Conditions
Meniscal and Ligament Injuries
What is a meniscus tear?
Your meniscus is horseshoe-shaped cartilage that forms a cushion between your thigh and shin bone. A meniscus tear is a prevalent knee injury that occurs as a result of a turn or twist of your knee. Your menisci can sustain damage and are susceptible to tears once you put a significant amount of pressure on your knee joint. These tears could be a result of athletic contact sports or regular day-to-day activities.
What are some of the reasons for a meniscus tear?
A meniscus tear can occur during contact sports when you turn or twist your knee. But sometimes, your menisci can degenerate due to overuse or as a result of age-related issues.
What are the signs of a torn meniscus?
If you’ve torn your meniscus, at first, you'll hear a popping noise. Other noticeable signs of a torn meniscus include:
- Meniscus pain, especially when you turn your knee.
- Stiffness and inflammation
- Limited range of knee motion
- Locked knees
How is a meniscus tear treated?
At first, the doctor conducts a McMurray and Thessaly test to diagnose a meniscus tear. To perform a McMurray test, Dr Botha both straightens and bends your knee. If you hear a pop during this exam, this is a sign that you have a meniscus tear. A Thessaly test checks for lesions in your meniscus and confirms a meniscal injury. Dr Botha confirms a meniscal injury if you experience a catching or locking sensation in your knees. Further tests involve a knee x-ray, MRI and arthroscopy if needed. Although a knee x-ray doesn’t pick up a meniscus tear, it does indicate osteoarthritis.
If there’s no positive response to mild or moderate treatment, the doctor will suggest an arthroscopy. To perform an arthroscopy, Dr Botha inserts an arthroscope into a small incision near the knee region. Once in your knee, the camera at the edge of the lighted instrument captures images of the surgical area. The doctor then inserts instruments through the arthroscope from other small entry points in your knee to mend the tear.
What is a knee ligament injury?
There exist four ligaments in your knee: anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL) and your lateral collateral ligament (LCL). An injury to your ACL or PCL may occur after trauma as a result of contact sports or motor vehicle accidents. Your ACL stretches or tears once you twist your knee. Your collateral ligaments can stretch or tear if there's trauma to one side of your knee as a result of sports activities.
What are the signs of cruciate and collateral ligament injuries?
After either a cruciate or collateral ligament injury, your knees will pop, buckle and start to swell. Your symptoms may, however, vary.
How are knee ligament injuries treated?
Before Dr Botha performs arthroscopic surgery, she orders an x-ray or MRI to diagnose damaged ligaments. The surgeon makes small incisions in your knee and pumps saline into your knee to expand the surgical area. Dr Botha slides the arthroscope into the joint, locates the problem area and repairs the ligaments. Once the procedure is complete, the surgeon drains the solution from the joint and uses stitches to close the incisions.
