Question

Dorothy, a professional gymnast, has a torn cartilage injury in her right knee joint. After months of physical therapy, she has somewhat improved mobility in the knee joint, but it occasionally locks or binds, preventing full performance during training. Explain why she has not accomplished full rehabilitation in her right knee. What possible treatments could she seek?

Answer 1

She is suffering from meniscal tear. Usually, the menisci are two pieces of 'c'-shaped cartilage that sit either side of the knee joint and they act as a cushion between the bones of the shin and thigh. If at all meniscal tear occurs,  a fragment can break away and become stuck in the knee joint, causing the joint to lock, ie, meniscus tear is an injury to one of the bands of rubbery cartilage that act as shock absorbers for the knee.

Usually for garde 1 and 2 meniscal tear, treatment protocol is non surgical and includes physical therapy. But in case of repeated lock knee or grade 3 meniscal tear surgery might be opted. Ie, treatment is based on severity of the meniscal tear. Surgeries may include arthroscopic repair, arthroscopic partial meniscectomy or even arthroscopic total meniscectomy depending on severity.

Hope this helps you. Thank you ?