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Meniscus Tear: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
What is the Meniscus?
The meniscus is a C-shaped cartilage located in the knee joint between the femur and tibia. Each knee has two menisci:
• Medial meniscus
• Lateral meniscus
The meniscus functions to:
• Absorb shock
• Reduce friction
• Improve knee stability
• Distribute load across the joint
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What is a Meniscus Tear?
A meniscus tear is an injury that occurs when the cartilage tears due to excessive force or sudden movement, causing pain and limited movement.
It is one of the most common knee injuries.
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Causes
Common causes include:
• Sudden twisting of the knee
• Rapid change in direction
• Sports activities
• Improper squatting
• Heavy lifting
• Direct knee trauma
• Age-related degeneration
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Risk Factors
Risk factors include:
• Sports participation
• Weak thigh muscles
• Knee instability
• Lack of warm-up
• Aging
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Symptoms
Symptoms include:
• Knee pain
• Knee swelling
• Limited movement
• Knee stiffness
• Locking sensation
• Difficulty walking
• Knee weakness
Symptoms may appear immediately or gradually.
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Diagnosis
Diagnosis includes:
• Clinical examination
• Special meniscus tests
• MRI – gold standard
• X-ray to rule out other conditions
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Treatment
Treatment depends on tear severity and location.
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Physiotherapy Treatment
Physiotherapy helps:
• Reduce pain
• Reduce swelling
• Improve mobility
• Strengthen muscles
• Improve stability
• Restore function
Includes:
• Strengthening exercises
• Range of motion exercises
• Balance exercises
• Stability exercises
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Conservative Treatment
Includes:
• Rest
• Activity modification
• Cold therapy
• Anti-inflammatory medications
Role of Physiotherapy After Surgery
Physiotherapy helps:
• Restore mobility
• Strengthen muscles
• Improve stability
• Return to normal activity
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Recovery Time
Recovery varies depending on severity, but typically:
• Initial recovery in weeks
• Full recovery in 4–8 weeks or more
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Prevention
Prevention includes:
• Strengthening thigh muscles
• Regular exercise
• Proper warm-up
• Avoid sudden movements
• Proper movement techniques
