Meniscus injury
The menisci lie on the inside and outside of the knee joint and serve as “shock absorbers” between the thigh and the lower leg.
Causes
Meniscus injuries are typical knee injuries in a number of sports, they are particularly common, for instance, in football players.
However, half of all meniscus injuries are caused by permanent stresses and strains, above all in occupations that primarily involve kneeling.
The turning movements of the body, with the foot held still and the knee joint flexed, crushes the meniscus causing it to tear or even be torn away from the bone (often the inner meniscus). Ligament injuries in the knee joint are often also combined with meniscus tears, because the traumatic events for meniscus and ligament injuries in the knee are similar.
Quick operation, quick healing
First aid for a meniscus injury consists of cooling the joint and supporting the knee with elastic supports if necessary.
Surgery soon after a meniscus tear gives the best result. Arthroscopic knee operations are seen as the method of choice these days.
The doctor can both examine and immediately operate on the joint through a “keyhole” in the knee. If necessary, the separated parts of the meniscus can be removed; in the case of longitudinal tears, refixation is often successful.
No sporting activities should be pursued for at least one week after the operation.
But after that it is possible to start loading the joint again. The patient is free to play all sports again once there is no longer any pain and the function of the muscles over the front of the thigh and the range of joint movement are satisfactory, which should be accomplished after about six to eight weeks.
Although special rehabilitation measures are not absolutely necessary, treatment always includes exercises for strengthening and loosening the muscles (in particular, the muscles over the front of the thigh).
Orthoses give the knee joint additional stability after the operation and promote proprioception and the healing process.
We have a wide selection of braces to help support you in your recovery.
The Genumedi pro knee brace is an innovative orthosis for physiological guidance of the knee joint. The Genumedi pro can be used to treat mild to moderate instability of the knee joint, oesteoarthritis of the knee and mild meniscus injuries.
The M.4s OA is a 4-point knee brace for control of anterior and posterior tibial translation offering a 3-point off-loader for varus or valgus pressure relief. It offers protection, stabilisation and pain relief whilst restoring mobility. The 4-point principle counteracts knee instability, often a cause of osteoarthritis. It safeguards against hyperextension and offers limitation of flexion and extension. The “S” profile improves torsional stability whilst following the natural alignment of femur and tibia.
The M.4s comfort is a functional knee brace. The product is exclusively to be used for the orthotic fitting of the knee and only on intact skin.
Details:
- Optimal stabilization using 4-point principle
- Safe collateral stabilization by ridged Frame
- Extension and flexion limitation protects against damaging joint movements and relieves injured structures
- Optimal imitation of Knee movement by using patented physioglide Hinge Technology