The inner meniscus, like the outer meniscus, lies in the knee joint and acts as a buffer between the thigh and lower leg bones by distributing the forces acting on the knee evenly. The inner meniscus is C-shaped and slightly larger than the outer meniscus. It is also fused to the inner ligament and joint capsule, which restricts its freedom of movement. As a result, the inner meniscus is more susceptible to injuries, since it is under greater tension during movement due to the restriction.
Symptoms
The symptoms of an inner meniscus injury can vary from patient to patient. If it is a trauma, for example caused by an accident or an injury during sports, an inner meniscus tear is often associated with severe pain. Other symptoms include restricted movement of the knee joint, swelling on the inside of the knee, painful pressure when touched or pain when it occurs.
A tear often goes unnoticed at first and can manifest itself, for example, as pain after stress or after long periods of rest. A slight cracking and crunching can often be heard when the meniscus is injured and the knee is bent. An injury to the inner meniscus can also mean that the leg can no longer be completely stretched or bent. If the injury is not treated, it can lead to arthrosis in the knee joint in the long term. Affected persons often describe a feeling of instability in the knee joint.
Treatment
An injured inner meniscus can be treated both conservatively and surgically. In conservative treatment, pain and inflammation-relieving drugs are used, the knee joint is relieved and the healing of the inner meniscus is promoted with the help of physiotherapeutic techniques. If, on the other hand, surgery is necessary, there are various procedures that can be considered: Meniscus suturing: The inner meniscus is sutured in a minimally invasive procedure Meniscus resection: The damaged meniscus is completely or partially removed Meniscus transplant: The meniscus is replaced by an artificial graft Regardless of the procedure, physiotherapeutic treatment is essential for a successful healing process. Strengthening, stability, mobility and stretching exercises are used to restore the knee’s resilience and eliminate pain and movement restrictions.
- Meniscus suture: The inner meniscus is sutured using a minimally invasive procedure
- Meniscus resection: The damaged meniscus is completely or partially removed
- Meniscus transplant: The meniscus is replaced by an artificial graft.
