What Are the Symptoms of a Lateral Meniscus Injury?

Athletes are commonly prone to meniscus injuries, especially those with atrophy of the quadriceps muscle and obese patients with higher body weights. Typically, these individuals often experience pain in the knee joint due to direct trauma to the knee. Lateral meniscus injuries can manifest in various symptoms. It is recommended that patients rest regularly and avoid strenuous activities. Let's delve into the symptoms and treatments of lateral meniscus injuries.

Improper use of the knee joint during intense physical activities can cause meniscus injuries, manifesting as pain, swelling, difficulty in flexing and extending the knee, walking with a limp, difficulty squatting, and severe cases may present with popping sounds and locking of the knee. Popping sounds occur when a crisp sound is heard during a specific flexion or extension movement of the knee, and locking refers to the knee flipping back into place after moving to a certain position. Prolonged meniscus injury can also lead to atrophy of the quadriceps muscle, fatigue in walking, and inability to perform vigorous movements, jumping, or sprinting.

1. The treatment of lateral meniscus injury depends on the severity of the injury.

2. For grade I and II meniscus injuries indicated by MRI, most of them are degenerative changes and do not require special treatment. Pain can be managed with analgesics, topical ointments for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, local physical therapy, and heat application. Most patients can be fully cured through conservative treatment.

3. For grade III or higher meniscus injuries, arthroscopic surgery is often recommended. Depending on the intraoperative findings, surgical procedures such as meniscus plastic surgery or partial resection may be performed. Full meniscus resection is rarely adopted because it can lead to early onset of osteoarthritis.

Meniscus injuries are commonly seen in athletes, patients with atrophy of the quadriceps muscle, or obese individuals with higher body weights. The most common manifestation is pain in the knee joint. Common causes include direct traumatic injuries to the knee, such as falling while riding a bicycle. Regularly performing intense running and jumping activities or hiking can also cause meniscus injuries. Incorrect sitting positions, such as kneeling or sitting cross-legged, can also lead to uneven force distribution on the inner and outer meniscus, resulting in tears in the knee joint. Therefore, to prevent knee joint injuries, it is crucial to focus on the above-mentioned points, including resting regularly, avoiding strenuous activities, strengthening the quadriceps muscle, and avoiding injuries. If knee meniscus injury is suspected, it is recommended to undergo MRI of the knee joint and follow the doctor's advice for treatment.