Knee-joint. Meniscus damage. Treatment of meniscus of the kneecap Pain in the meniscus of the knee joint symptoms and treatment

Damage to the knee meniscus, according to official statistics, occupies one of the leading places among injuries to the joint of the same name.

Most often it is the result of a fall on straightened lower limbs or another sports injury, as well as a degenerative process that arose against the background of repeated damage to cartilage tissue, metabolic disorders, rheumatism, and chronic intoxication.

Damage to the meniscus of the knee joint is one of the most common injuries

Symptoms and treatment of meniscus injuries have their own characteristics, and therefore require careful diagnosis and a professional approach. Only competent treatment of the disease will allow a person to completely restore a sore knee without serious consequences for its normal functioning.

As is known, the menisci are a paired organ consisting of cartilage cells and located in the cavity of the bone joint. They are designed to provide protection and additional cushioning during movements, as well as to reduce unnecessary movement and reduce the intensity of friction in it.

The main cause of damage to the meniscus is an unexpected, sharp blow to the cup with sliding, a fall of this area onto steps or other ribbed surface, which are accompanied by a sudden turn of the tibia outward, as well as inward.

The pathological condition is often diagnosed in representatives of sports professions, in particular football players.

Damage to the meniscus of the knee joint is very common in athletes

This type of injury often affects people who spend a lot of time standing.

Rupture or partial tear of the cartilage pad is sometimes the result of its degenerative degeneration, provoked by a number of factors, including:

• chronic intoxication;
• rheumatoid process;
• frequent microtrauma of the menisci;
• knee joint.

Degenerative damage to the meniscus is a long-term process. As it progresses, a person's articular surfaces slowly erode, and the functioning of the knee joint is disrupted. Such changes without adequate therapy lead to inevitable disability and complete loss of the ability to make full movements in the joint.

Classification of the disease

The choice of tactics for further treatment of the disease depends on the severity of the disorders.

Modern traumatologists decide on the advisability of using one or another type of therapy based on the classification of meniscus damage according to Stoller.

According to this classification, there are four main degrees of pathological changes in the cartilage tissue of the knee:

• 0 degree– the absence of any changes, indicating the normal state of the menisci;
• 1st degree– the presence of a local focal signal with increased intensity without reaching the surface of the cartilaginous structure;
• 2nd degree– the presence of a linear horizontal signal of increased intensity with a partial violation of the integrity of the cartilage, which also does not reach its surface (damage to the meniscus of the 2nd degree according to Stoller does not imply a violation of its general anatomical structure);
• 3rd degree– the presence of a linear signal with a high level of intensity reaching the surface of the cartilage (grade 3 meniscus damage according to Stoller is also characterized by complete separation of the cartilage pad or its partial displacement relative to the normal location).

Degree of damage to the meniscus of the knee joint

Depending on the damage to the anatomical structures, in traumatology the following types of meniscus damage are distinguished:

• tearing at the point of attachment, namely in the area of ​​the anterior or posterior horn, as well as the body located directly near the articular capsule;
• rupture of the internal part of the body, which is located away from the capsule of the knee joint;
• combination of pericapsular avulsion and internal rupture of the cartilaginous plate;
• chondropathy of the meniscus caused by its degeneration;
• cystic transformation of the cartilaginous tissue of the meniscus.

In medical practice, a distinction is also made between longitudinal and transverse injuries, complete and incomplete tears, flap-like and fragmented meniscal tears.

Features of the clinical picture

At the initial stages of the disease, the symptoms of damage to the meniscus of the knee joint are very similar to the signs of other ailments of the specified anatomical structure.

As the reactive inflammatory manifestations subside, other pathological signs begin to come to the fore, more accurately characterizing the nature of the disease:

• severe diffuse pain in the knee area;
• increase in size of the joint;
• increase in local temperature;
• disruption of muscle tissue trophism in the affected area;
• inability to play sports due to severe pain;
• difficulty getting up or down stairs;
• the appearance of a characteristic click when bending the knee joint.

You will learn more about how to determine meniscus damage from the video:

Signs of damage to the meniscus of the knee joint are rarely specific and can also be observed with bruises of the joint, arthrosis changes and sprains.

In this regard, the disease requires careful diagnosis, which will establish the true nature of the disorders and help determine their degree.

Diagnostic highlights

How to determine meniscal damage? Currently, there are many instrumental techniques that allow confirming such a diagnosis.

In the process of diagnosing the disease, doctors prescribe the following examinations to the patient:

• MRI, which allows you to accurately determine the localization of the pathological process, its severity and the presence of complications;
• X-ray examination of the knee joint in several projections, which is relatively informative;
• ultrasound diagnostics with tissue visualization, which allows you to determine signs of the inflammatory process and assess the amount of synovial fluid;
• , which makes it possible not only to diagnose violations, but also to correct them.

Read more about hardware methods for diagnosing joint pathologies

Modern approach to treatment

How to treat meniscus damage? Pathology is one of the ailments that require an integrated approach to therapy. Before treating damage to the meniscus of the knee joint, the doctor prescribes a series of tests for the patient aimed at diagnosing the disease itself and the degree of its severity.

Sooner or later, every person will wonder what the meniscus of the knee joint is. In fact, joint injuries are not so rare, and occur not only in older people, but also in young people, so it is very important to figure out how to prevent them, and, if necessary, treat them. In this article we will look at what the meniscus of the knee joint is, as well as what types of injuries there are and methods for diagnosing them.

What is a meniscus?

So, the meniscus is a layer of cartilage that is located inside the knee joint itself and has the shape of a crescent. In the human body, this part of the cartilage tissue is very important, as it performs a shock-absorbing function while walking. It is very important to understand what the meniscus of the knee joint is in order to protect yourself from knee injuries. Most often, meniscus diseases occur as a result of injury, excessive physical activity, degeneration, and also ruptures. According to statistics, meniscus diseases most often affect representatives of the stronger sex between the ages of eighteen and forty.

In fact, the knee joints contain two menisci: the inner and the outer. Their main purpose is shock absorption during walking and other movements. Such layers, consisting of cartilage tissue, prevent friction in the joints themselves, while reducing the load on them during running, walking, jumping and other sports exercises. The internal meniscus is not very mobile, which is why it is injured much more often than the external one. A knee meniscal injury (treatment described below) is the most common knee injury. Very often, athletes who play sports professionally face this problem.

