What are Meniscal Injuries
1. What are Knee Menisci?
The menisci are important because they distribute weight across the knee joint. If you lack menisci, weight would be unevenly distributed across the joint, leading to uneven force distribution and early arthritis of the knee joint. Another important function of the menisci is to keep the knee joint stable. The menisci are crucial to the health of your knee.
2. What is a Meniscus Tear?
The two most common menisci injuries are from trauma (with athletes) or degeneration (usually older patients with brittle cartilage). A patient with a menisci injury will most commonly experience knee pain, swelling, tenderness, popping or clicking and/or limited motion or locking of the knee.
When presenting with a suspected meniscus injury, x-rays and/or MRI’s are often performed to verify the extent of the injury. Visualizing a torn meniscus on MRI does not mean a specific treatment is required. Treatment depends on several factors. Not all meniscus tears require surgery.
3. What treatment possibilities exist for a Meniscus Tear?

Usually individuals with ‘mechanical knee symptoms’ choose surgery. Mechanical knee symptoms include locking (unable to bend), inability to straighten and/or a popping/clicking sound coming from the knee.
When surgery is necessary, the surgeon has two primary options to improve mechanical symptoms. Either remove the torn meniscus (a partial meniscectomy) or perform a meniscus repair to place the edges of the meniscus together with sutures or tacks. Both are performed using a scope within the joint (arthroscopy).
4. What is the success of Menisci Surgery?
Location of Tear: If the tear is located in the central portion of the meniscus, it will have difficulty healing due to a lack of blood supply in the region. If the tear is located along the outside, it will heal better due to an available blood supply.
Patient Compliance with Rehabilitation: By following the post-operative exercise protocol provided by your health care provider you will assist in the post-operative healing process and increase the success of reducing mechanical symptoms.
If the meniscus repair fails, which happens between 20% to 40% of the time, a second surgery may be necessary to remove the re-torn meniscus.
5. What is the Rehabilitation time after surgery?

6. Cortisone Injections for Meniscus Injury?
Source: Greis PE, et al. “Meniscal Injury: II. Management” J. Am. Acad. Ortho. Surg., May/June 2002; 10: 177 – 187.
What are my treatment options for a Knee Issue?
Chiropractic Options at Fit for Life Wellness & Rehabilitation Centre: Dr. Luciano Di Loreto (Chiropractor) and his team of health therapists can help you rehabilitate your bones, nerves and muscles after a knee injury via both active exercises as well as passive treatments. Our extensive passive treatments include laser therapy (healing), ultrasound (healing), electrotherapy (pain), hot/cold therapy and soft tissue therapy. Treatments are usually booked two to three times per week for six to eight weeks. Full recovery of the knee area varies from individual to individual.