Meniscus Rupture

What Is a Meniscus Rupture?

A meniscus rupture is the tearing of one or even both menisci of the knee joint. An inner meniscus injury (meniscus medialis) is significantly more frequent than that of the outer meniscus (meniscus lateralis).

What Are the Causes of a Meniscus Rupture?

A distinction must be made between meniscus ruptures caused by degeneration and those caused by an injury.

Degeneration: due to wear, a meniscus becomes less resistant with age, which favors degeneration-related meniscus rupture, especially in occupational groups that put a lot of stress on their knees.

Injury: When the menisci are stressed in an abnormal direction when a heavy physical load is applied from an oblique direction, overload often occurs, resulting in a rupture. These so-called rotational fall injuries are typical in accidents while skiing or playing soccer.

Meniscus Rupture Symptoms

Meniscus ruptures are often asymptomatic. They usually manifest as deficits in the knee joint's extension and flexion movements, accompanied by severe pain in the back of the knee and the sides of the damaged meniscus under physical load. The pain sometimes spreads into the tibia. Another possible symptom is joint lock caused by freely moving, torn meniscus parts.

How Is Meniscus Damage Diagnosed?

If a meniscus rupture is suspected, a physical examination is initially carried out to test whether and where pain occurs by putting pressure on the outer and inner meniscus. Furthermore, the knee joint mobility and the pain sensitivity of the knee joint space are examined.

Suppose the initial suspicion of a meniscus rupture is confirmed. In that case, further examinations such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or arthroscopy (joint endoscopy) are performed to obtain a more precise picture of the damage.

In some cases, X-ray and ultrasound examinations are also performed in advance to assess adjacent structures' involvement.

How Is a Meniscus Rupture Treated?

Conservative: smaller tears in the suitable blood-supplied outer meniscus often do not require surgical therapy. These are treated with a combination of pain medication, cooling, rest, and physiotherapy.

Surgical: the goal of meniscus surgery is to preserve as much meniscal tissue as possible and restore mobility. Depending on the damage, either a minimally invasive surgery with meniscus suture or removal of torn parts or open surgery in case of additional damage to adjacent ligaments or the joint capsule is carried out.

When Does Surgery Have to Be Carried Out?

If conservative therapy is not successful, surgery is still an option. Generally, surgery is indicated for larger tears and damage to the inner, less blood-supplied meniscus, and torn portions of the meniscus in the joint.

How Long Does it Take to Heal from a Meniscus Rupture?

The duration of healing depends on the individual case. The size of the tear and the extent of the damage are the decisive factors. Recovery takes several weeks to months with conservative therapy.

In the case of surgical treatment, weight-bearing on the knee is possible after about 6 weeks, but sports should not be resumed until after a three-month rest period at the earliest.

Which Medical Specialists and Clinics Are Specialists for Diagnosis and Treatment?

Doctors from the field of orthopedics and surgery specializing in knee surgery, sports medicine, and trauma surgery are particularly suitable for diagnosing and treating a meniscus rupture. They are often based in the relevant orthopedic specialist clinics and practices.

We can help you find an expert for your condition. All doctors and clinics listed have been reviewed by us for their outstanding specialization in meniscus ruptures and are awaiting your inquiry or treatment request.

Sources:

Breitner, Burghard: Chirurgische Operationslehre. 2. Auflage. München: Lehmanns Media /Elsevier, 1996

Strobel, Michael und Stedtfeld, Hans-Werner: Diagnostik des Kniegelenks. 2. Auflage. Berlin; Heidelberg, New York: Springer Verlag, 1991