Knee Pain Relief : What Are The Causes and Treatment Options For A Meniscus Tear?

The thigh bone and shin bone are protected from impact by a tough cartilage covering called the meniscus. There are two such menisci in the knee. One protects the outer knee and one the inner. If you were somehow able to be born without meniscus, your weight would lie squarely on the bones of your thigh and lower leg, causing fractures and a lot of pain. Even a miniscule tear in the meniscus can cause pain, which is why the overall health of your knee relies heavily on functionality of the meniscus.

A meniscus tear often happens as a result of a sporting injury. If the knee joint is bent and twisted, this can lead to a meniscus tear. Older people who have brittle cartilage can also suffer from a meniscus tear.

Symptoms include:

Knee pain
Swelling
Movement of the knee joint is limited
Popping and/or clicking noises made within the knee
Tenderness if pressed on

Diagnosis

Doctors will typically have a look at your history, and use an X-ray or MRI to assess whether or not you’re suffering from a meniscus tear. Once your doctor can see the damage, a treatment plan will be made for your recovery. In most cases surgery isn’t required, unless the damage is extensive.

Treatment

Icing the injured area can help reduce the swelling and relieve pain. By reducing the swelling, it also allows the body to heal faster.

In order to heal properly, your body needs to heal. Stay away from activities that cause you pain. Immobilize the knee and allow it to heal naturally.

Knee braces are often used by patients who suffer from a meniscus tear. Knee braces can help reduce pain and provide added support to the knee area. If you’re an active person, using a knee brace when you’re healthy may help to prevent a meniscus tear.

Surgery is the last resort. There are two types of surgical procedures that are typically used to correct a meniscus tear. A Meniscus Repair is used to repair the damaged meniscus, but is used less often than the Menisectomy, which is a procedure that removes the damaged part of the meniscus.

If you suffer a meniscus tear, you’re more likely to have further complications, such as arthritis in the future. Prevention is the best method. Making lifestyle choices that help prevent this condition are recommended. For instance, making sure you stay in shape so that your knee doesn’t have to carry extra weight, and wearing a knee brace while engaging in sporting activities is just two of the ways that people can help prevent a meniscus tear.

If you are in sports you may also use a knee brace to help provide support to your knee with this kind of injury. A football knee brace, basketball knee brace, or running knee brace can be used when you participate in these sports. A sports knee brace, such as the ones listed above are useful, and are not usually called a football knee brace for example. Usually a football knee brace will be the DonJoy Fource Point CI knee brace, or the DonJoy playmaker knee brace. This can apply to other sports as well.

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