Meniscus Tear Injury
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento personal injury lawyer. Many people have heard about Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tears; however, it is not unusual for people to tear their meniscus as well. This can be another devastating knee injury.
What is a Meniscus Tear?
The meniscus is an important structure of the knee because it provides a cushion that rests between the upper half of the leg (the femur) and the bottom half of the leg, which consists of the tibia and the fibula. This cushion allows the leg to slide back and forth or side to side without pain.
Mechanism of a Tear
A tear of either the medial or the lateral meniscus is an example of a major traumatic injury to the knee. The overwhelming majority of people who tear their meniscus do so while playing sports, such as basketball, lacrosse, soccer, or football. Plus, people can also tear their meniscus in other ways, such as through bicycle accidents and pedestrian injuries.
Treatment of a Meniscus Tear
The first step in the treatment of a meniscus tear is rest and ice. This will help to reduce the swelling while imaging is performed on the knee. Some patients with smaller tears may be able to get away without surgical treatment; however, everyone will require physical therapy to lessen the pain, strengthen the knee, and walk without any issues. Those who want to return to sports will require more treatment.
Complications do Happen
Among the comorbidities that develop with a tear of the meniscus include arthritis. If the meniscus isn’t fully repaired, the cushion between the top and bottom of the leg is gone. This lack of cushion can lead to arthritis.
Other Structures are Vulnerable
The knee is made up of numerous other ligaments that are at risk for being torn with a meniscus tear. Examples include the cruciate ligaments (ACL and PCL ligaments) and the other ligaments, called the collateral ones (MCL and LCL).
Differential Diagnosis
Someone who has a meniscus tear is at risk for numerous other injuries to knee ligaments. These include:
- Tear of the ACL
- Tear of the PCL
- Tear of the LCL
- Tear of the MCL
- Avulsion of the femur, tibia, or fibula
Prognosis and Recovery
A tear of the meniscus is a serious injury; however, most patients do make a full recovery. This involves numerous physical therapy appointments that could last a year or longer.
Surgery is Common
The doctor will order imaging that will show a tear of the meniscus. Not every patient requires surgery; however, those who have larger tears of their meniscus will need surgery to return to sports or other strenuous physical activity.
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento personal injury lawyer. A meniscus tear represents a significant injury to the knee that can devastate the lives of patients. Those who have suffered a significant knee injury should contact me today at (916) 921-6400 for friendly, free legal advice. Non-local callers should make sure to write down my toll-free number: (800) 404-5400.
I have a membership with the Million Dollar Advocates Forum for California state. This forum of legal advocates have been listed as some of the top-ranked trial lawyers in the United States. The attorneys in our group have negotiated settlements and won verdicts worth over $1 million dollars.
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