What is a cartilage tear?
Most body joints contain a soft tissue called cartilage that helps to absorb shock and protect the ends of the bones. The tearing of the cartilage can occur with direct injury, frequent excessive use of the joint or degenerative condition such as arthritis. Small tears can only cause little discomfort and swelling with physical activity, but a large tear in the main body joint can be debilitating. It is important to see a doctor if the joint feels stiff and painful to get an accurate diagnosis and make sure the bones and ligaments are intact. Most people can recover from their injuries with relaxation and medication, but surgery may be essential for a bad tear of cartilage. Injuries are most common in the joints that are subjected to most pressure, including knees, ankles, wrists and spine. Tears are often the result of sudden, unpleasant twists, falls and bends. Excessive use of the joint can gradually burden the cartilage and other types of tissue that can cause weakness and swelling. Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthrosis andOther degenerative conditions destroy tissue and significantly increase the likelihood of cartilage rupture.
tears that are the result of gradual degeneration may not be immediately noticeable. The person may notice tenderness, swelling and stiffness after an activity that disappears after a few hours of rest. In the case of acute injury, pain and swelling are often immediate. Elbe in the knee, hip or ankle can cause it to be unpleasant or impossible to carry weight.
Medical evaluation is important after acute damage or deterioration of chronic symptoms. The doctor can check the burst of cartilage with a joint feeling, ask about symptoms and perform imaging scanning. X -rays and magnetic resonance imaging tests can detect the deterioration of cartilage and any other damage to tendons, ligaments and bone endings. The decision on treatment is made on the basis of the severity of damage and symptoms.
patients with relatively smallMi tears are usually given painkillers and instructed to consist of their joints for about two weeks. The use of ice packages and maintaining a lifted sore joint can help relieve swelling. Once the symptoms are resolved, a slight exercise can be recommended to convert flexibility before returning to normal activity.
serious tears are unlikely to have sufficiently healing themselves, but surgery can be performed to repair or replace the tissue. The surgeon can check the tear, implant a new cartilage tissue, or insert support metal screws into the joint. With several months of physical therapy, most patients can recover after surgery.