The best treatment for your meniscus complaints

The knee joint contains crescent-shaped cartilage discs on the inside and outside, also known as the 'menisci'. The menisci function as shock absorbers of the knee and play an important role in stabilizing the knee joint.

Causes of meniscus complaints

Meniscus injury can occur acutely (after trauma) or as a result of an (accelerated) aging process as a result of overuse, also known as degeneration. It is also possible to sustain meniscus damage while rising from a kneeling position. This may be accompanied by a shooting pain deep in the knee.

Torn meniscus

A torn meniscus is an injury often seen in athletes. But a torn meniscus also often occurs in people who bend over a lot, such as pavers and plumbers. A torn meniscus is usually caused by rotating quickly on a bent knee, often with the foot placed flat on the ground. When a meniscus tears, it is often accompanied by intense pain in the knee and swelling in the first 24 hours after the injury.

Complaints of meniscus injury

Below are a number of common complaints with meniscal injuries:

• Pain at the knee (on the side of the tear)
• Swelling of the knee (hydrops)
• Experiencing lock complaints of the knee and difficulty bending or stretching
• Having the feeling of bending in the knees while walking, the knee gives an 'unreliable' feeling.

Treatment of the meniscus

Based on an interview and physical examination, it can be determined whether there is involvement of the meniscus. The physiotherapist will inform you about the nature of your knee complaint and, if applicable, draw up a targeted treatment plan.

If there is a partial tear in the meniscus, physiotherapeutic rehabilitation may be useful. During therapy, particular attention is paid to stabilizing, mobilizing and muscle strengthening exercises to get the structures around the knee joint in optimal condition. The practice room within the practice offers plenty of opportunities to train under expert guidance. If physiotherapy does not achieve sufficient results or there is doubt about the severity of the injury or the diagnosis, keyhole surgery or MRI may be indicated. If this is the case, your GP or orthopedist will be contacted in consultation.

At Physiotherapy Iburg you can also receive rehabilitation after a so-called 'meniscectomy' (removal of torn or loose parts of the meniscus) or 'arthroscopy' (keyhole surgery).