Meniscal Injuries

The meniscus is one of the most frequently injured structures in the knee. Meniscal damage may occur in any age group, but the reason for each age group is different. In young people, the meniscus is very tough, rubbery, and usually split with damage due to very strong distortion. In younger age groups, meniscal tears are more likely to be caused by motor activity (Sutton, 1999). In elderly people, the meniscus becomes weaker with age. The tissues that make up the meniscus deteriorate, making it easier to split.

The most common symptoms of meniscal damage are snoring and locks. The clicking sound is an audible or palpable sensation that is normally caused by the tearing of the meniscus debris rubbing the femoral condyle. The lock is to mechanically block the entire range of motion. The most common cause of knee locking is that the injured meniscal debris is trapped between the femoral condyle and the tibial plateau, limiting full extension (Booher, 2000). It is important to perform a physical examination after filling out an accurate medical history, such as examination, palpation, functional examination, ligament examination, special examination. The main results of the physical examination of the meniscal tear player were as follows: joint fluid exudation, tenderness of the medial and lateral joints, limited extension in the last few degrees, positive McMurray test and Apley positive compression test. (Lincoln, 1998)

Because symptoms may be limited or blurred, it is often difficult to identify cartilage damage during the initial assessment. Therefore, it is very important to obtain detailed and accurate history of meniscal damage. In many cases, suspicion of meniscal damage is only seen historically. Along with the mechanism of injury, athletes may feel pain due to rupture or tearing when injured. Pain and swelling are usually located along the inner and outer joint lines. Athlete may also complain that the knee is "loose" or bent. It is often difficult to walk up and down and squatting can be painful. Swelling associated with meniscal damage is usually caused by synovial stimulation and progresses within a few hours (Booher, 2000).