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Tennis Injuries:Torn Meniscus

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Meet Louis Gordan

White Male

Age 74

Avid Tennis Player

Good Overall Health

Injury: Torn Meniscus

Not Actual Patient

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What is a Meniscus Tear?

A meniscus tear is a common kneejoint injury. This rubbery tissue acts asa shock absorber between the upper

and lower leg bones. Each knee hastwo C-shaped menisci; a lateralmeniscus at the outer side of the knee

and a medial meniscus at the inner sideof the knee. A meniscus tear cangreatly limit your knee function.

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How is the Meniscus Torn?

A meniscus tear usually occurs with atwisting or pivoting motion and oftenwith the foot planted and the knee

partially flexed (for example, whenlifting or playing tennis). Other kneeinjuries, such as a torn ligament, can

happen at the same time. As we age,our meniscus becomes worn and maytear more easily.

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What are the Symptoms?

Minor Tears: Pain and slight swelling.Symptoms last 2-3 weeks.

Moderate Tear: Pain at side or center ofknee. Inability to walk, increasedswelling, limited ROM, sharp pain whentwisting. Symptoms generallydisappear.

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What are Treatment Options?

RICE

SURGERY

- SCOOP- REPAIR

REDUCE

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Risks of Surgery

People over the age of 50 have the

common risks of infection, blood clot in the

leg, damage to nerves or bloodvessels, and meniscus become

thinner

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Reasons to have Surgery

Surgical repair may result indecreased pain and return of normalfunction to the knee.

Without surgery, pain may increaseand persist making it harder toperform activities of daily living.

Prevention of long-termcomplications, such as jointdegeneration (osteoarthritis), withsuccessful surgical repair.

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Photos ofSurgery