Meniscus Tear

Question 1

Describe the anatomy of the knee joint

Answer 1

• Knee is a hinge joint- structured to perform flexion and extension
• Muscles act at the knee predominantly quadriceps and hamstrings
• Menisci sit between tibia and femur: protects lower part of leg from shock of body weight
• Articular cartilage is a smooth, slippery material that covers ends of bones, allowing surfaces to slide against each other

Question 2

What is a meniscus tear?

Answer 2

Takes place when one twists or turns their upper leg while their foot is planted and they knee is bent.

Question 3

What are symptoms of the meniscus tear?

Answer 3

• Pain along edge of knee joint closest to meniscus. When straightening, bending or twisting. Pain severe/intermittent sharp pain.
• Knee swell soon after injury from inflammation.
• Clicking, popping or locking of knee
• Swelling causes stiffness and tightness, as fluid accumulates inside knee joint
• Locking: Inability to completely straighten knee when caught in hinge mechanism

Question 4

What is the impact of meniscus tear on occupational performance?

Answer 4

• Compromise participation in ADLs, IADLs, sleep, education, work, play, leisure, social participation
• Joint mobility, stability and alignment directly affected
• Limited joint mobility may influences one’s ability to participate in daily activities such as dressing, cooking, cleaning
• Muscle endurance and strength affected resulting from immobilisation during recovery
• Loss of ROM, strength, pain occur in other uninvolved joints (quads, hamstrings)
• Areas of balance, sensation, pain affected

Question 5

What is the role of an occupational therapist with treating meniscus tears?

Answer 5

• Improve ability to perform daily tasks, adapt to disruptions in lifestyle, prevent loss of function
• Specific performance problems in daily living assess, value of activities identified
• Clients identify and set goals, supporting motivation and participation
• Inform clients about pain, clarify treatment expectations and self-management approach

Question 6

What are specific assessments OTs do when assessing their clients with a meniscus tear?

Answer 6

• Protective pain control: Clients taught independent and proactive pain control
• Clients learn to safely perform basic ADLs, work, leisure, social community activities using techniques that reduce strain
• Ergonomic Ax: Identify environmental factors that contributes to pain problems, modified to improve function
• Pacing activities: taking breaks, changing way activities are done
• Functional assessments with adaptive equipment. Client functions independently in post-operative period
• Environmental modifications