Do I Need Surgery On My Meniscal Injury?

Do I Need Surgery On My Meniscal Injury?

The menisci are 2 C shaped cartilages that sit within your knee joint to dissipate joint forces to the Knee.

Meniscal injuries can occur due to 2 reasons:

1. A sudden, memorable injury, usually of a twisting mechanism, known as an Acute injury
2. Insidious onset that gradually progresses over time, otherwise known as Degenerative injury.

There is a lot of recent media discussing the need for surgery for meniscal injuries, this is often confusing and hard to know what is best for you!

It is important to recognise that everyone’s case is different, and the symptoms that present will provide guidance for the most effective treatment strategy. A thorough assessment of your knee with your PhysioWorks Physiotherapist will help guide your treatment choice!

Questions you will be asked include:

• Swelling
  • If and when you knee swells
    • How much swelling is in your knee
  • Location of swelling
• Mechanism of Injury
• • • Did a memorable event happen? Or did this creep up on you?

• Loss of Range of Motion
  • Can you move your knee fully, or is it stuck or difficult to move in and out of certain positions
• Mechanical Symptoms
  • Locking
    • May indicate that there is a loose body or piece of meniscus that is problematic.
      • In some cases surgical intervention is required.
  • Clicking or Catching
    • • • May indicate that there is a loose body or piece of meniscus that is problematic.
        • Not all clicks are concerning, often your Physiotherapist will ask about a change in your clicking, and if it is painful or related to your symptoms.

Current evidence demonstrated that for degenerative meniscal injuries, surgical intervention is no better than high quality non – surgical care, which includes: Exercise and may also include activity modification for a short period and liaison with your GP about utilisation of medications to manage any flares are of symptoms. Your Physiotherapist is experienced in prescribing these programs to expedite your recovery

For acute injuries, or a knee that is locked, early referral to an Orthopaedic Specialist may be required. Your Physiotherapist can help guide you through this process, provide advice on activities and exercises that you can do to help expedite your recovery and then follow up on a rehabilitation program at an appropriate time. It is important to have specific, individualised advice with regards to your injury.

PhysioWorks offer same day appointments for the prompt diagnosis and rehabilitation plan. Your PhysioWorks Physiotherapist has a special interest in knee injury and can help guide your rehabilitation to get you back to what you love faster!

More information: Common Knee Injuries