Main causes of damage

We have already looked at what the meniscus of the knee joint is. Now it’s worth understanding for what reasons pathologies can arise. Very often, the meniscus is damaged as a result of a strong blow to the knee itself, or due to an injury during which the knee sharply turns outward, or, conversely, inward. It can also occur as a result of excessive extension of the knee joint from a flexed position. Very often, the first meniscus injury leads to a chronic condition, so after the incident you need to treat your joints with extreme caution.

People with chronic diseases of the knee joints are at particular risk. For example, athletes who suffer persistent knee injuries will be more susceptible to meniscus damage. With each damage, the cartilage tissue will become thinner and thinner. It will begin to delaminate, erosion and cracks will appear on it, which will increase in size every day. The meniscus itself begins to deteriorate, so shock absorption during walking and movement will become impossible.

Very often, the meniscus is damaged in overweight people, as well as in those who engage in heavy physical labor or work in a standing position.

People involved in football, running, figure skating, hockey and other outdoor sports have a huge risk of meniscus injuries. Damage to the meniscus can be a consequence of pre-existing diseases such as gout and arthritis. If treatment is not started in time, this can lead to the knee joint simply losing its function.

How can you tell if your knee meniscus is damaged?

Most often, only one knee is damaged. It is very rare that damage to both joints occurs at once. The meniscus of the knee joint (symptoms and treatment are described in this article) during the injury is either torn or pinched between the cartilage tissue of the knee itself. At the moment of injury, a person will notice a strong click in the knee, followed by severe pain. The pain is so sharp and strong that the affected person usually cannot move and simply stops. Such severe pain lasts for several minutes, after which the human body gets used to such severe pain. The person can already move a little, but still experiences discomfort and burning pain.

Damage to the meniscus of the knee joint is always very painful. Symptoms only intensify on the second day after the injury. It is almost impossible to make any movements with the leg, and pain makes itself felt even with the slightest attempt to move. However, if you are at rest, the pain will not be so severe. According to doctors, the younger the patient, the more difficult it will be for him to endure the injury. Elderly people have less elastic joints, so damage to them is usually not accompanied by such severe pain.

Usually, already on the second or third day after the injury, the knee becomes very swollen. In fact, this body reaction is protective. Articular fluid begins to be produced in excessively large quantities, intra-articular pressure increases, so the articular surfaces will try to free the pinched meniscus. Unfortunately, most often the human body is unable to cope with this problem on its own. But still, in some cases with minor damage this is possible.

Usually the disease is acute for about two to three weeks. After this, the patient usually notices improvements. Pain sensations decrease and swelling subsides. A torn meniscus of the knee joint, the treatment of which must begin immediately, is a very dangerous disease, and in some cases leads to a complete loss of joint mobility. Therefore, it is very important to consult a doctor for diagnosis and prescribing the correct course of treatment.

What are the types of meniscal injuries?

The meniscus of the knee joint (symptoms and treatment are described in detail in this article) is not so difficult to damage. This can be done not only by athletes, but also by ordinary people in everyday life. The most common types of damage to the cartilaginous knee area are:

• complete separation of the meniscus from its attachment site;
• rupture of the intermeniscal ligaments, leading to excessive joint mobility;
• chronic knee injury;
• presence of cysts;
• a combination of several types of damage.

Each injury mentioned above is very dangerous and therefore requires immediate treatment. It is better to see a doctor on the same day.

What is the danger?

A rupture of the meniscus of the knee joint, the treatment of which must be prescribed in a timely manner, is very dangerous for human health. A rupture can lead to a blockage in the joint, so it will be impossible to make any movements with the leg. In addition, the joint itself will also be damaged, which, without reliable shock absorption, will simply deform over time.

And damage to such an important cartilage layer as the meniscus can lead to problems in the future. People who frequently injure their knees are prone to developing arthrosis.

Diagnostic methods

Meniscus of the knee joint (symptoms are described in this article) is very important to start treating correctly and on time. To do this, you need to undergo a timely diagnosis. An accurate diagnosis can only be made if you understand the reasons for the injury. The specialist will offer the patient to undergo a comprehensive diagnosis, which will help to accurately establish the diagnosis. First of all, he will undergo simple and contrast arthrography, as well as ultrasound scanning. If necessary, the doctor will also perform arthroscopy, MRI and thermopolarography.

Arthroscopy is a very effective method for examining damaged joints. Arthrography is also a very effective procedure. During this procedure, oxygen is injected into the joint itself, allowing you to get good pictures in several projections. Thanks to such images, an experienced specialist will be able to determine the presence of injury and select the correct treatment methods.

Knee meniscus: treatment with conservative methods

Treatment of meniscal injuries can be carried out using several methods, depending on the type and degree of injury. Conservative or surgical treatment is usually used.

The first treatment method is used to reduce the load on the joint, relieve pain, and eliminate inflammatory processes in the body. During such treatment, doctors strongly recommend performing special gymnastics and strengthening the leg muscles.

If this method of treatment does not give the desired results, then you need to resort to surgical intervention.

Surgery on the meniscus of the knee joint

Only a doctor can say for sure whether it is possible to manage with conservative treatment methods for damaged meniscus, or whether it is worth undergoing surgery. Most often, patients hope that after treatment with ointments and tablets, surgery may not be necessary at all. However, in real life everything is far from being like that. According to experts, surgery on the knee joint for meniscus damage will be most effective if it is performed immediately after the injury. This way the joint will recover much faster, and there will be a much lower chance of complications.

Typically, surgical intervention is indicated for patients in cases where meniscal tears become significant, or cartilage tissue is crushed or torn off.

Today, surgery can be performed using two methods: open and closed. During the first of them, specialists will open the joint cavity. But the second method is safer and more gentle. In modern medicine it is called arthroscopy. This technique has the following advantages:

• a specialist will be able to diagnose the type of damage as accurately as possible;
• Moreover, this method causes little trauma to surrounding tissues;
• During the operation there is no need to make large incisions in the joint capsule;
• After surgery, the leg can not be fixed in one position, which is very comfortable for the patient. In addition, the length of hospital stay will be significantly reduced.

How is meniscus repair performed?

It is possible to restore the meniscus in the presence of fresh injuries to the knee joint. In this case, special sutures will be placed on the damaged area using the arthroscopic method. Typically, this procedure is performed for people under the age of forty if there are indications such as a minor tear of the meniscus or its vertical tear. This procedure can only be carried out if there are no degenerative processes in the cartilage tissue.

