Emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis of meniscal tear, which is often seen in the elderly and athletes, Orthopedics and Traumatology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr.  stated that the meniscus tear can reoccur after the treatment, especially in athletes, and therefore the sports ground should be smooth.

Noting that the meniscus is one of the most important tissues in the body, Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Orthopedics and Traumatology specialist emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and treatment in meniscal tear. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kocadal underlined that if the meniscus is damaged, the knee can also be damaged to a great extent, and also explained what needs to be done to prevent these problems.

It is Observed in Elderly and Young People

Stating that meniscus tears are frequently seen in athletes and elderly people due to degeneration,said, “Meniscus tears are tears that can be observed in both the elderly and young people. In the elderly, there are often tears due to degeneration and wear of the knee joint; at an earlier age, a trauma presents in the form of acute tears that the patient marks a certain moment. Although it is mostly seen in athletes, it should be remembered that it is an injury that anyone can experience while walking".

Assoc. Prof. Dr. talked about the complaints and symptoms that can be experienced in case of meniscus tear: “We often encounter problems such as locking in the knee, pain, inability to walk, inability to fully open or close the knee in people with meniscus tears. The menisci are the shock absorbers of the knee. If this structure is not present, our cartilage will also be damaged prematurely, thus causing premature damage to our knees. Therefore, it is important to diagnose early and intervene before the tear progresses further and calcification develops in the knee”.

Recurrance Risk is There!

Providing information regarding the treatment methods in which the evaluation of the tear is conducted first, Assoc. Prof. Dr. said, “As a result of our evaluation, if the tear is serious and opened within the joint, then we tend to remove it. However, since the meniscus is a very important tissue, our primary intention is to sew and repair it. Therefore, we are trying to preserve all the meniscus tissue that can be preserved”.

Reminding that meniscus tears may recur after treatment, Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Orthopedics and Traumatology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. said, “A tear can occur in the same place or it can develop in a different place. We may also encounter problems such as the failure of the seams we have made after repairing. However, 70% of repairs are successful”.

Be Careful about the Ground

Assoc. Prof. Dr. explained the measures that can be taken to prevent damage to the meniscus as follows:

“If there are discomforts such as pain, snagging, locking, and inability to open the knee, it is very  important to consult a physician first and apply the necessary treatment. However, another important point is the prevention of tears. For this, there are some precautions that can be taken in daily life. One of these measures is to exercise on the right ground and to warm up before starting the exercise. After the treatment of the meniscus tear, the patient should not be too hasty to return to sports and the body and knee should be rested”.