriorate. The meniscus is no exception. Over time, the meniscus loses durability and can tear easily with the simplest of movements. This degeneration is often linked to osteoarthritis of the knee. Wear and tear of the knee and ligaments can happen from repetitive activities. Jobs that require constant bending and squatting can cause injuries.

Treating your meniscus tear

The type of treatment depends on the extent of the damage to the ligament. The meniscus tears in several ways. The ligament does not have a consistent blood supply. So the treatment will depend on the type and location of the tear. Some minor tears may benefit from physical therapy and pain management. More severe tears need arthroscopic surgery. An orthopedic surgeon will either shave off or remove parts of the torn meniscus.

The road to recovery

Whether treated surgically or non-surgically, meniscus tears require prolonged recovery time. For minor tears treated non-surgically, activities like walking and driving can happen after 2-3 weeks. A full recovery can take as long as 3 months. Consistent physical therapy is necessary to reduce pain and restore the range of motion. The same can be said for surgical intervention. While minimally invasive surgery means faster repair, there is some recovery time involved. For minor meniscus repairs, there is a similar 3-month timeline. However, more severe tears can take up to 6 months to heal.

Back on your feet again

Meniscus tears can be painful and require consistent care. Luckily, both physical therapy and surgery work with a success rate as high as 85%. Most tears happen on the playing field. However, tears are possible through wear and tear. Anyone suspecting injury should seek medical help. With the right treatment, sports and other activities can resume in short order.