Question 1

What are the structures inside the knee?

Accepted Answer

The knee is a hinge joint made up of many structures including:
Ligaments – There are 2 main ligaments inside the knee which provide support. These are the anterior (acl) and posterior cruciate ligament (pcl).
Cartilage – the knee is coated in a smooth bearing surface (articular cartilage) to allow it to glide easily.
Meniscus – Consisting of the medial (inner) and lateral (outer) meniscus these structures help the knee bend and rotate, as well as acting as shock absorbers.

Question 2

How does the meniscus get injured?

Accepted Answer

Usually this is caused by a twisting type injury. Sometimes it results from a more complex injury where other structures are damaged.

Question 3

How can you tell if I have sustained a tear?

Accepted Answer

The mechanism of injury may suggest a tear. You may experience sharp pain on either side of the knee, feel clicking or catching and sometimes the knee can lock. Clinical examination may reproduce this, but in some cases a MRI scan is needed to confirm the diagnosis.

Question 4

How is it treated?

Accepted Answer

When your symptoms fail to settle with other measures (e.g. physiotherapy) then key-hole surgery (arthroscopy) is performed. At surgery the meniscus is examined and where a tear is found, it will be treated by either trimming the torn portion or by suture repair.

Question 5

Can all tears be repaired?

Accepted Answer

The meniscus has poor healing qualities and so therefore only tears close to the blood supply can be repaired.

Question 6

How is a tear repaired?

Accepted Answer

Through the keyhole incisions made in your knee, very fine sutures are passed across the tear and a knot tied.

About Nick Boyce Cam

About Nick Boyce Cam

About Nick Boyce Cam

About Nick Boyce Cam

Nick Boyce Cam

Cheshire Hip and Knee Clinic

Meniscal Tear