More about Cartilage Damage

Meniscal injuries are often called cartilage damage and they often require surgery as they do not heal well. This is because they have a poor blood supply and once damaged are not capable of repair. One of the challenges of being a therapist for me has been determining whether or not to immediately refer a patient with a meniscal injury for surgery.

If the situation is clear and there is severe cartilage damage with a whacking great meniscal injury involving locking, swelling and pain then no prizes for whether to refer this one. The ones I am referring to are those presenting with more minor and intermittent signs and symptoms. Surgery for such patients may be unnecessary. Most of the problem in the knee in these cases is due to inflammation and swelling and once these have settled the knee can be fully functional again.

In some cases it is a case of just treat the symptoms and wait and see. The joint will either improve or plateau at any stage. If it improves then great. If it plateaus it is a case of re-assessing and reviewing to see if a surgical opinion is necessary.

I have certainly had irritated menisci that have been border line as to whether surgery is necessary and given a few weeks there has been considerable improvement in the knee to a good level of function.

Patience is a good thing in such cases if the picture is not totally clear. My experiences are that all may not be lost and surgery may not be necessary. This has been especially so if the damage appears to be on or near to the periphery of the meniscus, often indicated by tenderness and pain on the edge of the knee joint rather than deep inside.

One thing is for sure. I am certain it is beneficial to alter one's activities to a less aggressive or demanding nature if this is the cause of the problem in patients in their late thirties and forties. There is no specific age here it is just that continued repetition of the weight bearing, jarring, rotational activity that caused the problem is only likely to cause a re-occurrence in persons with tissues more prone to such injury.

So if you are afflicted by such a condition and the situation is not crystal clear, waiting and observing and deciding on less stressful but equally enjoyable activities is to be recommended.

To find out more about cartilage damage or meniscal injury follow this link