Very often, surgery on the meniscus of the knee joint is performed using various devices that dissolve over time. They allow you to fix the meniscus in the desired position.

Removal and transplantation

Surgery on the knee joint for damaged meniscus may also involve complete or partial replacement of cartilage tissue. Such surgical intervention is carried out if the cartilage tissue is crushed, or complications arise after undergoing surgical or conservative treatment. Modern medicine deals with partial removal of the meniscus, while simultaneously straightening out the damaged tissue. But complete removal is very rare and is done only in extreme cases, since there is a high risk of developing postoperative complications.

It is very important to treat a knee meniscus injury correctly. If the injury was serious enough, then specialists use the transplantation method. For this purpose, both synthetic and donor tissues are used. The graft will be inserted into a small incision. It is very important to accurately determine its size so that complications do not arise after the operation.

Rehabilitation period after surgery

Damage to the meniscus of the knee joint is always a serious pathology that is not so easy to cope with. If the patient was treated surgically, then it is very important to undergo a proper rehabilitation period. Usually it is divided into several stages, each of which must be completed. Immediately after the operation, outpatient treatment is carried out, which consists of the use of antibacterial and antithrombotic drugs. Experts also recommend undergoing a special lymphatic drainage massage. If necessary, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs can be used. A very important rehabilitation stage is performing special gymnastic exercises. Moreover, at the initial stage, all of them should be carried out under the strict supervision of a specialist.

The next stage of rehabilitation is late recovery. If the previous recovery stage lasted about two months, then this stage may take much longer. The tasks of late recovery include establishing the functioning of the joint, restoring its position and toning the muscle tissue of the lower extremities.

Good results can also be achieved using physiotherapy methods. They allow you to speed up the recovery process in cartilage tissue, and also normalize blood circulation and regenerate the soft tissue surrounding the damaged joint. The most effective physiotherapeutic procedures are massage, electrophoresis, as well as laser and magnet therapy. Of course, all procedures should be carried out by an experienced clinic worker, but massage can also be done at home. The main thing is to do it correctly, without putting too much pressure on the damaged joint.

The meniscus of the knee joint, the treatment of which is described in the article, is a very important cartilage tissue in the human body that performs a shock-absorbing function. Therefore, if there is any damage to the meniscus, it is very important to consult a doctor in a timely manner. The medial meniscus of the knee joint requires urgent treatment, surgical intervention is also possible, so it is better not to delay and contact the clinic in time. If the doctor reports the need for surgical intervention, you should not refuse, because very often conservative treatment does not give the desired results.

M26.3 is the ICD code for damage to the meniscus of the knee joint. According to this code, you can learn everything about the treatment of meniscal pathologies, taking into account global treatment features.

conclusions

I would like to say that moderation is good in everything. Most often, knee injuries occur among athletes, so try to be more responsible about your health. The ICD-10 code “Damage to the meniscus of the knee joint” allows patients to familiarize themselves in detail with the features of the disease. Experts strongly recommend consuming vitamins and microelements to keep joints in good shape. Be healthy and take care of yourself!

The meniscus is cartilage tissue that serves as a shock absorber for the knee joint. During movement, it compresses, limiting the mobility of the unit and reducing friction. Due to regular flexion and extension, the human knee is subjected to high stress, leading to injury.

The risk of injury is especially high in people involved in sports and dancing, but careless movements in everyday life can damage the knee meniscus. The risk of injury increases in older people.

Meniscus of the knee - symptoms of inflammation and rupture

In a healthy knee joint, movement occurs easily and painlessly. The cartilage pad fixes it, eliminating excessive knee extension.

The meniscus consists of two parts:

• internal (medial), which has limited mobility, is more often exposed to diseases and injuries;
• external (lateral) – the organ has good mobility, so it suffers less often.

Statistics from traumatologists indicate the prevalence of cases when the knee meniscus ruptures; they account for 75% of all closed injuries.

Depending on the impact, cartilage may be torn from the joint or one of the following types of rupture may occur:

• horizontal;
• longitudinal;
• patchwork;
• “watering can handle”;
• radial.

Traumatic injury is very painful and cannot be ignored.

The acute stage is characterized by the following symptoms:

• knee tumor;
• limited mobility;
• joint blockade;
• the moment of injury is accompanied by a special click and a sharp shooting pain.

Inflammation of the knee meniscus can occur not only with a serious injury; its symptoms arise due to age-related changes in the organ and high physical activity. It is not accompanied by such clear signs as acute trauma.

The patient can move, the pain is tolerable, so a visit to the doctor and treatment are unnecessarily postponed. Such negligence towards one’s own health leads to serious damage to cartilage tissue, which cannot be corrected with conservative treatment - surgery will be required.

What symptoms require a visit to the doctor?

If you regularly experience the following symptoms:

• aching pain in the knee;
• while walking you hear crunching, clicking or other sounds;
• swelling of the knee appears;
• joint displacement is observed.

To diagnose the pathology, identifying the gap, the doctor uses a special knee extension test.

In addition to external examination, the following is used to establish a diagnosis:

• CT scan;
• radiography using contrast of the joint;
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging);
• ultrasonography;
• arthroscopy - this method is also used in treatment.

Causes of meniscus damage

High stress on the knee joint is a common cause of meniscus tear. More often than others, injuries are sustained by men whose work and lifestyle involve sports or other types of physical activity. Children and adolescents are rarely exposed to the disease; their cartilage tissue is elastic and has good extensibility.

Main causes of injuries:

1. Rupture of the cartilage is facilitated by a sudden movement of the lower leg, accompanied by rotation of the knee, but without movement of the foot.
2. The injury occurs as a result of a direct blow to the knee with a heavy object.
3. An unsuccessful fall, walking single file, sitting for a long time in a squatting position - all these factors lead to rupture of cartilage tissue, causing inflammation.

The condition of an organ plays a significant role in its resistance to injury. Chronic degenerative diseases of the joints, their congenital weakness, stress due to excess body weight, intoxication of the body, which has led to thinning of the cartilage - all these reasons increase the chance of injury.

The meniscus is supplied with nutrition through the joint capsule; its internal part has no blood supply; it functions due to intra-articular fluid.

When the outer part of the meniscus is torn, tissue healing occurs normally, but the deep part does not recover on its own. Its treatment includes surgery.

Knee meniscus: treatment – ​​conservative or surgical?

