DETAILS OF THE BEST TORN MENISCUS SYMPTOMS TEST & TREATMENTS FOR IT

A torn meniscus is known to be the most common injuries of the knee. Any activity which causes a person to forcefully rotate or twist the knee, especially while putting complete pressure on it, can result in torn meniscus. Each of our knees basically has 2 C-shaped cartilage pieces which act like a cushion between the thigh bone and shinbone. 

And so a torn meniscus causes a lot of pain, stiffness and swelling. You might also experience a block in the motion of the knee and have trouble in extending the knee completely. People often want to know about torn meniscus symptoms test and treatment to have a better idea on it, and so if you also want to know, then we got everything covered in this article below.

As you scroll down, you will find out complete details about torn meniscus, such as how its symptoms are tested or diagnosed, what are the treatment options for it and much more. So just continue to read below to check out all the info.

What are the symptoms of torn meniscus?

Before we find out about the torn meniscus symptoms test, let us first look at its signs and symptoms. So if you have a torn meniscus, then it might firstly take 24 hours or even more for swelling and pain to start, especially if the tear is not so big and small. You might start to develop certain symptoms and signs in your knee, including-

1. Stiffness and swelling

2. Feeling like your knee is just giving away

3. A sensation of popping

4. Pain, mainly when you are rotating or twisting your knee

5. Difficulty in straightening your knee completely 

6. Feeling like your knee is locked in place when you are trying to move it

Torn meniscus symptoms test and Diagnosis 

So the diagnosis of a torn meniscus can be identified by a doctor during a physical exam. Your doctor might move your leg and knee into some different positions, will watch you walk and also ask you to do squats to help pinpoint the problem and the cause of your symptoms and signs.

The imaging tests which are performed are as follows-

1. Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI- In this, a strong magnetic field is being used to produce some detailed images of both the soft and hard tissues which are inside your knee. It is definitely one of the best imaging studies to help detect a torn meniscus. 

2. X-Rays- As a torn meniscus is made up of cartilage, it does not really show up on X-Ray. But these can definitely help to rule out any other problem related to the knee which can cause other similar signs and symptoms. 

3. Arthroscopy- In a few cases, your doctor might also use an instrument which is known as an arthroscope for the torn meniscus symptoms test to examine and look at the inside or your knees. This arthroscope is basically inserted near your knee by using a tiny incision. 

This device contains a small camera and a light which actually transmits an enlarged image of the inside of your knee onto a screen or monitor. And so if required, certain surgical instruments can also be inserted using the arthroscope or through some extra  small incisions in your knee in order to repair or trim the tear.

What are the treatment options for Torn Meniscus?

Treatment for a torn meniscus usually starts conservatively, which totally depends on the size, location and type or your tear. Tears which are associated with the arthritis often get improved with time with the help of treatment for the arthritis, and so surgery is usually not indicated. 

A lot of other tears which are associated with locking or blocks to the knee movement become less painful over time, and so they also don’t require any kind of surgery. But your doctor might recommend you to do the following-

1. Icing- This can help to reduce the pain of knees and swelling. You can use a bag of frozen vegetables, a cold pack or a cloth which is filled with ice cubes for at least 15 minutes at a time, while keeping your knee elevated. You need to do this for 4 to 6 hours for the first 2-3 days, and then just do it as often as it is needed.

2. Rest- Taking proper rest is very important. You must avoid activities which increase your knee pain, mainly the ones which require you to twist, pivot or rotate your knee. And if your pain is serious, then using crutches can promote healing and take the pressure off your knees. 

3. Medications- OTC pain relievers and certain medications can also help to ease the pain of your knees and get rid of the stiffness and swelling.

4. Therapy- So physical therapy can also help you a lot in strengthening your muscles which are around the knee and in your legs as well. This will eventually help to support and stabilise the knee joint.

5. Surgery- If the knee remains painful despite doing the rehabilitative therapy or if your knee still locks, then your doctor might recommend you to undergo surgery after going through the results of your torn meniscus symptoms test. It is possible in some cases to repair a torn meniscus, mainly in younger adults and children.

And if the tear is not able to repair,  then the meniscus gets surgically trimmed using an arthroscope through tiny incisions. And after the surgery is done, you will be required to do regular exercises to maintain and increase the stability and strength.

And if by chance you have degenerative and advanced arthritis, then the doctor might even recommend the knee replacement. If people who are young have symptoms and signs after the surgery but do not have advanced arthritis, then the transplant of meniscus is more appropriate. And so surgery basically involves transplanting a meniscus from a cadaver.

Thus, this is complete information on the torn meniscus symptoms test and diagnosis, including the details of best treatments for it!