What does the word 'meniscus' mean?
meniscus noun. A lens which is convex on one side and concave on the other, being crescent-shaped in cross-section. Etymology: From μηνίσκος, from μήνη. meniscus noun. The curved surface of liquids in tubes, whether concave or convex, caused by the surface tension of the liquid. Etymology: From μηνίσκος, from μήνη.
What does meniscus mean in science terms?
Wiktionary (0.00 / 0 votes) Rate this definition:
- meniscus noun A crescent moon, or an object shaped like it. ...
- meniscus noun A lens which is convex on one side and concave on the other, being crescent-shaped in cross-section. ...
- meniscus noun The curved surface of liquids in tubes, whether concave or convex, caused by the surface tension of the liquid. ...
How do you heal a meniscus tear without surgery?
Treating a Torn Meniscus Without Surgery
- Your Knees and Your Menisci. The knee is a hinge joint. ...
- Nonsurgical Treatment for a Torn Meniscus. Your orthopedic doctor will consider your precise symptoms before deciding whether conservative (nonsurgical) treatment will work and will also factor in if your knee ...
- Orthopedic Doctor in the Triangle. ...
What happens if you leave a torn meniscus untreated?
The following are some of the things that can develop if your torn meniscus is left untreated: –Pieces of your meniscus can become loose and enter your knee joint, potentially causing excruciating pain or limiting your range of motion. –Pain, swelling, and inflammation can increase over time.
What is meniscus and why does it occur?
A meniscus is a curve in the surface of a molecular substance (water, of course) when it touches another material. With water, you can think of it as when water sticks to the inside of a glass.
Which part of the meniscus do you use?
For water and most liquids, this is the bottom of the meniscus. For mercury, take the measurement from the top of the meniscus. In either case, you are measuring based on the center of the meniscus.
Why do all glass containers have meniscus?
A concave meniscus, which is what you normally will see, occurs when the molecules of the liquid are attracted to those of the container. This occurs with water and a glass tube. A convex meniscus occurs when the molecules have a stronger attraction to each other than to the container, as with mercury and glass.
What is a meniscus and how do you read it?
The meniscus of a liquid is the upward or downward curve seen at the top of a liquid in a container. The nature of curve whether upward (convex) or downward (concave) depends on the surface tension the liquid and its adhesion capacity to the wall of the container.
Can you walk with a torn meniscus?
A torn meniscus usually produces well-localized pain in the knee. The pain often is worse during twisting or squatting motions. Unless the torn meniscus has locked the knee, many people with a torn meniscus can walk, stand, sit, and sleep without pain.
What is the fastest way to recover from meniscus surgery?
You will recover more quickly if you carefully follow all your doctor's instructions. In your first days after surgery, you will need apply ice frequently and elevate your knee above your heart to help relieve swelling. Be sure to get plenty of sleep, to help your body heal.
What is it called when you fill a glass to the top?
A concave meniscus occurs when the particles of the liquid are more strongly attracted to the container (adhesion) than to each other (cohesion), causing the liquid to climb the walls of the container. This occurs between water and glass.
Does oil have a meniscus?
The oil will have a convex meniscus similar to that of mercury.
Why is the meniscus of water different from mercury?
Mercury shows a convex meniscus (the centre is higher than the edges), because internal cohesive forces are stronger than the force between the glass wall and the metal. In contrast, water exhibits a concave meniscus, because the attraction between the wall and the water is stronger than the water's internal cohesion.
What is a torn meniscus in the knee?
The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of tough, rubbery cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between the shinbone and the thighbone. It can be torn if you suddenly twist your knee while bearing weight on it. A torn meniscus is one of the most common knee injuries.
What happens if you read the meniscus below eye level?
0:050:32Read Meniscus at Eye Level - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLevel when the eyes are above the level of the meniscus. The value read is less than the levelMoreLevel when the eyes are above the level of the meniscus. The value read is less than the level reading when the eyes are below the level of the meniscus. The value read is more than the level.
What is the top of the water called?
The top layer of the ocean is called the epipelagic zone.
Which meniscus is more mobile?
The lateral meniscus, on the outside of the knee, is more circular in shape. The lateral meniscus is more mobile than the medial meniscus as there is no attachment to the lateral collateral ligament or joint capsule. The outer edges of each meniscus attach to the tibia by the short coronary ligaments.
