Knee Meniscus And Ligament Tear

What is Knee Meniscus And Ligament Tear?

The knee joint is a complex joint that transmits the weight of the trunk and upper thigh to the feet.
It has an intricate system of stabilizing ligaments and complex motions.
Many would argue that it is the most complicated joint in the body for the range of subtle motions that it effortlessly promotes to achieve ambulation.
Injuries to the knee ligaments and tendons are often the result of trauma.
At the core of the joint, there are two crisscrossing ligaments that promote stability in the forward and backward positions.
These are called the cruciate ligaments, anterior thin, and posterior thick.
Rotational injuries such as those during skiing can cause a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament.
The posterior thicker cruciate ligament is injured commonly in motor vehicle accidents, when the knee strikes the dashboard, or during football when the players knee strikes the ground with force.
Injuries to meniscus and injuries to lateral or side with supporting, collateral ligaments can also occur from sports and other trauma.
These ligaments however also have a natural degeneration over time.
The meniscus surrounds the knee and allows for the joint to move within the confines of its range of motion.
These can degenerate over time and can also be injured in trauma, especially in rotational forces.
Diagnosis involves a detailed history and physical combined with detailed imaging such as an MRI or a CAT scan.
Treatment options will often begin with conservative management, rest, ice, compression, elevation, physical therapy, and muscle strengthening, followed by image-guided injections.
In many cases the patient will benefit from knee steroid injections ( in acute injury), as well as regenerative medicine: PRP (platelet rich plasma) and stem cells therapy.
Surgical options remain for those conditions that are not amenable to physical therapy or injections.