Meniscus Injury: Episode 39

• In this episode: Meniscus injury. Tears, non tears and types of tears are discussed as well as common signs and treatment options.

• Chip Review: Osem Bamba Peanut snack. Thank you Joan Saliman

• Trivia question of the week: Why are sneakers called sneakers?

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• Thanks for listening!!

Meniscus injury is our topic this week. What does the meniscus do? One of the best explanations I have heard, is from my good friend Dr. Parker. He says the meniscus functions as a gasket. It works to guide movement and provides stability. Probably not as much shock absorptions as we think it might do. It works to protect the cartilage. It helps to increase joint congruency is what a gasket tends to do. Those are the big things. Cushioning is not it’s main function. The main function is kinematical and guiding the direction of movement. The knee is much more complex than just a simple hinge joint.

There is a medial meniscus and a lateral meniscus. So there are 2 pairs in each knee. Then you talk about a blood zone area. There is the outer most area called the Red-Red, red meaning blood flow. A middle 1/3^rd that is called the Red-White and the inner 1/3^rd called the White-White. White-White has minimal if any blood flow at all this comes into play when you start talking about surgery and healing potential.

Biggest signs with meniscus injury are pain, swelling, some people experience locking or catching depending on the type of tear they are dealing with. Generally range of motion loss is a huge one. Because the knee is either full with fluid or because something is stopping the range from bending, straightening or both. Yes, it can be pain but it can also be painful and then go away for a little bit. Depending on the size of the tear, the location of the tear, your activity level.

Meniscus tear is a very, very common injury. You don’t have to tear it for it to feel not particularly good. You can have a lot of compression on it and bruise your knee and bruise you meniscus so to speak.

Similar topics:

Patella Femoral Pain Syndrome: Episode 32

Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS): Episode 9

Knee Pain: Episode 2