If there is a slight tear or pinching, conservative treatment is carried out. It begins with anesthesia of the damaged area. At home, when a joint hurts, it is recommended to use ice to freeze it. The traumatologist prescribes medications and procedures after examination, depending on the nature of the injury.

A prerequisite for treatment is long-term immobility of the limb. This position is acceptable for people who are not professionally involved in sports or dancing. After a long period of rest, the leg muscles atrophy, making it impossible to regain athletic shape.

Conservative treatment includes:

• intra-articular injections of drugs that relieve inflammation;
• taking medications;
• a course of restoration of cartilage tissue with the help of hyaluronic acid and chondroprotectors;
• manual therapy sessions;
• physiotherapy and exercise therapy;
• wearing an elastic bandage or bandage.

The injured knee hurts a lot, so the doctor prescribes analgesics.

Surgery is necessary when symptoms and diagnosis reveal severe tissue rupture and inflammation. The main tasks of the doctor in this situation are to preserve the organ and restore its functioning as much as possible.

If symptoms of inflammation are noticed at an early stage, then arthroscopy is prescribed. This procedure is outpatient, the doctor eliminates inflammation, stimulating blood flow. The device is inserted through a microscopic incision. The tear is repaired by stitching or the meniscus is fixed with special devices. The procedure is effective for fresh inflammation and rupture up to 1 cm; it is performed for young people under the age of 40. The treatment is characterized by low trauma and rapid rehabilitation of the patient.

If the meniscus cannot be sutured or partially removed, then to avoid complications, it is cut out completely. This operation is called meniscectomy. After this, a synthetic prosthesis or donor meniscus is installed.

Ways to restore joint mobility

Rehabilitation after knee surgery should be under the supervision of a physician. He will prepare an individual set of restoration measures. Knee exercises after meniscus surgery begin after the cartilage tissue has fused, approximately 2 weeks later. They are carried out with a gradual increase in the volume of movement. At the stage of immobilization of the joint, you can only change the position of the limb, lowering it from the bed and raising it to an elevated position.

Physiotherapy is an integral part of the recovery period. Laser exposure and magnetic therapy improve blood circulation in tissues.

After arthroscopy, rehabilitation takes a shorter period; after a month, the patient can move independently.

When performing exercises, it is necessary to focus on strengthening the muscles that support the recovering joint. Exercises on an exercise bike and aqua aerobics in the pool are useful.

Even when the knee no longer hurts, you cannot refuse auxiliary devices.

Patients with weakened cartilage pads are recommended to wear special elastic knee pads. They relieve some of the load from the joint, preventing its re-inflammation.

mjusli.ru

Meniscus of the knee joint is a disease that is more common among athletes. Among diseases of the knee joint, the meniscus occupies a leading position.

Menisci are layers of cartilage that reduce friction and act as a kind of shock absorber that stabilizes the joint in the knee. The meniscus is divided into lateral and medial. In more than 70% of cases, the medial meniscus is damaged because it is less mobile, less often the lateral one – 20%.

Why is the meniscus damaged?

Menisci are important because they have stabilizing properties. When walking and running, they help prevent wear and tear on the knee joint.

The main causes of meniscus:

• Blows, falls and knee bruises.
• Sharp bending of the knee from a bent leg position.
• Knee injuries in which the tibia rotates outward or inward.
• Development of the meniscus against the background of degenerative changes.
• Repeated knee injuries.
• The presence of rheumatism, chronic pathologies, etc.

Knee injuries are most common among young people involved in sports. Athletes more often experience injuries to one meniscus. Injuries develop as a result of squats under weight (squats with dumbbells), from impacts in football players, and from falls in skiers. Any sport that involves activity of the knee joint provokes a meniscus tear. Inflammation of the meniscus is a kind of signal that you need to contact a specialist for further diagnosis and treatment.

After a bruise or injury, a person feels a click in the knee, which provokes sharp pain. Over time, severe pain goes away and adaptation occurs, but the discomfort remains. Some athletes prefer to ignore their symptoms without consulting a doctor, but over time, if they receive more serious injuries, the meniscus will become inflamed and then surgical intervention will not be necessary.

The symptoms of the disease depend on the acute or chronic periods. The acute period is characterized by:

- acute pain on palpation;

- swelling and inflammation;

- pain when walking;

- increased body temperature in the area of ​​inflammation;

- a characteristic click when bending-extending the knee;

- bruises and redness in the knee area.

With a meniscus, the patient experiences severe pain that provokes lameness. In other cases, the disease may slightly bother a person, causing aching pain that soon passes.

Diagnosing meniscus is not so easy at first glance, since the disease is similar to other knee injuries. To establish an accurate diagnosis, the patient is prescribed a series of studies, including: ultrasound scanning, MRI, arthrography, arthroscopy.

Based on the results of the tests, the patient is prescribed treatment, which can be surgical or conservative.

Meniscus treatment

Depending on age, level of physical and sports training and lifestyle, patients are prescribed different treatments. The treatment itself takes place in several stages:

• Physiotherapy.
• Reconstructive surgery.
• Miniscectomy (removal of the meniscus).

The operation to remove the meniscus is called arthroscopy, and is usually an open operation. There are cases when the operation is performed with minimal intervention using endoscopy. Surgical intervention for inflammation of the meniscus has its advantages:

— the possibility of a quick recovery period after surgery;

- absence of large incisions and, accordingly, scars;

— lack of a special postoperative plaster cast;

— the ability to perform the operation on an outpatient basis.

After the operation, the surgeon prescribes physical therapy, which lasts on average about 3 weeks. During the recovery period, therapeutic exercises are performed to tone the muscles.

Currently, modern medicine involves removing a small part of the meniscus, which in the future will protect the patient from developing arthrosis. There are various types of interventions that are indicated for different cases, so it is important to promptly contact a surgeon for examination and further treatment.

stanzdorovei.ru

In the clinical picture of meniscus damage, acute and chronic periods are distinguished. Diagnosis of meniscal injuries in the acute period is difficult due to the presence of symptoms of reactive specific inflammation, which also occur with other internal injuries of the joint. Characterized by local pain along the insertion gap corresponding to the area of ​​damage (body, anterior horn), severe limitation of movements, especially extension, severe hemarthrosis or effusion. With a single injury, bruises, tears, pinching and even crushing of the meniscus without tearing it off and separating it from the capsule are more common. Predisposing factors for complete rupture of a previously undamaged meniscus are degenerative phenomena and inflammatory processes in it. With proper conservative treatment of such damage, complete recovery can be achieved.

