Meniscus can also be treated without surgery Prof. Dr. Alper Murat Ulaşlı, Medical Director of Romatem Ankara Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center, sheds light on meniscus tears and their treatment... M A G Health and BeautyDo meniscus tears necessarily require surgery? Menisci are crescent or half-moon shaped fibrous cartilage rich in collagen.
It is located between the femur (thigh) and tibia (leg) bones that form the knee joint. The meniscus provides stability to the knee and reduces friction between the two bones while preventing cartilage injury by providing suspension; in other words, it has an important role for the knees. There are generally two types of meniscus damage. The first is acute damage due to sports injury or trauma; the second is damage due to wear and tear. If acute tears are large, surgery may be required. Chronic tears can be treated symptomatically. Physical therapy, exercise, analgesic anti-inflammatory drugs, intra-articular PRP, exosome, stem cell injections can eliminate the complaints of patients without the need for surgery in many patients. If the pain does not go away or progresses, if swelling in the knee causes restrictions in joint movement, surgical repair may be required.
Meniscus can also be treated without surgery (Mag Magazine)
In the past, the damaged section or the entire meniscus was removed, whereas today, as the role of the meniscus in the mechanics of the knee is better understood, a treatment approach aimed at preserving it as much as possible is at the forefront. Are meniscal tears the most common knee problem? The most common problem of the knee is osteoarthritis, which means joint wear and tear. We can see meniscal damage alone or together with osteoarthritis. Other diseases of the knee can be listed as anterior cruciate ligament tears, jumper's knee, tears of the inner or outer lateral ligaments, knee cap damage and dislocation. What causes meniscus injuries? It may develop due to trauma and overuse at young ages.
It does not have to be a major trauma, it can also happen after a sudden twist or repetitive squatting and standing. Especially inward and outward bending and rotations increase the risk of tearing. In older ages, it develops mostly due to wear and tear. Who are the most common people with meniscus injuries? It can be seen in both young and old ages. Meniscus injuries, especially in young people, occur after traumas during sports. Meniscus injuries and tears in the elderly can occur due to meniscus that has worn and thinned over the years, even during a slight backward step or squatting. What kind of problems do meniscus injuries cause? The first symptom of meniscus injuries is pain in the knees. It usually manifests itself during knee-bending movements such as climbing up and down stairs, using the toilet, any sporting activity or praying.
It causes swelling due to fluid accumulation, limitation in joint movement, difficulty in walking, sticking in the knee, and a feeling of emptying. Recurrent meniscal tears can cause premature wear and calcification of the joint. When is the physical therapy and rehabilitation process involved in meniscus treatment? If you have knee pain that lasts longer than two weeks, if you have severe pain that starts after trauma or strenuous movement, we say that you should definitely consult a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist.
The aim of physical therapy in meniscus injuries is to reduce effusion, i.e. fluid accumulation, to normalize walking, to perform joint movements painlessly, to prevent muscle weakening, to maintain the proprioception of the knee, that is, its general and normal condition and posture.
