A sharp pain on the knee associated with swelling
and a clicking noise can be a meniscus tear. This is the common sporty injury.
However, the tear can occur in a traumatic incident on the knee. A meniscus
tear refers to rapture of a fibrocartilage that play a role in holding the knee
joint in a stable position.
Mechanism of Meniscus tear
There are various ways in which the fibrocartilage
can be torn: a traumatic force during a sporty event can be the cause, in an accident,
the twisting movement of the knee while it is in a bent position and lastly it
can be by pure wear and tear due to old age.
Signs and Symptoms
Pain on the knee- this pain is severe on weigh
bearing or movement but when it’s rested, the pain subsides. Also there is an
associated swelling on the particular knee.
Clicking sound- as the patient moves, the joint
makes a sound and there is limitation in stretching the knee fully. The patient
can also remember a particular incident that brought about the symptoms
Treatment
Depending on the type of the tear, a small tear can
be managed by elevating the affected leg, physiotherapy, ant- inflammatory
drugs and knee cap to hold the joint firmly.
Surgery
It can be
done partially or completely a procedure commonly referred to as Arthroscopy.
Surgery is not recommended to patients whose cause
for the tear is degenerative, unless there is locking of the knee and severe
pains.
