Clicking knee

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.