Pain in the knee is often due to the menisci. You can find out here how to classify pain in the meniscus and what type of knee pain indicates a meniscus tear.
The knee joint is a multifunctional rotary hinge joint and consists of several sub-parts. The knee joint is held in place by the kneecap (patella). Other bones are the shin bone (tibia) and the thigh bone (femur). The two menisci lie between the lower leg and thigh bones, with a distinction being made between the outer meniscus and the inner meniscus. The unevenness of the meeting bones are compensated with the help of the menisci. Normally, the pressure in the knee can be optimally distributed.
Meniscus injuries are particularly common in ambitious endurance and competitive sports . But a meniscus tear cannot be ruled out in other situations either. If there is an involuntary rotation while running, it can happen that the cartilage tissue tears.
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Interpret knee pain correctly
A non-round movement and the pain shoots up in the knee. Many people have probably experienced a situation like this before. You can differentiate knee pain based on whether it occurs in the rear, front or side area. Above all, pain on the inside and outside of the knee indicates meniscus damage. In addition, there are also different types of tears such as a lobe-shaped, basket-handle-like, transverse, horizontal or vertical meniscus tear.
A meniscus tear is primarily indicated by severe, stabbing pain in the knee . It may also be that the joint space of the knee joint is swollen and your knee feels warm. It is also possible that you will feel a blockage in the knee joint, so that it can no longer be fully bent or straightened. Your knee joint may also feel unstable or occasionally pop.
All of these symptoms can indicate a meniscus tear and should definitely be examined by a doctor.
Causes of meniscus pain
Meniscus pain is either due to excessive physical exertion or to the natural physical aging process. Over the course of life, the tissue that makes up the menisci loses elasticity and stability. In addition, abrupt turning movements during sports can cause pain and tears in the meniscus.
If the pain persists for a longer period of time, you should always consult a specialist. Have your family doctor refer you to an orthopedist. If necessary, the orthopedist will make the diagnosis using an MRI . An MRI can be used to accurately diagnose which area of the knee joint is damaged. If it is only a meniscus contusion, you can treat it conservatively, i.e. with ointments, warm blankets or physiotherapy. Homeopathic remedies can also help relieve meniscus pain.
Sport after a meniscus injury
Every case weighs differently and every person has a different perception of pain. Therefore, the question of whether you should do sports with meniscus pain or which pain is still in the normal range cannot be generalized. In any case, you should avoid jumping sports, as the strain here is too great. Jumping sports include volleyball and tennis, for example. You should also avoid jogging immediately after a meniscus injury, as many paths are not at ground level and the risk of the injury getting worse is even greater there.
Sport is possible after a meniscus operation , as long as the meniscus allows it and your doctor recommends it. You only have to walk on crutches for a few days and can or should definitely start exercising again after appropriate physiotherapy treatment. If you don’t want to take any risks, it is advisable to go for a walk every day, especially at the beginning, as this is also conducive to rapid healing.
If there is degenerative damage such as arthrosis , you should strengthen your muscles through targeted strength training under physiotherapeutic guidance in order to stabilize your knee and support your joints. You can also use cold compresses and anti-inflammatory drugs, ointments or food to reduce swelling in the joint . You can also resume light running , but be careful never to get into an area where it becomes painful. Sufficient exercise is the only way to ensure that you can maintain your independence in old age and remain pain-free.
