Cartilage Injuries to Knees
Updated: Jul 8, 2021
A meniscus is commonly referred to as cartilage and is in many joints in the body not just the knee joint. The knee meniscus exists within the knee joint between the femur and tibia bones. This helps the knee handle load, tension and rotational forces.
The outer 1/3 of the meniscus has a good blood supply, compared to the inner 2/3 which results in poorer healing and outcome if injured.
Injury to meniscus fall into 2 groups: acute knee injury – for example following a sporting injury or trauma normally managed with physiotherapy, exercise, electrotherapy modalities, injections, medications and weight management. If pain persists surgery is often required especially for large tears; chronic knee injury – occur due to degenerative changes within the knee joint or “wear and tear” and tend to respond well with physiotherapy and exercise, and possibly injections and medications. If the pain persists the knee can be assess using radiological imaging and following this consultation with a surgeon for arthroscopic or joint replacement surgery.
Other physiotherapy treatment used to manage knee pain include – kinesiology taping, acupuncture or dry needling, massage, bracing etc.
Book in today to see one of our skilled physiotherapist who can assess your knee joint and direct you towards the most evidence based course of treatment.
