The knee is the largest, most complex, and one of the most used joints in the body. The knees receive four times more stress compared to the other joints of the body, making them more prone to injury. Your knees also absorb a great amount of shock daily due to regular activities such as walking, jumping, running, and climbing the stairs. These activities may seem normal; however, they can lead to serious knee injuries over time if you don’t take good care of your knees.
The knees consist of bones, ligames, meniscus, and tendons. When one part of the knee gets injured, a simple movement such as walking may cause discomfort. Any person can suffer from knee injuries, regardless of their age. However, athletes, people who are overweight, and the elderly are more at risk of having a knee injury. Some of the common knee injuries include collateral ligament injury and meniscus injury. Both types of injuries require the help of a cartilage specialist to accurately diagnose and treat said injuries. If you require treatment for meniscus or collateral ligament injury, you may consult our doctors in Singapore for more assistance.
What Is Collateral Ligament Injury?
Collateral ligament injuries, also known as knee ligament sprains, are usually caused by a force that forces the knees sideways. Collateral ligaments are found on the sides of your knee: the medial or “inside” collateral ligament (MCL) connects the femur to the tibia, while the lateral or “outside” collateral ligament (LCL) connects the femur to the smaller bone in the lower leg. The collateral ligaments enable the sideways movement of your knee and brace it against unusual movement.
Athletes who participate in contact sports like football and hockey are more vulnerable to collateral ligament injuries. Seeking medical help from a sports injury doctor in Singapore can help in treating collateral ligament injuries.
What Is Meniscus Injury?
The meniscus is a piece of cartilage in your knee that cushions and stabilises the joint and protects the bones from wear and tear. Meniscus tears occur when one of these pieces of cartilage in your knee is injured or torn and typically arise from forceful twisting or rotation of the knee.
While athletes are at higher risk of meniscus injury, anyone is at risk from experiencing meniscus tears. Even simple motions like deep squatting, kneeling and lifting a heavyweight can result in such knee injuries. Older persons who are more likely to have degenerative changes in the knee are more prone to tearing the meniscus. Getting a meniscus injury treatment from an experienced orthopaedic surgeon in Singapore can help alleviate the pain and discomfort caused by meniscus tears.
Get Your Knee Injury by a Cartilage Specialist in Singapore Today
If you are experiencing persistent knee pain, swelling or any of the symptoms described above, we recommend seeing an orthopaedic specialist as soon as possible. Dr. Gowreeson Thevendran, a Singapore orthopaedic surgeon at Orthofoot MD, will assess your condition with specific tests, such as bending or twisting the knee to check for cartilage damage and knee instability. Further testing with X-rays, CT scans or MRIs may be performed to assess for fractures and soft-tissue damage to the ligaments and cartilage. Depending on your condition, our specialists will recommend treatment such as knee immobilisation or splinting. In more severe cases, cartilage surgery may be required.
Aside from meniscus injury treatments, we also provide patellar tendonitis and knee surgery for Singapore patients who have knee-related injuries and conditions. Book an appointment with us today to find the best treatment for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Meniscus Injury in Singapore
1. What are the symptoms of collateral ligament injury?
Symptoms of collateral ligament injury can include:
- Swelling at the injury site
- Stiffness of the knee joint – knee locking may arise in some cases.
- Pain or soreness at the sides of the knee
- Instability of the knee joint – the feeling that your knee is about to buckle and collapse
Consult with our cartilage specialist in Singapore today to help you fully understand and diagnose your condition.
2. What are the symptoms of meniscus injury?
Symptoms of meniscus injury can include:
- Clicking or popping sounds
- Knee pain, especially when twisting or rotating the knee
- Instability of the knee joint
- Feeling like your knee is locked when you try to move it
- Difficulty in straightening your knee fully
You can receive a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment for your meniscus injury from our experts. Visit our clinics in Singapore today.
3. Do you need to go to the doctor for a torn meniscus?
Yes, you need to seek medical help for a torn meniscus, especially when you’re experiencing intense pain or you’re showing severe meniscus injury symptoms. Seeking medical advice from a doctor is crucial in preventing any complications and other potential injurious conditions that can be caused by a torn meniscus. A doctor can perform the necessary tests to make a full diagnosis and determine if you need surgery for your torn meniscus. Find a trusted orthopaedic clinic in Singapore such as OrthofootMD to receive a full diagnosis and appropriate treatment for your meniscus tear.
4. Can meniscus injury heal itself?
Generally, a meniscus injury can heal on its own. However, not all types of meniscus injuries heal over time. Through conservative treatments such as icing, compression, physical therapy or wearing a knee brace, your most mild meniscus injury can heal within two to three weeks. Our patients in Singapore with moderate to severe meniscus tears can heal from six to eight weeks. However, when your symptoms and the pain persists after three months of treatment, you need to do a follow-up consultation with your cartilage specialist in Singapore to determine whether surgery is recommended.
5. How long does meniscus injury take to heal?
The recovery time for a meniscus injury depends on its severity. With the help of conservative treatments, mild meniscus tears can heal on their own in two to three weeks. If you have undergone a meniscus tear surgery, full recovery is between six weeks to three months.
Post-surgery rehabilitation is important in making a full recovery from a surgery for meniscus injury. Following a strict post-surgery rehabilitation program can make your surgery and recovery a success. With the professional help of your Singapore orthopaedic surgeon and physiotherapist, you’ll be able to return to your normal daily life.
Dr Gowreeson Thevendran is currently an orthopaedic surgeon with Island Orthopaedic, a one-stop care centre for orthopaedic health under Healthway Medical Group. He specialises in treating lower limb orthopaedic conditions, as well as trauma and fracture surgery of both the upper and lower limbs. Prior to establishing his private practice, Dr Gowreeson was Chief of Foot & Ankle Surgery at the Department of Orthopaedics at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH). Today, he continues to serve the Orthopaedic Department at TTSH as a visiting consultant.