Introduction
The meniscus contusion represents a rather harmless variant of the meniscus injury. The meniscus is only bruised by an accident or incorrect loading, but does not tear. Therefore, a pure meniscus contusion usually does not require surgery, but a conservative therapy is sufficient.
Symptoms
The typical symptoms of a meniscus contusion are very similar to those of a torn meniscus. First of all the symptoms are typical. This includes rather sharp, stabbing pain on the inside or outside of the knee, depending on the meniscus affected.
These can be intensified by pressure on the knee and by certain movement sequences, as described in the diagnosis. If the pain persists for a longer period of time, it may become duller and extend to the entire joint. The formation of a joint effusion is also possible with a meniscus contusion.
In contrast to a rupture of the meniscus, bruising usually results in less restriction of mobility. These restrictions are caused by a torn meniscus, because the meniscus parts can move in the joint space. If there is a restriction of movement in the case of a meniscus contusion, it is usually only due to the painfulness of the movement itself and has no mechanical origin.
Complaints when walking on stairs are typical here. Even in the case of a meniscus contusion, however, problems can occur if it persists for a long time. These include, for example, relieving postures or overexerting the muscles by intuitively trying to reduce the load on the affected knee.
Causes
The causes of a meniscus contusion do not differ significantly from those of other damages to the meniscus. In most cases, the cause is incorrect strain, for example in sports or physical work. Both a long lasting strain over time can lead to damage of the meniscus.
But also an acute accident, or knee loading at an unfavorable angle, can damage the meniscus by a single impact. In most cases the load is not as strong with a pure meniscus squeeze, or the kind of the influence was not so unfavorable, as with the emergence of a meniscus tear. In addition, the normal aging process often occurs. Due to wear and tear during life and a deterioration in the strength of the cartilage, the majority of people in old age have smaller tears or bruises on the meniscus, which usually occur without any particular cause. Also the blood circulation and supply of the meniscus is usually worse in old age, which favors injuries.
