ORTHOPEDICS/HIP & KNEE/MENISCUS DAMAGES
Meniscus tear and knee cartilage tear are usually two controversial topics regarding the use of these two terms interchangeably by patients.
In fact, these two damages types are different.
Hereunder the exolanation of each one of these two tears:
The Knee Cartilage
Human body shapes various cartilage kinds.
Cartilage is a joining tissue in human body and generates in a diversity of types that attend different functions.
The knee joint possesses two cartilage types inside the joint:
One of these two knee cartilage types is called “articular” cartilage.
This articular cartilage constitutes the joint soft coating that covers the bone ends.
An articular cartilage coating covers the thighbone end, the shinbone top, and the kneecap back.
The meniscus is a different cartilage type that constitutes a shock absorber between the bones.
The meniscus is not linked to the bone similarly to the articular cartilage, but rather it locates between the bone ends to coat the joint.
Cartilage Damage
The Knee cartilage is damaged due to a violent shock, or a worsening arthritis, or even a chronic overuse.
Depending on the damage kind, the different cartilage types may be damaged differently.
When cartilage is damaged, usually it is presented as a cartilage tear.
Classically, when talking about a cartilage, it is talking about the meniscus cartilage damage.
The terms usually used to present a damage to the articular cartilage in the joint are:
Fissuring:
A fissure in the articular cartilage arises when there is a cleavage within the cartilage coating causing a separation between the coats. Occasionally this can cause a grasping feeling.
Thinning:
Cartilage thinning or weakening can happen after a damage or as an early sign of a knee arthritis.
Thin cartilage did not slide as straightforwardly as normal cartilage.
Flaps:
Flaps or coverings in the articular cartilage arise when a portion of the cartilage coating has not adhered and can be lifted from its normal position.
This can also lead to grasping feelings with knee motion.
Defects:
Cartilage defects can lead to bone exposing within the joint. This can arise after shocking damages or as a result of a knee arthritis.
Cartilage Tear/Therapy
When a meniscus tear arise, therapy is generally needed.
Note that rarely a meniscus tear necessitate surgical treatment.
In fact, the meniscus tears vast majority will resolve with nonsurgical measures. However, there are some states where meniscus tears need surgical intervention.
In addition, commonly the cartilage damage, it might be a meniscus cartilage or an articular cartilage, is due to a chronic and worsening course.
While this may cause important signs, and surgical intervention is usually recommended.