After the reactive phenomena subside (after 2-3 weeks - the subacute period), the true picture of the damage is revealed, which is characterized by a number of typical clinical symptoms in the presence of an appropriate history and mechanism of injury: local pain and infiltration of the capsule at the level of the joint space, often effusion and joint blockade. Various characteristic pain tests confirm the damage. The number of these tests is large. The most informative of them are the following: symptoms of extension (Roche, Baikov, Landa, etc.); rotational (Shteiman - Bragarda); compression symptoms and mediolateral test.

The so-called voiced tests, i.e., symptoms of sliding and movement of the menisci and clicking during passive movements, are also of great importance in the diagnosis of meniscal injuries. The most typical and easiest to recognize a medial meniscus tear is a true joint block (a “watering can handle” meniscus tear). In this case, the joint is fixed at an angle of 150-170°, depending on the size of the displaced part of the meniscus. True blockade of the meniscus must be differentiated from reflex muscle contracture, which often occurs with bruises, damage to the capsular ligament apparatus and entrapment of intra-articular bodies (chondromalacia, chondromatosis, Koenig's disease, Hoffa's disease, etc.). We must not forget about the possibility of pinching the hypertrophied pterygoid fold (plica alaris). Unlike blockade of the joint by the meniscus, these infringements are short-term, easily eliminated, harmless, but are often accompanied by effusions.

In case of damage to the outer meniscus, joint blockades occur much less frequently, since the meniscus, due to its mobility, is more often subject to compression than to tearing. In this case, the meniscus is crushed by the articular condyles, which with repeated injuries leads to degeneration and often cystic degeneration. Discoid menisci are especially often cystic. The most characteristic symptoms of damage to the external meniscus are local pain in the outer part of the joint space, aggravated by internal rotation of the leg, swelling and infiltration in this area; a symptom of a click or roll and, less often, a symptom of blockade.

Many of the listed symptoms of meniscal damage also occur with other injuries and diseases of the knee joint, so timely recognition of a meniscal tear in some cases presents significant difficulties. A carefully collected anamnesis is the main diagnostic criterion. Pain tests, as a rule, are not detected, there is no irritation of the synovium. There is only a positive Chaklin's symptom (tailor's test), sometimes a sound phenomenon (clicking, rolling, friction). A plain radiograph reveals a narrowing of the corresponding parts of the joint space with signs of deforming arthrosis. In such cases, paraclinical methods help. Great difficulties are encountered with atypical forms of the meniscus (discoid or continuous meniscus), with chronic trauma (meniscopathy), rupture of the ligamentous apparatus of the meniscus (hypermobile meniscus), and damage to both menisci.

A discoid, predominantly external, meniscus is characterized by a rolling symptom (clicking knee). Due to its massiveness, it is more often subject to crushing by articular surfaces, which leads to degeneration or cystic degeneration.

There are three degrees of cystic degeneration of the external meniscus (according to I. R. Voronovich). Grade I is characterized by cystic degeneration of meniscus tissue (cysts are detected only histologically). Clinically, moderate pain and infiltration of the capsule are determined. In grade II, cystic changes spread to the meniscus tissue and the pericapsular zone. Clinically, in addition to the indicated symptoms, a small painless protrusion is detected in the anteromedial part of the external joint space, which decreases or disappears when the knee joint is extended (due to movement of the meniscus deep into the joint). In grade III, the cyst involves parameniscal tissue; mucous degeneration occurs with the formation of cystic cavities not only in the meniscal tissue, but also in the surrounding capsule and ligaments. The tumor-like formation reaches a significant size and does not disappear when the joint is extended. Diagnosis of degrees II and III is not difficult.

Chronic microtrauma of the menisci is characterized by poor anamnestic and clinical data. With meniscopathy, there is usually no history of significant trauma; pain along the joint space, synovitis, and atrophy of the inner head of the quadriceps femoris muscle periodically appear. Meniscopathy also develops when there is a static disorder (valgus, varus knee, flat feet, etc.). Arthroscopy makes it possible to detect degenerative changes: the meniscus, as a rule, is thinned, lacks shine, has a yellow tint with the presence of cracks and tissue disintegration in the area of ​​the free edge; easily torn, excessively mobile. Histological examination using electron microscopy with a scanning device reveals significant cracks and erosions of the surface layer, and in some places, areas of destruction in deep layers.

Symptomatology for damage to both menisci consists of the sum of the symptoms inherent in each of them. Simultaneous damage to both menisci is rare. A predisposing factor is rupture of the intermeniscal ligament, which leads to pathological mobility of the menisci and contributes to their damage. Diagnosis of a rupture of both menisci is difficult, since the clinical picture of damage to the internal meniscus usually predominates. Errors in recognizing meniscal injuries are 10-21%.

www.eurolab.ua

In the cavity of the knee joint there are two cartilaginous formations - the menisci of the knee. Their main purpose is shock absorption during movement and protection of articular cartilage. They limit excess mobility and reduce friction in the knee joint.

Causes of rupture or tear of the meniscus: a sharp glancing blow to the knee with a heavy object, a fall on the edge of a step with the kneecap, or an injury accompanied by a sharp rotation of the tibia outward or inward.

Repeated injuries or bruises lead to chronic meniscopathy, and subsequently to meniscal rupture. As a result of chronic microtrauma, gout, rheumatism, and general intoxication of the body, degenerative changes in the meniscus develop. During an injury, the meniscus ruptures and ceases to fulfill its main purpose, becoming almost a foreign body for the body. And this body will slowly destroy the articular surface. An untreated injury turns into deforming arthrosis, and the person often becomes disabled.

Football players and team sports athletes, people who spend most of their working time on their feet, are more susceptible to this disease.

It happens that the meniscus can also be damaged as a result of a combined injury, when a strong blow falls on the knee and the shin suddenly turns inward or outward.

Symptoms of damage

Often at the initial stage there is a disease such as meniscus of the knee joint - the symptoms are similar in manifestation to other diseases of the knee joint. Only after 2-3 weeks, when the reactive phenomena subside, can we speak specifically about a meniscus tear.

• Sharp pain of diffuse nature, after some time it is located on the inner or outer surface of the knee.
• Difficulty going up and down stairs.
• The trophism of muscle tissue decreases sharply.
• When the joint is bent, a characteristic click occurs.
• The joint is increased in volume. With this symptom, treatment begins immediately.
• Pain when playing sports.
• Increased temperature in the joint area.

