The joints in the human body play a very important role in holding the structure and posture of the entire body. When it comes to the joints of the body, the joints in the legs are the most crucial ones as they help us in standing on our own feet, for real.
Over the years, due to wear and tear, the joints and the other various parts of the body do not function like they used to. Hence, the joints in the legs tend to cause a lot of pain and discomfort to the affected person. Excessive physical activity and injury to the joints can cause this often. Also, one of the biggest problems you might face is a meniscus tear.
What is meniscus tear?
The meniscus is a piece of cartilage that holds and binds all the bones forming a joint in the knee. So, for all the joints in the legs to connect, the meniscus is the only way.
It is very important to prevent any injury or stress in this region. But even after considerable care, the meniscus tends to tear during physical activities like sports, intense exercising, and prolonged kneeling. This can be prevented by a brace for a meniscus tear.
There is hardly anything that can be done to prevent meniscus tear, but knowing the exact causes might help in the meniscus tear treatment.
Causes of a meniscus tear
Playing sports like cricket, tennis, football and so on can lead to a meniscus tear. Sometimes, even while exercising, a person’s meniscus can get affected. Weight lifting, squatting and twisting leads to the tear sometimes. However, care and early treatment can help.
In order to be sure of a meniscus tear, you will need to know the various symptoms of it.
Symptoms of a meniscus tear
- Unbearable pain when moving the joint area of the leg
The affected person will not be able to move the leg even slightly in case of a meniscus tear. If that is the case, it is advisable not to forcibly move the leg. A brace for meniscus tear can help you deal with the pain though. But you should consult a doctor and not ignore the pain.
- Swelling in the region
Swelling usually doesn’t happen without a reason. When pain along with swelling is experienced then it might be due to the meniscus tear.
- Lack of support in the knee region
As the meniscus is the binding part, any injury or unreasonable pressure on the knee can lead to a meniscus tear, which in turn can lead to the lack of stability in the knee joints. A brace for meniscus tear can be used for support.
- Stiffness in the injured region (knee)
Meniscus tear will hardly allow any movement of the knee or the leg. But a brace for meniscus tear might facilitate minimal movement of the leg.
- Crackling sound
This is a common sign of weak joints especially in the elderly. But if the cracking sound is heard after an injury to the knee joints, then this can indicate meniscus tear.
Now that you know about the causes and symptoms, it’s time to find out about the treatment methods. There are two ways in which meniscus tear can be treated.
- Non-surgical treatment
- Surgical treatment
Non-surgical remedies
Non-surgical ways involve natural remedies and tips for some instantaneous relief. It involves the use of hot and cold packs that can be applied or rolled on the injured area. Resting the leg in an elevated manner will serve the purpose by easing the pain in the knee due to the meniscus tear. A brace for meniscus tear also works fine. Slightly moving the leg backward, forward and so on can help too.
The non-surgical treatment methods don’t always work in the long run though.
Surgical remedies
It is best to seek for medical help as soon as you feel discomfort and pain in the knees after an injury. MRI, X-Ray etc will help to establish or diagnose the issue. Usually, arthroscopic surgery is recommended by the doctors for the a meniscus tear.
It must also be noted that the treatment for meniscus tear might differ from person to person because the treatment is determined only after a proper diagnosis of the patient’s condition.
Whatever the case may be, it is essential that the meniscus tear treatment is initiated at the earliest. Though meniscus tear is a common phenomenon, addressing it at the earliest will prevent complications. After all, it is the meniscus that provides support to your entire body and you shouldn’t take a chance.
