We are busy people who are on the go. Do you know how many steps you take everyday? No matter where you are headed, your knees are helping take you there.
The meniscus of your knee is an amazing shock absorber. Each knee has two menisci that are located between the thighbone and shinbone. This C-shaped cartilage stabilizes your knee joint and absorbs the shock and pressure of each step you take. As a weight bearing cartilage, the meniscus stands up to a lot in our everyday activities, which makes it vulnerable to injury.
Meniscal tears are one of the most common knee injuries – especially in athletes. These tears can occur suddenly from a fall or sports injury or a tear may be the result of degeneration of the cartilage over time. Whatever the cause, be aware of these common signs of a torn meniscus.
- Knee pain, especially when rotating or twisting the knee
- Stiffness in the knee joint
- Swelling around the knee
- A “catching” sensation in the knee
- Inability to fully extend or fully bend the knee joint
Symptoms may show up suddenly when the injury occurs or may take several hours to develop. Because these symptoms can occur with other knee injuries, you should make an appointment to have your knee evaluated for a proper diagnosis.
Left untreated, a torn meniscus can lead to more serious conditions such as arthritis or part of the torn cartilage moving into the knee joint. Dr. DiGiulio will examine your knee, evaluate your symptoms, and consider your past medical history to make an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
Each step in our day takes us somewhere. The menisci in our knees are an integral part in getting us there.
Milan M. DiGiulio, M.D. offers comprehensive orthopedic care for you and your entire family, specializing in Sports Medicine and arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder and knee. Dr. DiGiulio performs over 200 arthroscopic shoulder and knee surgeries each year, using the most advanced surgical technology. Dr. DiGiulio is an advocate of non-invasive, non-surgical treatment options such as Physical Therapy and Orthobiologics.
