Meniscus Tear And Best Treatment In Chandigarh

A torn meniscus is a tear in the tough cartilage inside your knee. Two pieces of cartilage sit inside your knee between your thighbone (femur) and shinbone (tibia). This cartilage is the meniscus. The rubbery wedges of cartilage act like shock absorbers for your knee, providing cushioning for your bones and knee joint. It can tear after a hard twist or rotation of your knee.

Types of meniscus tears
Each of your knee joints has two menisci:

Medial meniscus: A medial meniscus tear affects the cartilage on the inside of your knee.
Lateral meniscus: A lateral meniscus tear affects the cartilage on the outside of your knee.

What causes meniscal tears?
Acute meniscus tears occur during a sudden motion in which your knee twists while your foot stays planted on the ground. The tear frequently occurs while playing sports. People whose cartilage wears down (due to age or arthritis) can tear a meniscus from a motion as simple as stepping on an uneven surface. Sometimes, degeneration from arthritis causes a tear, even without a knee injury.

What is the best treatment for a torn meniscus?
Depending on the size and location of your meniscus tear, it may heal without surgery. Your healthcare provider may recommend taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medicine (like ibuprofen or aspirin) to relieve pain and reduce swelling. In the days after your injury, you should also follow the RICE method. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation:

Rest: Keep your weight off your injured knee as much as possible.
Ice: Place an ice pack on your knee for about 20 minutes, several times a day.
Compression: Wrap your knee with a compression bandage to help reduce swelling.
Elevation: Rest with your leg raised higher than your heart to decrease swelling.
Your provider may also recommend working with a physical therapist to strengthen your knee and increase your range of motion.

For more information consult our expert Dr Ritesh Khokhar at Fortis Hospital Mohali