What are Meniscii
Meniscii are cartiladge, bow shaped, structrures, that function as "cushion" inside the knee joint, optimizing load allocation and absorbing shocks. They are important for knee joint stabilisation. They are often subject or injury or rupture, and in some cases of rupture, the loose particle may inhibit proper joint motion. In cases of symptomatic rapture a surgery is needed to restore the Meniscus and post-surgery Physical Therapy for knee rehabilitaion. The injury might happen :
- During sports activities
- In ages over 50
- At full knee flexion, for long time with heavy load
- Due to weaker muscles than the activity demands
- It is the second most frequent injury of theknee, and in many cases it is without symptoms and diagnosis
- The medial Meniscus is usualy injured
Symptoms of Meniscus Injury
Meniscus injury may have symptoms such as :
- Pain palpation the fron artivular line
- Poping sound during flexion, with intermitened pain
- Swelling
- Functional restrictions
- Performance deterioration
- Quality of life deterioration
Risk Factors for Meniscus injury
Meniscus injury usualy happens in:
- Athletes
- Ages over 50
- Muscles weaker than the activity demands
- High body mass index BMI
- Intense training
- Knee Osteoarthritis
Differential Assessment
Assessment is required by an Orthopedic Physical Therapist, by taking medical history, clinical examination, and clinical tests, to determine if the injury has affcted the Meniscus or other tissues in the joint, such as :
- Patellofemoral Tendinopathy
- Knee Osteoarthritis
- Patellofemoral Syndrome
- ACL Injury
- MCL or LCL Injury
What if I do not treat a Meniscus injury?
Most Meniscus injuries are without symptoms and never get a diagnosis. Meniscus raptures, though, usually have symptoms. If the injury is without sumptoms no treatment is necessary. But if there is a more serious clinical condition that is not properly treated, then it becomes chronic with symptoms such as :
- Chronic pain
- Joint instability
- Functional restrictions
- Performance deterioration
- Quality of life deterioration
- Recurring injuries and falls
How Can Physical Therapy Help
Physical Therapy is essential for Meniscus injuries treatment, when there are symptoms. Fisrt pain is addressed, with combined specialised therapies like, electrotherapy, massage and exercise with immediate results, and then a suitable structured exercise program is prescribed, that will restore mobility and strength to your leg. Interventions applied :
A structrured exercise program for Meniscus injury rehabilitaion will include :
- Quadriceps sthrengthening
- Abductor strengthening
- Adductor strengthening
- Proprioception exercises
- Direction change exercises
- Sport simulation exercises
- Aerobic program
How can I prevent a Meniscus injury?
Meniscus injury prevention requires :
- Quadriceps sthrengthening
- Structures exercise program
- Gradual load increas
- Avoid intense tranning - quick load increase
- Maintain a healthy weight - ΒΜΙ
Did you have surgery for Meniscus Injury ?
Physical Therapy can help you maximize the benefits of a surgery.Together with Physical Therapist Mr. Danalis you will customise your rehabilitaion, so that post-surgery pain is addressed quickly, and with exercise your leg will once again be strong and with full range of motion.
If you knee injury Contact PhysioDanali today for expert consultation.
References
Arundale AJH, Bizzini M, Dix C, Giordano A, Kelly R, Logerstedt DS, Mandelbaum B, Scalzitti DA, Silvers-Granelli H, Snyder-Mackler L. Exercise-Based Knee and Meniscus Injury Injury Prevention. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2023 Jan;53(1):CPG1-CPG34. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2023.0301. PMID: 36587265.
Arundale AJH, Bizzini M, Giordano A, Hewett TE, Logerstedt DS, Mandelbaum B, Scalzitti DA, Silvers-Granelli H, Snyder-Mackler L. Exercise-Based Knee and Meniscus Injury Injury Prevention. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2018 Sep;48(9):A1-A42. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2018.0303. PMID: 30170521.
Kopkow C, Freiberg A, Kirschner S, Seidler A, Schmitt J. Physical examination tests for the diagnosis of posterior cruciate ligament rupture: a systematic review. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2013 Nov;43(11):804-13. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2013.4906. Epub 2013 Oct 11. PMID: 24175598.
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