Conditions / Sport Injuries
Meniscus Injuries
The meniscus are ‘C’ shaped discs, made of tough cartilage that are located between the top surface of the shinbone (tibia) and the thigh bone(femur) and play and important role in load and shock absorbtion of the knee joint.
Each knee joint has two menisci and injury of the meniscus is one of the most common injuries of the knee.
The menisci play several important roles:
- To provide shock absorption and distribute load throughout the joint
- Increase stability
- Provide nutrition for articular cartilage
- Limit extreme flexion and extension
- Control the movements of the knee joint
Meniscal tears can occur in isolation or can be combined with ligament injury.
Most commonly, meniscus is usually damaged by a twist on a slightly flexed knee. A partial or total tear can happen as a result when you person quickly twist or rotate the upper leg while the foot stays planted.
Repeated or prolonged squatting can also result in a tear.
Tears can either be degenerative due to age and wear and tear and traumatic injury which commonly occurs in sporting and athletic patients.
Typical meniscus pain due to injury is experienced when trying to straighten, bend or twist the knee.
Surgical treatment for meniscal tears are among the most commonly performed orthopaedic procedures worldwide.
My role as team doctor has seen me perform many successful meniscus repairs allowing professional athletes to return to their sport and maintain a healthy lifestyle
