02 9252 5770

Book now

Request a call back

Chat to Us

Sydney’s expert Physio team for over 15 years.
Sydney Physio Solutions
  • About Us
  • Services
    • Physiotherapy
    • Telehealth Appointments
    • Pilates / Exercise Classes
    • Sports Injury Treatment
    • Massage Therapy
    • Men’s Health Physiotherapy
    • Women’s Health Physiotherapy
  • Programs
    • Building Better Backs
  • Locations
    • Macquarie Street
    • Castlereagh Street
  • Benefits
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Videos
    • Physiotherapy News
    • Press & Media
  • BOOK NOW
  • 02 9252 5770
  • About Us
  • Services
    • Physiotherapy
    • Telehealth Appointments
    • Pilates / Exercise Classes
    • Sports Injury Treatment
    • Massage Therapy
    • Men’s Health Physiotherapy
    • Women’s Health Physiotherapy
  • Programs
    • Building Better Backs
  • Locations
    • Macquarie Street
    • Castlereagh Street
  • Benefits
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Videos
    • Physiotherapy News
    • Press & Media
  • BOOK NOW
  • 02 9252 5770
September 10, 2014  |  By Dr Brad McIntosh In Common Injuries, Knee Pain, Physiotherapy, Running

The Knee – Meniscus Injury

What is it?

  • The meniscus is a crescent-shaped fibrocartilage structure located within the knee joint
  • There is both a medial meniscus located on the inside of the knee and a lateral meniscus located on the outside
  • The menisci’s role is to absorb shock and distribute load at the knee joint

Meniscus diagram

How is it caused?

  • Most commonly meniscal injuries are from a twisting mechanism
  • Can be degenerative or traumatic
  • Degenerative tears are more common in the older population but can also be due to repetitive overload
  • Traumatic tears are more common with athletes and more commonly medial injuries

Symptoms:

  • Swelling and stiffness
  • Pain especially when trying to bend or twist the knee
  • Knee instability and giving way
  • Locking, popping or catching

knee bone diagram

What can be done to alleviate pain?

  • Rest, ice, compression , elevation
  • Strapping
  • Avoid aggravating activities
  • Guided strengthening programme to reduce meniscal overload
  • If tear is large may need MRI and onward referral to Orthopaedic surgeon for arthroscopic repair/debridement

Chances of requiring surgery?

  • Depends on size and location of the tear.  The meniscus has a poor blood supply; especially in the inner portion so if the tear is small and on the outer portion it will have a better chance of healing

Interesting facts

  • The medial collateral ligament of the knee has some attachments to the medial meniscus. It is for this reason, that people may experience a meniscus and ligamentous injury simultaneously

More information

  • The menisci have a relatively poor blood supply, with the outer portion, often known as the “red zone”, being the most vascularized. If the tear is small (<3mm) and located on the outer portion of the meniscus it has a better chance of healing than a tear that extends to an area with a poorer blood supply

At Sydney Physiotherapy Solutions our highly qualified physiotherapists specialise in the assessment, treatment and prevention of neuromusculoskeletal injuries.

Contact us today – 9252 5770

Author

Dr Brad McIntosh

Although he is one of the most experienced and sought after Doctors of Physiotherapy in Australia, Brad makes all his patients feel like they are #1.

He also leads his team of caring reception staff and expert physiotherapists with the same degree of passion, which is why Sydney Physio Solutions has built the outstanding reputation it has.

Managing Director BSc (ExSci) MPT (Physio) DPT (Physio) CSCS APAM MSMA

See author's posts

Share this:
Previous StoryRunning Strollers
Next StoryRunning Injury Free

Related Articles

  • My Advice: Stop that running injury before it happens!
  • Why Do Runners Need a Strong Core?

Book Online

Make A Booking

ABOUT US

Sydney Physiotherapy Solutions is trusted for the knowledge and experience of it’s staff members. We have physiotherapists who are experts in specific areas of the body so if you are searching for a physiotherapist, see an expert, not a generalist.

We have two physiotherapy clinics in Sydney CBD. All our clinics are staffed by highly qualified and expert physiotherapists whose motivation is to find the cause of your problem & return you to pre-injury fitness as soon as possible.

CATEGORIES

ARCHIVES

Contact Form

    MACQUARIE STREET

    Sydney Physiotherapy Solutions
    Level 1, 139 Macquarie Street
    Sydney 2000
    Tel : 02 9252 5770
    reception@ssop.com.au

    CASTLEREAGH STREET

    Sydney Physiotherapy Solutions
    Level 8, 155 Castlereagh Street
    Sydney 2000
    Tel : 02 9264 4153
    castlereagh@ssop.com.au

     

    Australian PhysioTherapy Association
    cq5dam.thumbnail

    © Copyright 2022 Sydney Physiotherapy Solutions. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy

    Request a call back