Meniscus tear, accident or disease?

By accident

which occurs in a knee without osteoarthritis. It is important to know whether this lesion is isolated or complicates a rupture of the ACL. Treatment, which is very often surgical, changes completely when the ligament is torn.

By disease

which is part of the degenerative phenomena. For the knee, degenerative joint phenomena begin at the age of 35-40. Conservative treatment is the first choice. If this fails, arthroscopic treatment is discussed.

Different types of meniscal injuries

Sometimes the situation is less clear and more ambiguous. You are over 40, maybe even 55 or 60. The symptoms came on during a rotation while getting out of the car, while playing tennis. The MRI shows a meniscus band. All this suggests a traumatic event on a degenerative meniscus.

Careful examination of your knee, additional tests and the experience of your surgeon using X-rays and MRI will help you make the right decision. Neither the one that rushes you into a useless operation, nor the one that risks you losing many months of medical treatment.