Meniscus Injuries

 

The meniscus is a structure in the knee, between the femur (thigh bone) and the tibia (shin bone). It is made of cartilage, or more accurately fibrocartilage. Each knee has two menisci (the plural of meniscus), one lateral, toward the outer side of the knee and one medial, toward the inner side of the knee. The meniscus is important in weight-bearing activities as it transmits loads, absorbs shock, and imparts stability to the knee.

A tear of the meniscus can result in pain, swelling, and limited motion. The meniscus can be torn in high energy injuries such as falls or collisions but can also be torn with minimal or no trauma, as with twisting or squatting.

 

The symptoms of a meniscus tear may include pain, swelling, inability to fully bend or straighten your knee, the knee locking or getting stuck in one position, hearing and/or feeling a pop or snap at the time of injury, and popping of the knee with motion.

A torn meniscus is (typically) diagnosed by a Sports Medicine Physician (health care provider) who will take your medical history, ask about the details of your injury, and examine your knee. X-rays are typically taken to make sure the bones are not broken but will not show a meniscus tear. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) which images soft tissues is valuable in diagnosing a meniscus tear.

Initial treatment of a torn meniscus, like many knee injuries, may include rest, ice, compression, elevation, anti-inflammatory medication, and protection using a knee brace and crutches.

 

In the case of a small tear, you may be able to function well but may have occasional symptoms of pain, swelling, stiffness, and locking.

 

If your knee symptoms persist, minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery by an orthopedic surgeon may be necessary to repair or remove the torn meniscus, more likely with larger tears. An arthroscope is a probe the size of a pencil equipped with a light supply and video camera which projects the image of the inside of your knee onto a video monitor. The arthroscope and tools are inserted into your knee through very small incisions and the torn meniscus is repaired or removed. Because the meniscus is an important shock absorber of the knee, the doctor will leave as much healthy meniscus as possible. The procedure should be performed in an outpatient surgery center, and normally takes about an hour. The patient will return home the same day. You will typically have a post-operative check-up with your doctor 2-3 days after surgery. At this point the rehabilitation protocol will be initiated depending on the extent of your injury.

Most meniscus tears occur during accidents. You may be able to decrease your likelihood of injury by having strong quadriceps and hamstring muscles, warming up and stretching your hips, knees, and ankles before and after athletic activities, and using properly fitted gear.

 

An orthopaedic surgeon with specific interest in sports injuries of the shoulder and knee, Andrew Bulczynski, M.D. joined DISC Sports and Spine (DISC) in 2009. He was immediately drawn to the center’s customized patient experience, multidisciplinary approach and focus on minimally invasive surgeries—approaches he had already personally embraced. Since then, his patient roster has grown to encompass professional and amateur athletes alike.

 

Embracing a highly individualized approach, Dr. Bulczynski views each one of his patients as a partner in their own care. He prides himself in thoroughly educating patients about their conditions and actively involving them in their unique treatment choices. From his perspective, this complete understanding is vital to treatment success.

 

Dr. Bulczynski received his medical degree from Northwestern University in 1999 and completed his general surgery internship and orthopaedic surgery residency at Loyola University Medical Center. To further his knowledge and skills in arthroscopic surgical techniques, he pursued his sports medicine fellowship training at Lake Tahoe Orthopaedic Institute.

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