Meniscus damage

Sport, work, stress and injury do not only damage the joint surfaces. Cartilage-based fibrous rings in the knee, which look like a crescent-shaped discs – the meniscus – are designed to limit extreme movements of the joint. As such, they also underlie the heavy loads on the joints. The effect of sudden force can additionally lead to the fact that the meniscus tissue tears. Chronic overload can also lead to meniscal tissue damage, which results in tears later on. In severe cases, torn meniscus parts can enter into the joint and this often leads to stress-related pain or even temporary blockages. The diagnosis is usually carried out by clinical examination – possibly supplemented by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Symptoms: At the moment in which the meniscus tears, sudden and severe pains usually occur in the knee. Depending on the severity of the injury, discomfort arises later on when stress is applied to the joint or the normal range of motion is blocked. The knee sometimes swells up visibly.

Therapy: In the case of meniscus injuries conservative therapies only seldom bring about the desired success. With the aid of arthroscopic operations it is mostly possible to relieve the discomfort and restore the functionality of the joint. The usual procedures include partial meniscectomy and meniscal repair, which we carry out, especially in the case of younger patients. As the case may be, only a few cases require open surgery. These relate to complex injuries where there are also injuries to ligaments or tendons.