Meniscal Injury

The knee joint is a complicated joint made up of many ligaments, muscles, four bones, three joints, cartilage and two Menisci. Menisci are used in various joints in the body to increase the joint’s congruency while allowing some shock absorption. There are two Menisci in each knee, a Lateral (away from the midline) Meniscus and a Medial (towards the midline) Meniscus.

The Menisci of the knee are the most commonly injured Menisci in the body, and one of the most common knee injuries, especially in adults participating in sport. Meniscal injuries usually occur when the knee is twisted under load, for example, when a basketball player suddenly pivots or when a football player receives a hard tackle. However, an injury may occur by something as simple as getting up too quickly from a squat. The incidence of Meniscal injury is higher for the Medial Meniscus, as it attaches more firmly to the knee. The meniscus can also wear and tear over time, with some tears showing up on MRI scans of people who have no pain or problems in their knee at all.

Characteristics Clinical presentation for Medial meniscus injury:

• Tenderness at one point over the medial joint line
• Pain in the area of the medial joint line during hyperextension of the knee joint
• Pain in the area of the medial joint line during hyperflexion of the knee joint
• Pain during external rotation of the foot 

Characteristics/ Clinical presentation for Lateral Meniscus injury

• tenderness at one point over the lateral joint line;
• pain in the area of the lateral joint line during hyperextension of the knee joint;
• pain in the area of the lateral joint line during hyperflexion of the knee joint
• pain during internal rotation of the foot and the lower leg when the knee is flexed at different angles

Physiotherapy management for Meniscal Injury

In York-med Physiotherapy, our registered physiotherapists will take a comprehensive history of your knee injury to make a correct diagnosis. The physical examination will look specifically at the knee and the surrounding hip, knee, and ankle to find the best possible treatment plan for you. For minor meniscal tears, treatment will normally involve manual therapy and electrotherapy to settle your pain and return your knee to the full range of movement. You will also receive a strengthening program to prevent further injury and return you to full function.