Which meniscus is more commonly injured?
The medial meniscus is more vulnerable to injury to due to its intimate attachment to the medial collateral ligament. The moveable lateral meniscus is less prone to tear except when the ACL is injured.
How do you read a meniscus in a graduated cylinder?
Follow the lowest point at the surface of the water to the wall of the graduated cylinder. Read the volumetric scale at this point. If you have trouble seeing the meniscus, try holding a black card against the opposite side of the graduated cylinder at the same height as the water.
How do you read a meniscus in chemistry?
A meniscus occurs because of surface tension in the liquid and must be read at eye level. For a concave meniscus, the correct volume will be read at the bottom of the curve. For a convex meniscus, the opposite is true and the correct reading will be at the top of the curve.
What is a Meniscus?
When I was a kid, I baked cookies with my mother. She would always remind me that when measuring the liquid ingredients like milk, oil, and water, I needed to get down and look from the same level as the liquid itself. Looking from above the liquid would produce an inaccurate measurement, which in baking can be quite disastrous.
What is the meniscus of a liquid?
What she was unknowingly describing is the meniscus of the liquid. This is the upward or downward curve at the surface of a liquid in a container.
How to read a concave meniscus?
Luckily, reading a meniscus is easy if you know how. For a concave meniscus, the volume of the liquid in the container is read from the bottom of the curve. You may notice a 'line' of liquid at the very top, forming the curve itself. The bottom of the curve is the lower side of this line.
Why do liquids have concave menisci?
Most liquids have concave menisci because the molecules of those liquids are more strongly attracted to the walls of their container than to each other. The liquid 'sticks' to the walls instead of lying flat, causing the downward curve. Some liquids, like mercury, have a convex meniscus because the opposite is true - the molecules ...
Why is a meniscus concave?
Depending on how the molecules of the liquid interact, this curve may either be concave or convex. A meniscus occurs because of surface tension in the liquid and must be read at eye level. For a concave meniscus, the correct volume will be read at the bottom of the curve.
Is a meniscus concave or convex?
A meniscus may be either concave or convex. A concave meniscus curves downward; if you are looking down from the top, it curves away from you, like the opening of a cave would. In contrast, a convex meniscus curves upward; if you are looking down into the container, the meniscus curves toward you.
Where to read volume on a convex meniscus?
The bottom of the curve is the lower side of this line. For a convex meniscus, you do the opposite and read the volume at the top of the curve. Again, you may notice the line that forms the curve itself, but you should read from the very top of that line for an accurate measurement.
What is the function of meniscus?
A healthy meniscus provides a gliding surface 5 times smoother than that. Menisci also triple joint contact area, decreasing joint pressure by distributing force over a large area. Without menisci, the tibial and femoral condyles would unite in a very small area, causing increased pressure and compression on surrounding articular cartilage.
What is a meniscus tear?
Tears of the meniscus usually occur by two different mechanisms. A traumatic meniscal tear occurs when a patient recalls a specific twisting event during sports or a trauma to the knee. Some meniscal tears can be complicated by also having an MCL Tear. If you want to learn more about torn MCL symptoms, go to: ...
What is the cartilage in the middle of the knee?
The quick answer is the meniscus is a C-shaped piece of soft and fibrous cartilage, also known as fibrocartilage, that provides shock absorption and cushion to your knee.
How are meniscus tears classified?
Meniscal tears are classified and treated based on: Location within the knee. Tear pattern. Complexity of the tear. Quality of the tissue. Depending on the type and location of the tear, you may not need surgical intervention. Tears of the meniscus usually occur by two different mechanisms.
Why do meniscus tears not heal?
Because the blood supply to the meniscus is poor, some tears of the meniscus usually do not heal on their own. Tears are often broken down into three zones based on vascularity: Red Zone – The outer perimeter of the meniscus with adequate blood supply. Red-White Zone – The transitional mid-zone of the meniscus.
How many menisci are there in the knee?
There are two menisci in each knee, one on the inside of the knee and one on the outside of the knee. These are known as your medial and lateral menisci, respectively.
What would happen if you had a complete meniscectomy?
