Meniscus Injuries Essay

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Patient Diagnosis Project : Meniscus injuries 1. Patient Diagnosis : A. Definition / Description: Meniscus tear means Injuries to the crescent-shaped cartilage pads between the two joints formed by the femur (the thigh bone) and the tibia (the shin bone). (6) The meniscus acts as a smooth surface for the joint to move on and mainly works as a weight bearing weights. [pic] Menisci can tear in many different ways. Tears are known by how they look, also where the tear occurs in the meniscus. Common tears include: a) Longitudinal Tear – this tear happens along the length of the meniscus. (1) b) Bucket Handle Tear is the tear where part of the cartilage separates from the tibia leaving a flap of cartilage. (1)(2) c) Flap tear is one of most common maniacal tears and is believed to happen from Bucket Handle Tears or radial tear. (1)(2)(5) d) A radial tear, also known as Teraservers tear is a sharp split in the inner rims toward the outer rims. This type of injury is usually treated through stitching but the inner injuries are less likely to heal because of poor blood supply but because this is the most important part of the meniscus, stitching is still the best option. (1)(2) e) Torn horn tear ( parrot’s beak tear ) - A neglected radial tear, usually an oblique one, may try to heal itself and round off into a rounded beak like a parrot's beak, this tear can catch in the joint. (1)(2) B) Signs/ Symptoms: When you tear a meniscus you might feel a "pop". Most people can still walk on their injured knee. Many athletes keep playing with a tear for 2 to 3 days, until they start feeling more stiff and swollen at knee area. (1)(2) The most common symptoms of meniscal tear are: ➢ Sharp pain in the knee caused by even a minor movement ➢ swelling of the knee ➢ Stiffness of the knee ➢ Obvious presence of fluid in

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