The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of tough, rubbery cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your shinbone (tibia) and thighbone (femur).

Each knee has two menisci:

one on the inside (medial meniscus)
one on the outside (lateral meniscus).

These crucial structures help stabilize the knee joint, distribute weight evenly, and facilitate smooth movement.

A meniscus injury, often referred to as a torn meniscus, occurs when this cartilage is damaged, typically due to twisting or forceful impact on the knee.

This can range from a minor tear to a complete rupture, leading to pain, swelling, and limited knee function.

The symptoms of a meniscus injury can vary depending on the severity and location of the tear.

Common signs include:

Pain: Often localized to the side of the knee where the tear occurred, pain may worsen with activities like twisting, squatting, or going up/down stairs.

Swelling: The knee may become swollen, sometimes gradually over a few hours after the injury.

Stiffness: Difficulty fully extending or bending the knee.

Clicking, Popping, or Catching Sensation: You may hear or feel these sensations in your knee, especially during movement. In some cases, a piece of torn meniscus can get caught in the joint, causing the knee to "lock" or become unable to move.

Tenderness: The area around the meniscus may be tender to the touch.

Instability: A feeling that your knee might give way or buckle.

Meniscus injuries commonly occur due to:

Forceful Twisting: This is the most frequent cause, often seen in athletes participating in sports like soccer, basketball, and football, where sudden changes in direction are common.

Deep Squatting: Squatting with heavy weights or deep, repetitive squatting can put stress on the meniscus, leading to tears.

Direct Impact: A direct blow to the knee can also cause a meniscus tear.

Degeneration: In older individuals, the meniscus can weaken and become more prone to tearing with less significant trauma, sometimes even from everyday activities. This is known as degenerative meniscus tear.

Aging: As we age, the meniscus loses its elasticity and becomes more brittle, making it more susceptible to tears.

Diagnosing a meniscus injury typically involves:

Medical History and Physical Examination: Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, how the injury occurred, and your medical history. They will then examine your knee, checking for tenderness, swelling, range of motion, and stability. Special tests, such as the McMurray test, may be performed to assess for meniscus tears.

Imaging Tests:

X-rays: While X-rays cannot visualize the meniscus (as it's cartilage), they can rule out other bone-related issues, such as fractures, that might be causing knee pain.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): An MRI is the most common and effective imaging technique for diagnosing meniscus tears. It provides detailed images of soft tissues, including the menisci, ligaments, and tendons, allowing the doctor to visualize the tear's location, size, and type.

Arthroscopy (Rarely for Diagnosis): In some cases, if the diagnosis remains unclear after physical examination and MRI, a knee arthroscopy (a minimally invasive surgical procedure where a small camera is inserted into the knee joint) might be performed. However, this is more commonly done for treatment rather than solely for diagnosis.

Treatment for a meniscus injury depends on several factors, including the size and location of the tear, your age, activity level, and overall health.

Non-Surgical Treatment:

Many meniscus tears, especially smaller ones or those on the outer edges (where blood supply is better), can heal with conservative management.

RICE Protocol:

Rest: Avoid activities that worsen your pain.

Ice: Apply ice packs to the knee for 15-20 minutes several times a day to reduce swelling and pain.

Compression: Use an elastic bandage to help reduce swelling.

Elevation: Keep your leg elevated above your heart to minimize swelling.

Pain Relievers and Anti-inflammatory Medications: Over-the-counter NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) like ibuprofen or naproxen can help manage pain and swelling.

Physical Therapy: A physical therapist can guide you through exercises to strengthen the muscles around your knee, improve range of motion, and enhance stability.

This is crucial for rehabilitation, whether or not surgery is performed.

Injections:

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): PRP injections, which involve using concentrated platelets from your own blood, can be considered. The growth factors in PRP may stimulate healing and reduce inflammation.

Platelet Lysate (PL): Similar to PRP, Platelet Lysate is a concentrated form of growth factors derived from platelets that can be injected to promote tissue repair.

Stem Cell Therapy (Advanced Treatment):

Concord Stem Cell Limited, as a DGDA approved facility, offers advanced regenerative options.

While still largely considered for primary meniscus repair, stem cell therapies show promise in aiding healing and potentially preventing degenerative changes.

Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell (hUC-MSC): hUC-MSCs possess strong immunomodulatory and regenerative properties. When injected, they may help reduce inflammation, promote tissue repair, and potentially stimulate the body's natural healing processes within the knee joint. This could be a viable option for patients seeking to enhance healing and reduce pain after meniscus injuries, especially in cases where conventional treatments have limited success or to potentially stave off degenerative changes.

Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF): SVF contains a variety of regenerative cells, including MSCs, derived from adipose (fat) tissue. It can be isolated and injected to promote healing and reduce inflammation in the injured meniscus.

Bone Marrow Concentrate (BMC): BMC is rich in MSCs and other progenitor cells derived from bone marrow. It can be concentrated and injected into the knee to support tissue regeneration and repair of the meniscus.

Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cell (BMMNC): BMMNCs contain a population of cells from the bone marrow with regenerative potential.

Peripheral Blood Stem Cell (PBSC): PBSCs are stem cells collected from the peripheral blood after mobilization, which can contribute to tissue repair.

These stem cell therapies are typically offered as adjuncts to traditional treatments or for patients who may not be good candidates for surgery or are looking for less invasive options. It is crucial to have a thorough consultation with your physician and the experts at Concord Stem Cell Limited to determine if these advanced therapies are suitable for your specific condition.