Just to put it into perspective, if you were to have a complete lateral meniscectomy, contact pressure would increase upwards of 200%. That is a lot of pressure that your knees aren’t built to handle independently. To learn more about the knee, please watch this Knee Meniscus Anatomy Video.
What is a meniscus in science?
The Different Meanings of Meniscus in Science. Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. A meniscus is a phase boundary that has been curved because of surface tension .
Where is the meniscus measured?
Measure the meniscus at eye level from the center of the meniscus. For a concave meniscus, this it the lowest point or bottom of the meniscus. For a convex meniscus, this is the uppermost or top point of the liquid. A meniscus is seen between the air and water in a glass of water.
What is a concave meniscus?
Meniscus in Chemistry. A concave meniscus forms when the liquid molecules are more attracted to the container via adhesion than to each other via cohesion. A convex meniscus occurs when the liquid particles are more attracted to each other than to the walls of the container.
What is the difference between a meniscus and an articular disk?
In contrast, an articular disk is a structure that completely divides a joint cavity. Cite this Article.
What is used to hold a meniscus together?
When the meniscus is repaired, sutures are used to hold the meniscus together while the body heals the site. Pediatric meniscal tears treated with arthroscopy tend to heal better than those managed with other treatment options.
How to treat meniscus tear?
Specific treatment for a meniscus tear will be determined by your doctor based on: 1 Your age 2 Your overall health and medical history 3 How bad your injury is 4 How well you can tolerate specific medications, procedures, and therapies 5 The length of time it will take to heal 6 Your opinion or preference
What are the symptoms of a meniscus tear?
Symptoms of a meniscus tear may be different for each person, but some of the most common symptoms are:
How is an arthroscopy done?
During an arthroscopy, a small, lighted, optic tube (arthroscope) is inserted through a small incision in the joint. Images of the inside of the knee are then projected on a screen allowing the provider to repair or trim out the torn portion of the meniscus.
Where is the pain in the knee?
Pain in the knee joint: usually on the inside (medial), outside (lateral) or back of the knee
Who is the expert in hip and knee replacement surgery?
An expert in hip and knee replacement surgery, Savya Thakkar discusses common reasons for knee replacement, the procedure, the types of implants and recovery.
What is a torn meniscus?
Torn meniscus. The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of tough, rubbery cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your shinbone and thighbone. It can be torn if you suddenly twist your knee while bearing weight on it. A torn meniscus is one of the most common knee injuries.
How to tell if you tore your meniscus?
If you've torn your meniscus, you might have the following signs and symptoms in your knee: 1 A popping sensation 2 Swelling or stiffness 3 Pain, especially when twisting or rotating your knee 4 Difficulty straightening your knee fully 5 Feeling as though your knee is locked in place when you try to move it 6 Feeling of your knee giving way
What does it mean when your knee is popping?
A popping sensation. Swelling or stiffness. Pain, especially when twisting or rotating your knee. Difficulty straightening your knee fully. Feeling as though your knee is locked in place when you try to move it. Feeling of your knee giving way.
Can a torn meniscus be caused by a squat?
A torn meniscus can result from any activity that causes you to forcefully twist or rotate your knee, such as aggressive pivoting or sudden stops and turns. Even kneeling, deep squatting or lifting something heavy can sometimes lead to a torn meniscus. In older adults, degenerative changes of the knee can contribute to a torn meniscus ...
Can a torn meniscus be a risk?
Performing activities that involve aggressive twisting and pivoting of the knee puts you at risk of a torn meniscus. The risk is particularly high for athletes — especially those who participate in contact sports, such as football, or activities that involve pivoting, such as tennis or basketball.
What is meniscus transplant?
What is meniscus replacement (meniscus transplant)? A meniscus replacement is surgery to replace a damaged or torn meniscus. The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage in the knee. You have two of them (menisci) in each knee, one on the inside and one on the outside.
How do they put a meniscus in the knee?
Your provider removes any part of the meniscus that’s still in the knee and puts the healthy meniscus in place. They use sutures (stitches) or screws to connect the meniscus to the shinbone and the knee joint capsule.
How do surgeons perform meniscus transplants?