Symptoms of damage are often nonspecific; the same symptoms can occur with severe bruises, sprains, and arthrosis, so the doctor requires a thorough examination of the patient.

Depending on the injury, the meniscus may tear away from the capsule, tear transversely or longitudinally, and may be compressed. The outer meniscus is quite mobile, so it is more often compressed, and tears occur in the meniscus fixed in the cavity of the knee joint.

Meniscus treatment

As a result of injury, the meniscus can tear or rupture completely. Depending on the severity of the condition, the patient’s age and his vital activity, the doctor chooses a method of treating the knee meniscus: conservative or surgical.

But first aid, regardless of the severity of the injury, the victim is immediately given complete rest, a cold compress and the application of an elastic bandage to the knee joint area. To prevent or relieve swelling, the patient's leg is placed slightly above chest level.

The doctor at the clinic recommends that the patient take an X-ray to make sure the bones are intact. And to exclude the presence of internal damage, an ultrasound is performed. When diagnosing meniscal injuries, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging play a special role. But the full picture of the damage can be seen by arthroscopy of the knee joint.

If only the meniscus has been displaced, then an experienced traumatologist will be able to quickly deal with the problem. Then a cast is applied for about three weeks, after which rehabilitation therapy is prescribed.

Traditional treatment of the disease includes non-steroidal painkillers: Meloxicam, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac.

To restore cartilage tissue, the joint needs chondroprotectors that improve metabolism in the repair tissue and intra-articular fluid - these are Glucosamine, Chondroitin sulfate. The dietary supplement Collagen Ultra prevents inflammatory processes and is involved in the restoration of cartilage, increasing its water-retaining properties.

Drug treatment

To rub the joint, use ointments Alezan, Ketoral, Dolgit, Voltaren, and Toad Stone balm.

For limited mobility and pain, the drug Ostenil is injected into the joint capsule. Improvement occurs after the first injection. A course of treatment requires at least five ampoules.

If possible, you can use bee stings or Tentorium cream, which contains bee venom.

Physiotherapy

To completely restore the knee joint, the patient is prescribed therapeutic exercises with a physical therapy instructor, a course of physiotherapy and massage.

Myostimulation relaxes and strengthens the thigh muscles. Laser therapy and magnetic therapy improve microcirculation and metabolic processes in muscle cells.

And at home you can do exercises:

— Place a small rubber ball under your knee, bend your knee, squeezing the ball and straighten your knee without dropping the ball.
— Walking on all fours, enduring slight pain.

Traditional methods

• A compress of honey and alcohol in a 1:1 ratio is applied to the joint for two hours, secured with an elastic bandage and covered with a warm scarf.
• A compress of grated onion and a spoon of sugar can be applied overnight, after wrapping it in cling film and a warm scarf.
• Apply a compress of medical bile for ten days.
• Malakhov recommends making compresses from children's urine, which relieves swelling well.
• A compress of burdock leaves is kept on the knee for up to 8 hours.

You can use all traditional methods, as well as physical exercises, at home.

If all conservative treatment methods have been tried, and there is no improvement, then we have to talk about surgical intervention.

Operation?

If you have knee meniscus pain, is surgery really necessary?

Indications for surgical intervention are:

• Meniscus crush.
• Meniscus tear and displacement.
• Hemorrhage into the joint cavity.
• Complete separation of the horns and body of the meniscus.

There is insufficient blood circulation in the area of ​​the meniscus body, so a rupture of the meniscus body very rarely heals, so in this case the patient will have to undergo complete or partial resection of the meniscus.

Arthroscopy is performed not only to diagnose the condition of the joint, but also to treat meniscus of the knee joint.

The most common operations are suturing and removal of the meniscus; in exceptional cases, meniscus transplantation is performed, i.e. The damaged part is removed and replaced with a graft. Artificial or donor menisci take root well, but it takes 3-4 months to restore functionality.

Arthroscopy surgery has several advantages:

• Small incisions are made on the patient's skin, leaving no scars.
• The duration of the intervention is short, no more than two hours.
• No plaster cast.
• Fast postoperative rehabilitation.
• Shortened hospital stay
• The operation can be performed on an outpatient basis.

In young patients, even a torn meniscus can be saved. And after a month of sedentary and bed rest, you can start sports activities. Exercise bikes and swimming are best for this. With proper treatment, complete recovery occurs.

Professional athletes more often choose a drastic solution – surgery. To make the recovery process faster, you must strictly follow the doctor’s instructions and eat right.

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What is the meniscus of the knee joint

The strong, thick cartilage pad on the bone that forms the structure of the knee is called the meniscus. Its direct purpose is to ensure good gliding of the bone joint structure when moving under tension. In other words, the meniscus of the knee joint is a shock-absorbing part that prevents injury to the bones, preventing them from diverging during rest or movement.

Thanks to such a pad, a person can painlessly and easily walk, jump, run, perform bends, extensions and circular movements with their legs. The meniscus itself is an elastic and mobile crescent-shaped plate of a connecting nature that is located inside the knee. The structure of the knee joint includes a medial (inner) and outer (lateral) plate.

Where is the meniscus of the knee joint located?

The epiphyses of the knee joint, which consists of the patella, tibia and femur, are covered with a layer of cartilage. It is connected by tendons and muscles. The meniscus of the knee joint is located inside it. The medial plate is characterized by slight mobility. Its posterior horn is connected to the lateral surface of the ligament attached to the tibia. The medial meniscus from the other edge (anterior horn) is fixed in several ways:

• three ligaments to the tibia bone;
• two ligaments to the cruciate anterior joint;
• one ligament to the tibia.

The lateral meniscus of the knee is located close to its outer zone. This part of the knee joint is very mobile, so injury to it is rare. The anterior horn of the lateral plate is attached to the medial cartilage and tibia by two ligaments. Sometimes the attachment is made to the femur with a single ligament. The blood supply to both plates is limited, since blood vessels are located only in the area of ​​the anterior and posterior horns.

Causes of meniscus problems

Primary damage to the meniscus can occur due to a fall on the rib of the kneecap, a sharp blow to the knee with a heavy object, or an injury accompanied by a sharp turn of the tibia. This leads to rupture of collagen fibers and the inability of the knee joint to fulfill its purpose. Repeated bruises are secondary causes of problems with the meniscus.

