Torn Cartilage in Knee

Knee injuries are an inevitable part of contact sports. There are a lot of bad challenges, bad landings and excessive pressure that falls on the knee over the course of a contact sport. But the problem of a torn cartilage in knee is not only restricted to athletes and can happen to anyone. So here's a comprehensive article on a torn cartilage in knee for everyone.

Overview and Causes of Torn Cartilage in Knee

The human body is indeed a complex thing, and the knee is no exception. The knee is a joint, yes, where the tibia (shin bone) and the femur (thigh bone) meet. There is also the patella (knee cap) which protects the joint from direct damage. There are also ligaments which tie one bone to another-in this case the femur to the tibia and the patella to the knee-and tendons which tie the muscles to the bones. There is also the cartilage, known as the meniscus which acts as a shock absorbing mechanism in the knee. So there could be quite a few types of injuries in there. And one of the most common knee injury which people have to face is the torn cartilage in knee.

What causes a torn cartilage in knee? There are two main reasons why the meniscus tears. The first is due to aging and wear and tear of the cartilage. This case is fairly common among people who are above 50 years of age. The second cause of meniscus tear is when due to excessive pressure, perhaps because of a bad landing or a bad twist in the knee, is applied to the cartilage, which causes it to tear.

The most signs of torn cartilage in knee include a swelling in and around the knee, accompanied with meniscus pain while walking or otherwise using the knee. The second common symptom of torn cartilage in knee includes 'joint locking'. Joint locking is a condition where a person finds it difficult to bend and straighten the knee as the torn cartilage gets lodged with the knee joint.

If you are above 50 and have suffered from an kind of cartilage damage in the knee, it is advisable to avoid wearing high heels. There are chances of the patella rubbing against the femur due to low collagen around the patella, which is common amongst old people. This can lead to Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, which can be avoided by not overexerting while climbing/ descending slopes and not wearing high heels.

Torn Cartilage in Knee Treatment

So now the damage is done. Now what do you do? The most common form of treatment for a torn cartilage in knee is the R.I.C.E. method. R.I.C.E. is the acronym for rest, ice, compression and elevation. Make sure that you do not apply too much effort or pressure on the knee when it is injured. Keep the knee rested as much as you can. Apply ice for 20 minutes 2-3 times a day for the first 3 days. Make sure that you do not apply the ice directly, but with an ice pack or cover the ice in a piece of cloth. Direct application of ice may cause ice burns and skin damage. For the first 2-3 days avoid bringing the injured area in contact with any form of heat or pressure. The non-operative torn cartilage in knee recovery time is around 6 weeks. Read on for meniscus tear recovery time.

But then again, in case of a severe tear in the meniscus, the doctor may advise a meniscus tear surgery as it may not be able to heal itself. Meniscus surgeries are of two main types. The first one is called the meniscus repair which is done in case the tear is sustained in the part of the meniscus where there is blood supply as the blood supply will help it in healing. The other type of surgery is known as meniscectomy which is performed when the part of the meniscus is torn where there is no blood supply. There is also another meniscus transplant surgery for torn cartilage in knee where the torn meniscus is removed and a new meniscus is put in its place. After a surgery, the person may have to walk with crutches for 3 months. The torn cartilage recovery time after a surgery can be anywhere from 4-6 months followed by physiotherapy sessions in which you do a range of knee exercises to strengthen the knee. Training for contact sports can commence only after 6-8 months after receiving the go-ahead from the doctor.

So this was all about a torn cartilage in knee. Proper care should be taken while you are recovering to ensure quick recovery. If the doctor's advise is not followed, the recovery time will be further lengthened.