Surgeons usually perform a meniscus transplant using a common procedure called knee arthroscopy. Your provider inserts a tiny camera through a small incision. The camera shows images of the inside of your knee on a screen in the operating room.
What happens after a meniscus replacement?
After a meniscus replacement, some people tear the new meniscus and need another surgery. Most commonly, this secondary surgery is a debridement (a procedure to remove other torn or damaged cartilage).
How long does it take for a meniscus to heal?
Recovery time is usually about a month. But you may need to take a break from some sports and activities for up to a year to give your knee time to heal completely. Appointments & Access.
What is the recovery for meniscus surgery?
Meniscus surgery recovery includes rest and physical therapy (PT). When you’re ready, your provider will recommend a customized PT program. Special exercises and stretches will strengthen the muscles around your knee and improve your range of motion.
What are the factors that determine a meniscus transplant?
A successful meniscus transplant depends on several factors, including: The size, shape and placement of the transplanted tissue. Your commitment to a PT program following surgery. Your overall health, the alignment of your ligaments and the condition of your knee.
What is a torn meniscus?
A torn meniscus is a very common knee injury. Often, athletes and people who play sports for fun suffer meniscus tears. The injury also commonly affects older people and those with arthritis in their knees.
How to repair a torn meniscus?
Surgery is a very effective way to repair a torn meniscus. If the tear is too big to repair, your surgeon may remove all or part of the meniscus. After recovery, your knee will be more stable, and you’ll be less likely to develop additional knee problems.
How to know if you have a meniscus tear?
People who tear a meniscus often feel like something has popped in their knee at the time of the injury. Other symptoms include: Feeling like your knee might give out beneath you. Having knee pain or stiffness or a swollen knee. Being unable to fully bend or straighten your leg.
What happens if your meniscus doesn't heal?
If your torn meniscus doesn’t heal properly, your knee won’t be as stable as it was before the injury. That can increase your risk of other knee injuries — like an ACL tear or other torn ligament.
Why do my knees tear?
As you get older, the cartilage in your knees wears down and gets weaker. This thinner cartilage can tear more easily. Arthritis (a breakdown of cartilage in the joints) can also lead to a meniscus tear.
What is the cartilage in the knee?
Two pieces of cartilage sit inside your knee, between your thighbone (femur) and shinbone (tibia). This cartilage is the meniscus. The rubbery wedges of cartilage act like shock absorbers for your knee, providing cushioning for your bones and knee joint. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.
What tests are done to check for swelling in the knee?
Your healthcare provider will physically examine your knee, looking for signs of swelling. They will test your range of motion. You may also get imaging tests, such as X-rays or an MRI, to assess the damage. Your provider may recommend knee arthroscopy to better view and accurately diagnose your injury.
What is meniscus surgery?
Meniscus surgery is an operation to remove or repair a torn meniscus, a piece of cartilage in the knee.
How long does it take to heal a torn meniscus?
Meniscus surgery is a common operation to remove or repair a torn meniscus, a piece of cartilage in the knee. The surgery requires a few small incisions and takes about an hour. Recovery and rehabilitation take a few weeks. The procedure can reduce pain, improve mobility and stability, and get you back to life’s activities.
Why do meniscus tears hurt?
Many people with a torn meniscus choose surgery because the injured cartilage can make the knee unstable (buckle and give way), cause pain and swelling or cause the knee to “lock-up” or become “stuck.”.
How long does it take to walk after meniscus surgery?
Most people can walk with crutches soon after meniscus surgery. Many return to normal activities within six to eight weeks.
What happens before meniscus surgery?
What happens before torn meniscus surgery? If you and your surgeon decide to move forward with surgery for a torn meniscus, you may have some tests in advance . For example, blood tests, electrocardiogram (EKG) and chest X-ray can help determine whether you are healthy enough for surgery.
How long does it take to repair a meniscus tear?
The most common procedure for a torn meniscus is knee arthroscopy. It usually takes less than an hour. First, you receive anesthesia. The surgical team cleans the skin on your knee and covers the rest of your leg with a surgical drape. The team might place a clamp on your upper thigh to help with positioning during surgery.
What type of anesthesia is used for pain control?
Regional anesthesia is a shot that numbs your body from the waist down. General anesthesia is medication that puts you to sleep.