As a result of gout, microtraumas, and rheumatism, degenerative changes in the meniscus are formed. The plate ceases to perform its functions, becoming a foreign body for the body that destroys the articular surface. An untreated injury eventually develops into arthrosis, and then disability occurs when a person can move only with the help of crutches. A meniscus injury can be caused by:

• age-related changes;
• cancer, diabetes;
• metabolic disorders, blood supply, innervation;
• degenerative or destructive process in the bone apparatus;
• complications after surgery;
• improper rotation of the joint;
• jumping/falling from a height;
• sudden lifting of weight;
• regular vertical loads;
• impact with a blunt object.

Knee meniscus tear

Cartilage damage often occurs among dancers and athletes, but ordinary people often find themselves in unpleasant situations. As a rule, men 20-40 years old turn to a traumatologist. Cartilage tissue in children is highly extensible and more plastic, so injuries among younger people are very rare. A tear of the meniscus of the knee joint occurs for the following reasons:

• standing work;
• chronic intoxication of the body;
• arthrosis, arthritis;
• old knee injury.

Symptoms of a knee meniscus tear

After the meniscus in the knee is damaged, the victim feels sharp pain in the joint. The leg becomes swollen, and if the rupture occurs in an area with blood vessels, hemarthrosis develops (accumulation of blood inside). With a small tear, the main symptoms of a knee meniscal tear are painful clicking sounds inside the knee, but the patient can move around on his own. With severe damage, the joint is completely blocked and becomes immobile. Sometimes ruptures are accompanied only by pain when going down the stairs.

How does the meniscus hurt?

Damage to the joint immediately manifests itself as pain. At first it is sharp and does not allow the person to move. Then the knee gradually adapts to the injury, the pain weakens and then completely goes away. The meniscus hurts during intense stress that exceeds the strength of the structure or during physical exercise. If a person spends on his feet all day, then by the evening the knee pain always intensifies. The degree of the disease can be determined by the nature of the pain:

Meniscus treatment

Damage to the knee cartilage cannot be avoided without medical help. How to treat meniscus? There are different methods of therapy - from unconventional to surgical. What treatment to choose for the meniscus is a personal matter for everyone, but if the plate is severely ruptured or completely torn off, one cannot refuse surgery. If the cartilage is pinched, you should contact a chiropractor or traumatologist. The doctor will perform a reposition, thanks to which the patient will forget about his problem for a long time. In other cases, non-surgical gentle treatment with medications is recommended.

Treatment of a torn meniscus of the knee joint without surgery

Experts say that if injury is ignored, there is a high probability of developing chronic pathology. Over time, this leads to the destruction of cartilage tissue, degeneration of adjacent cartilage and even bone tissue. As a result of damage to the meniscus, arthrosis develops, which leads to disability. Treatment for a torn meniscus of the knee joint without surgery is pain relief, applying an elastic bandage to the affected leg, taking anti-inflammatory drugs internally, physiotherapeutic procedures, removing the blockade of the joint, and using creams and ointments for pain relief.

Drug treatment

Therapy depends on the symptoms, because there are patchy, degenerative, horizontal, and radial cartilage lesions. Basically, drug treatment includes taking anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of capsules, tablets or ointments: Ibuprofen, Ketorolac, Diclofenac, Indomethacin. When choosing medications, doctors take into account interactions with other medications and contraindications. This is especially important for elderly patients. For edema, intra-articular injections of corticosteroids are used: Prednisolone, Dexamethasone and others.

Physiotherapy

Damage to the connective cartilage is accompanied by pain, swelling, and muscle spasms. Physiotherapy helps speed up the rehabilitation process. The procedures can reduce pain, eliminate muscle atrophy, remove swelling, and tone the muscles. Physiotherapy refers to passive rehabilitation, that is, there is no effort on the part of the patient during therapeutic treatment. Physiotherapeutic procedures include a number of different manipulations:

• magnetic therapy;
• exposure to ultrasound;
• massotherapy;
• hydrotherapy;
• electromyostimulation;
• aerotherapy;
• UHF therapy;
• hirudotherapy and others.

Surgery to remove the meniscus of the knee joint

Surgery on the meniscus is prescribed to partially remove or stitch together the cartilage. Sometimes surgery occurs for an organ transplant, where part of the cartilage disc is removed and replaced with an implant. After such manipulation, artificial or donor cartilage takes root without problems. The downside of this procedure is that recovery is not very fast - about 3-4 months.

Most operations to remove the meniscus of the knee joint are performed using arthroscopy. During the intervention, the surgeon sees all the structures inside the knee. Using this method, you can identify many problems in the knee joint and remove fluid from its cavity. The procedure lasts no more than 2 hours. After manipulation using arthroscopic techniques, the patient can move fully.

Treatment of meniscus with folk remedies

The patient has the right to independently choose methods of treatment for the affected knee joint. In case of injury, you can make warm compresses that are applied to the sore limb. They are made from honey and 96% alcohol in a 1:1 ratio. The melted mass is distributed over the affected surface, then covered with cellophane and a warm cloth. You need to keep the compress daily for 2 hours. The course of treatment is one month. Treatment of the meniscus with folk remedies includes other procedures:

1. Burdock leaf will help relieve pain in the affected area. The freshly harvested plant must be applied as a compress at night.
2. Onion juice will help relieve discomfort after first aid. You need to chop 2 onions and 2 garlic, pour 6% apple cider vinegar (500 ml) into the mixture. The mixture should be infused for a week, then rubbed into the knee 2 times a day. Massage movements should last at least 10 minutes.
3. A big role in the rehabilitation of the elements of the knee joint is played by constant exercise with a rubber ball, which must be placed under the knee and squeezed for several minutes.
4. Regardless of the mechanism of damage, the appearance of swelling and pain can be quickly removed with pine baths. To prepare, you will need 500 g of pine needles, filled with 2 liters of water. The product is boiled for half an hour, filtered and poured into a warm bath. The procedure is carried out every other day for 30 minutes.
5. If the pain intensifies, the necessary condition is not to straighten or bend your legs. To do this, it is recommended to fix the knee during exercise with an elastic bandage until complete healing.

Cost of meniscus surgery

The cost of surgical intervention depends on the level of the clinic, the pricing policy of the medical institution, the volume of planned manipulations, and the quality of the graft. In Moscow clinics, the price for an MRI of the knee joint starts from 5,000 rubles. The cost of surgery for a meniscus (torn) varies from 6,000 to 80,000 rubles. The price in Israeli clinics for surgical intervention starts from $20,000.

