How Does a Meniscus Tear Occur?
Meniscus tears are incredibly common types of knee injuries, particularly among athletes who play contact sports.
The meniscus can tear from acute trauma (e.g. a sudden twist, repeated squatting, heavy lifting) or as a result of degenerative changes (e.g. wear and tear, osteoarthritis) over time among older adults.
Meniscus tears can range from mild to severe, and can be classified into a medial tear or a lateral tear, depending on the location of injury.
Dr Sean Ng is experienced in treating knee injuries for over a decade, including a torn meniscus. Seek medical attention should you experience any symptoms.
Contact UsHow Do I Know if I Tore My Meniscus?
In acute injuries, common symptoms of a torn meniscus include pain, swelling, locking, instability and stiffness of the knee, particularly when weight is placed on the knee or when the knee is rotated. A popping sound at the knee may also be heard when the injury first occurred.
However, meniscus tears resulting from degenerative changes may not always present with noticeable symptoms.
Depending on the severity of the injury, some people may still be able to walk with a torn meniscus. However, initial functionality can be misleading as sometimes it takes a few days for the full impact to set in.
What are Some Common Types of Meniscus Tears?
The most common type of meniscus tear is the radial tear, which occurs at the area of the meniscus with no blood supply, making it difficult to heal on its own. Other types include:
- Horizontal Tear
- Flap Tear
- Complex Tear
- Bucket-Handle Tear
- Incomplete/Intrasubstance Tear
Diagnosing a Torn Meniscus
After your orthopaedic doctor asks you a series of questions about the onset of symptoms and any past knee injuries you had; diagnostic tests performed include:
- Physical Examination | To check for location and severity of pain, range of motion, as well as stability of the knee.
- Imaging Tests | An X-ray or MRI scan to view the internal structures of the knee clearly and confirm the diagnosis.
Once a diagnosis is determined, a personalised and effective treatment plan will be recommended for you.
contact us
Cove Orthopaedic Clinic is dedicated to helping patients bounce back optimally from their meniscus injuries and safely resume their active lifestyles.
For a detailed assessment and personalised advice, simply reach out to us today.Speak to us at 9631 7637 to find out how we can help you today.
Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre3 Mount Elizabeth #14-13, Singapore 228510
Farrer Park Medical Centre1 Farrer Park Station Road, #11-10Connexion, Singapore 217562
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