Meniscus Tears - we can help! 

01/11/2017

 

Limp in Leap out Physiotherapy & Wellness in Belfield provides servicing to many near by Inner West suburbs including Belmore, Strathfield and Croydon park. See our weekly blog below if you are interested in new research, facts, general information or ideas.

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At Limp in Leap out Physiotherapy, we can help your niggling knee injury and meniscus pathology.

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Let's begin with the basic anatomy of the knee.

 

The knee joint provides cushioning between the tibia and femur bones. It contains a meniscus (otherwise known as cartilage) between these bones and assists as a shock absorber with weight bearing activities like running and jumps.

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The knee is considered avascular. This means that the knee joint does not have adequate blood flow and blood vessel supply. This is a reason why surgery is considered as a treatment option, depending on the severity of the condition. The meniscus consists of 2 zones:

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• The white zone is in the inner portion of the meniscus – consists of no blood vessels

• The red zone is located along the rim of the meniscus – gets a small amount of blood supply

 

Although a tear in the red zone will have a chance of repair, a tear within the white zone will not heal.

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How do you know if you have a meniscus tear?

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A physiotherapist will help diagnosis your knee in the initial assessment. We can

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• Use the information you have told them in the history

  • How did it happen

  • Where pain is felt

  • Associated clicking or locking of the knee

  • Pain with movements

• Perform special tests that stress the meniscus

• Feel along the joint line for pain

 

How can physiotherapists help? Have you ever heard of LIPUS? Also known as Low Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound Therapy, this technique can be used to increase chondrocyte cells into the torn cartilage. Chondrocytes can also be referred to as cartilage cells. Combined with other treatments, this technique can and will help your meniscus tear.

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To find out more about how we can help improve your knee pain, or to book in for a consultation you can contact us via our Limp in Leap out Physiotherapy & Wellness contact us page, or book online here.

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Reference: Loyola-Sanchez, A., Richardson, J., Beattie, K. A., Otero-Fuentes, C., Adachi, J. D. & MacIntyre, N. J. (2012). Effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on the cartilage repair in people with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis: a double blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled pilot study. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 93, 35-42.

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