Meniscus Injuries causes pain and inflammation at the level of the joint line, and significant restriction (locking) on the end range movements of knee flexion and extension.
Is important to note that for the meniscus to become injured, the previous defence mechanisms have to have failed to allow the biomechanical stress to damage the cartilage, therefore, the treatment care must aim to restore the health of the entire knee protective structures.
Knee Misalignment and the corresponding meniscus injury
Internal femur misalignment generally compromised the medial (inner) meniscus
External femur and tibia misalignments generally compromised the lateral meniscus
Assessment Protocol
The entire lower extremity biomechanical chain must be evaluated as part of the knee analyses as per the neurological and mechanical influences of the spine, hip, and foot.
Clinical assessment to identify the key joint dysfunctions of the Knee that have contributed to this condition. Soft tissue analysis to pinpoint the level of irritation in the soft tissue support.
X-ray analysis
Anterior – Posterior (AP) and Lateral Knee views are essential to analyse the level and direction of the different patterns of misalignments and the degree of the degenerative disease.
MRI
Knee MRI is essential for visualizing the extent of injury on the muscle/tendon and ligamentous and meniscus layers
Locate the exact injury point; Allows the treatment to be more specific during the application of the treatment modalities
Identify the extent of tissue damage and the presence of scar tissue; Provides valuable information regarding prognosis and the application of friction soft tissue modalities to aid on scar tissue removal.
Rule out fractures not picked up by the x-ray and rule out Flap torn meniscus tear.
Treatment protocol
The treatment care should aim to restore the Knee alignment, the soft tissue muscles/tendon and ligamentous health as well as stimulating and remodelling the cartilage and meniscus growth.
Specific adjustments of key bones of the Knee complex followed by a rehabilitation regime to strengthen the entire soft tissue support of the knee.
Soft tissue and meniscus healing protocol
Application of Low-level Laser and PEMF directly over the injured tissues to aid on the cellular level of healing as well as improving the microcirculation for the area. Due to the natural poor blood supply properties of the meniscus, this treatment modality is essential to enhance meniscus healing
Friction soft tissue therapy helps to reduce dysfunctional scar tissue
Specific stretches and strengthening to improve the resilient of the soft tissue support
Specific selected essential oil application to enhance healing
Dry Needling to promotes blood flow and enhance the soft tissue and meniscus healing.
Depending on the level injury and chronicity, a minimum of 6 weeks up to 12 weeks of treatment care may be necessary to resolve this condition.
