What You Need to Know About a Torn MeniscusHave you ever heard people talk about torn knee cartilage? What they really mean is a torn meniscus. Anyone who’s ever had a meniscus tear knows how this condition can cause excruciating pain and affect productivity.This is probably one of the most common injuries our team at Next Level sees every week. Here’s what you need to know about the meniscus, along with what’s involved in a meniscus tear. What Is a Torn Meniscus?The meniscus consists of two pads or rubber cushions of cartilage that form a “c” or crescent shape. To better understand what’s involved in the meniscus, picture how your knee joint is formed by three bones that come together. These bones include the femur (thighbone), the tibia (shinbone) and the patella (kneecap). |
  |
Any activity that involves rapid turning or twisting of the knee can result in a torn meniscus. Common causes include:
| Each knee joint contains two menisci. Your meniscus serves two important functions. Besides being filling the space between the bones of your knee and stabilizing the knee, the meniscus is also a shock absorber between the tibia and the femur. Think about how your knees are subjected to significant stress just by doing your daily activities. In fact, the stress placed on your knee when taking a single step is about 2 to 3 times that of your body weight. When you run or exercise, the force is even more. But when your meniscus is working properly, the force involved in each step is distributed evenly so that your knee is stabilized when it’s extended, flexed or makes circular movements. The interesting thing about meniscus tears is that the symptoms and pain associated with this type of injury can often be treated by non-surgical means. After a course of R.I.C.E (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation), we often recommend that you schedule an appointment with an experienced physical therapist. Dealing with a Torn Meniscus? Contact Next Level Today!To schedule a free discovery session with one of our Doctors of Physical Therapy, please call (661) 383-9828 - we look forward to helping get get out of pain and feeling your best! |
