Medial Meniscus Tear
Medial meniscus tears are, unfortunately, a fairly common occurance
with sports injuries. Both the medial meniscus and lateral meniscus can
be injured playing sports. Is there a difference in the two, and is one
worse than the other...read on to find out more about tears of the
The Medial Meniscus
The medial meniscus sits on
the inside portion of the tibia. (In general, medial means towards the
midline, lateral means away from the midline). It is a C shape, and
allows for shock absorbtion and increased depth of the
articulation between the femur and the tibia.
Because the medial meniscus is "C" shaped, and not as circular as the
lateral meniscus, it may be more susceptible to tears. The lateral
meniscus is more of a circular shape, and allows for less motion of the
Another reason the medial meniscus may be torn more often is the type
of forces that often produce meniscus tears. These forces involve
a pivot shift type of mechanism, in which the foot is planted and then
pivoted on, while the knee twists. This type of motion often places
much more stress on the medial structures of the knee, and will result
in a tear of the medial meniscus. This is also the classic mechanism
for an ACL Knee Injury.
The symptoms of a torn medial meniscus
are going to be very similiar to
a lateral meniscus tear. The primary difference is increased tenderness
or soreness along the medial side of the knee.
Swelling, pain, clicking, popping, and loss of range of motion are also
very common symptoms of a torn medial meniscus.
Treatment of a torn medial meniscus center around controlling the
initial swelling and inflammation process through the use of R.I.C.E.
Mensicus tears can cause significant loss of range of motion, as well
as swelling and pain. These symptoms may subside after a few days or
weeks, to return with athletic activity, or prolonged time on your
feet. If you think you may have suffered a meniscus tear, you should
see your family physician for evaluation.
Learn more about treating meniscus tears
Medial meniscus tears are common sports injuries, and may require
surgery, depending on your symptoms. Understanding the symptoms and
acute treatment principles can help you decide if you need to see your
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