The meniscus is one of the problem areas in the knee. As a load distributor, brake pad or shock absorber, it is responsible for pressure distribution and stabilisation in the knee joint and is exposed to great forces and stresses in sport and everyday life. Accidents or signs of wear and tear can lead to meniscus damage, which can cause severe pain. In the case of acute injuries, the pain is often noticeable, whereas meniscus pain caused by wear and tear usually only occurs gradually. Pain caused by meniscus damage should be treated as early as possible in order to minimise long-term consequential damage.
The knee experts at ECOM® specialise in the treatment of meniscus damage. With more than 30 years of experience, we stand for high-performance medicine with which meniscus injuries from sport and everyday life can be optimally treated. Surgery is not always necessary. In many cases, a meniscus injury can be successfully treated with modern conservative therapies. If surgery is necessary, our knee specialists usually perform it using gentle arthroscopic procedures. The aim is always to achieve rapid regeneration while maintaining the ability to move and play sport.
The meniscus is a crescent-shaped, cartilage-like disc in the knee joint. More precisely, there are two of these discs in each knee: the crescent-shaped inner meniscus and the almost circular outer meniscus. The menisci in the knee absorb the weight load and distribute it evenly across the joint. They therefore act as shock absorbers and protect the joint from overloading. In addition, they stabilise the joint by providing a positive fit between the thigh and lower leg.
Meniscus damage is caused by acute injuries during sport or chronic wear and tear. In the case of meniscus damage, a distinction is made between an injury to the inner meniscus and the outer meniscus. Injuries to the inner meniscus occur much more frequently, as the inner meniscus is firmly attached to the inner ligament and the joint capsule. It is therefore less mobile and more difficult to compensate for irritation.
Meniscus damage is one of the most common injuries to the knee joint. We differentiate between two forms: Degenerative meniscus damage (wear and tear) and traumatic meniscus damage (accidental injury).
Degenerative meniscus damage occurs with increasing age or as a result of permanent incorrect or excessive strain. The result is a loss of elasticity in the muscle tissue and reduced production of synovial fluid, which is necessary for the regeneration of the meniscus tissue. The meniscus thus loses its resistance. Small gaps form, which can become tears even when subjected to slight force. Degenerative meniscus damage can occur both in old age and at a young age. Prolonged kneeling activities or sports that put constant strain on the knee can contribute to this.
Traumatic meniscus damage is caused by direct or indirect force on the knee joint. Frequent causes are sudden oblique twisting or falling movements with stops in motion, which expose the meniscus to strong forces with compressive and shearing forces. If this load is too great, damage to the meniscus can occur even if the knee is completely intact. Typical injury patterns occur, for example, when skiing or playing ball sports such as football, basketball or handball. Injuries to the meniscus often occur in combination with other injuries such as a torn cruciate ligament.
Depending on the severity of the injury, we differentiate between various conditions: Meniscus irritation, meniscus contusion and meniscus tear. Meniscus lesion is the generic term for all damage to the meniscus. Meniscus irritation and meniscus contusion are a rather harmless variant of meniscus injury. The meniscus is irritated or bruised as a result of an accident or incorrect loading, but does not tear. A pure meniscus irritation or meniscus contusion is usually treated successfully without surgery using conservative therapy.
If the affected meniscus is not only irritated or bruised, but tears, we speak of a meniscus tear. A meniscus tear should always be treated, as it will not heal on its own. On the contrary: even the smallest everyday movements put strain on the meniscus, causing the meniscus tear to get bigger and bigger. The earlier a meniscus tear is treated, the more we can avoid consequential damage.
A meniscus tear can be treated in various ways. The basic options are drug therapy to relieve pain and inhibit inflammation, physiotherapy to strengthen the uninjured meniscus tissue and meniscus surgery to repair the damaged meniscus. Which treatment is suitable for each individual depends on the extent of the pain, the remaining mobility of the joint and the age and athleticism of the patient.
In younger and dynamic people, a meniscus tear is usually treated with the help of minimally invasive knee endoscopy, known as arthroscopy. The knee experts at ECOM® have two procedures at their disposal: The torn meniscus tissue can either be partially removed in the affected area and smoothed out or stabilised with a suture. We refer to this as meniscus smoothing, partial meniscus resection or meniscus suturing. Meniscus suturing is particularly recommended for young and athletically active people, as this preserves the entire meniscus.
Do you have questions about treatment and therapy for meniscus injuries in sport and everyday life? Our knee specialists Dr Erich Rembeck and Dr Alexander Rauch will be happy to provide you with detailed information and advice in a personal consultation. Simply make an appointment. We look forward to seeing you.
Specialist in orthopaedics, sports medicine
“Minimally invasive surgical procedures and regenerative treatment methods help patients with meniscus injuries to quickly return to sport and everyday life.”
Specialist in orthopaedics and trauma surgery
Specialist in orthopaedic surgery
“The patient is often in a state of emergency. Targeted diagnosis and individualised therapy are the key to successful treatment”.
Sehr geehrte Besucher,
Sie verlassen nun den Internetauftritt der ECOM® – Praxis für Orthopädie, Sportmedizin und Unfallchirurgie Dr. Erich Rembeck, Dr. Alexander Rauch, Prof. Dr. Hans Gollwitzer, Prof. Dr. Patrick Weber – Ärztepartnerschaft aus München.
Sie werden weitergeleitet auf den Internetauftritt von ECOM – Zentrum für Regenerative Medizin und Stammzelltherapie Dr. Erich Rembeck, Dr. Alexander Rauch, Prof. Dr. Hans Gollwitzer, Prof. Dr. Patrick Weber in Thiersee, Österreich.
Die im folgenden beschriebenen Therapien finden ausschließlich in Österreich statt und sind von der Ärztekammer Tirol, sowie der Österreichische Agentur für Gesundheit und Ernährungssicherheit (AGES) genehmigt.
Bitte bestätigen Sie mit OK. Wir bedanken uns für Ihr Interesse!