Meniscal injuries- violation of the integrity of the cartilage lining located in the cavity of the knee joint. In the acute period, the patient is bothered by pain in the knee and limitation of movements, there is joint blocking, swelling, and possibly the appearance of fluid in the joint or the development of hemarthrosis. Subsequently, repeated blockades, signs of inflammation, and recurrent synovitis are sometimes observed. The diagnosis is made by a traumatologist based on examination data, anamnesis, and in some cases an MRI of the knee joint. Treatment includes removing the blockade, ensuring complete rest, and, if indicated, puncturing the joint. If it is impossible to remove the blockade, repeated blockades, or pain persists, surgery is required.

General information

Meniscus injuries rank first in prevalence among all knee joint injuries. Most often, meniscal injuries are the result of a sports injury. The internal meniscus is damaged 4-7 times more often than the external one.

Causes

Typically, the cause of a meniscus tear is rotation (rotation) of a half-bent or bent shin when the leg is loaded (while skating or skiing, playing hockey or football). Damage to the internal meniscus occurs when the tibia rotates outward, and damage to the external meniscus occurs when the tibia rotates inward. Less commonly, damage to the meniscus occurs as a result of a fall on straight legs (long and high jumps, dismounting from a projectile) or a direct blow to the knee joint (impacts on the edge of a step, impacts from a moving object).

The likelihood of meniscal rupture increases with degeneration as a result of repeated injuries, chronic intoxication, gout or rheumatism. Damage to the menisci may be accompanied by injuries to other elements of the knee joint (ligaments, cartilage, fat pad or capsule).

Pathanatomy

Menisci are cartilage pads located inside the knee joint. Two menisci: lateral (outer) and medial (inner) are located between the articular surfaces of the tibia and femur. The main functions of the meniscus are shock absorption when running and walking. In addition, the menisci act as stabilizers of the knee joint. The menisci are elastic and can change their shape during movements in the knee joint. The mobility of the menisci is not the same. The internal meniscus is connected to the medial collateral ligament and is less mobile than the external one, so its damage occurs more often.

At the edges, the menisci grow together with the joint capsule and are supplied with blood by the vessels of the capsule. The internal parts of the menisci do not have their own arteries and receive nutrition from intra-articular fluid. This nutritional feature causes good fusion of the menisci in case of marginal damage and a complete absence of fusion in case of damage to the internal parts.

Classification

The operation is indicated if it is impossible to eliminate the blockade in the acute period, repeated blockades, pain and limitation of movements in the joint in the chronic period. Currently, when choosing a method of surgical treatment, preference is given to arthroscopic interventions, which can reduce the level of joint trauma and reduce the likelihood of complications. If possible, they try to preserve the meniscus, since after its removal the wear of the articular surfaces accelerates, leading to rapid development

The knee joint is formed from patella And femoral tibia . The articular surface of the bone is covered with cartilage tissue with a number of strong ligaments. Sliding during flexion-extension of the knee is ensured by the presence joint fluid And synovial membrane . When moving, the stability of the joint depends on the ligaments, muscles of the joint and intra-articular cartilage - meniscus . often occur when joints are damaged, and in particular the menisci.

Meniscus - This is a cartilage lining between the joints that stabilizes the knee joint and acts as a kind of shock absorber. As you walk, the menisci shrink and change shape. Menisci are divided into two types. Outdoor or lateral , resembling the letter O, more mobile than the internal one and, therefore, less likely to be injured. Internal meniscus or medial , more static and connected to the lateral internal ligament of the knee joint, shaped like the letter C. The medial meniscus is more often subject to frequent injuries along with the ligament. The menisci are connected by a transverse ligament at the front of the joint.

Meniscal damage– this is the most common type of knee injury, most often found in men and athletes, less often in everyday life.

Symptoms of knee meniscus damage

Meniscal damage occurs acute And chronic Accordingly, the symptoms of meniscus damage differ depending on its type. Its main manifestations are listed below:

• the patient complains of sharp pain, initially in the entire knee, then the pain is localized, depending on which meniscus is damaged, on the outside or inside of the knee joint;
• movement is sharply limited, the patient does not feel or feels slight pain when the leg is bent, when trying to straighten the pain intensifies;
• the joint increases in volume, an indicator that treatment should be started immediately;
• upon extension, a clicking sensation appears; infiltration of the capsule and the resulting effusion into the joint cavity can be felt with the hand. These symptoms of meniscus damage appear after 2-3 weeks of illness;
• When fixing the knee joint at an angle of 150 degrees and trying to bend the leg, the patient feels a sharp pain.
• with chronic damage, the patient feels a dull pain in the knee joint, which intensifies when going down the stairs.

Diagnosis of meniscus damage

Diagnosis is based on detailed questioning of the patient and examination. Due to the transparency of the meniscus to X-rays, fluoroscopy is ineffective. Helps establish a diagnosis endoscopic arthroscopy or magnetic resonance imaging .

Treatment of knee meniscus damage

To provide first aid for injuries of the knee joint and meniscus, apply fixing splint , pain relief is performed and the patient is transported to a trauma hospital.

If necessary, blood is removed from the knee joint and conservative treatment. A plaster cast is applied for 4 weeks, after removal - rehabilitation therapy.

If conservative treatment is ineffective, MRI is recommended ( magnetic resonance imaging ). If necessary, arthroscopy of the knee joint is performed. This is a low-traumatic method of surgical intervention, which has become an integral part in the modern diagnosis and treatment of many forms of intra-articular pathologies; this method of treatment is currently considered the “gold standard”.

This diagnosis of meniscal injuries is also simultaneous therapy. Arthroscopy- this is an examination of the joint cavity using a special optical device, during which, if possible, the damaged meniscus is sutured. If suturing is impossible, as well as when the damage is localized in the extravascular part, complete or partial removal of the meniscus is performed. Meniscus removal or meniscectomy, most often, in 80% of cases, is possible during arthroscopy; in other cases, the surgeon is forced to resort to arthrotomy, i.e. open surgery.

In the absence of the ability to perform arthroscopy, it is performed puncture of the knee joint, at which the solution is introduced. Then, using special techniques, the pinched meniscus is reduced, while the patient must be in a lying position on an orthopedic table. The trauma surgeon must perform movements that are opposite to those movements that led to the injury. As soon as the meniscus is in place, all movements in the joint are immediately restored. Once the meniscus is repaired, treatment does not end. To fix the leg, a plaster cast is applied, and the injured leg is bent at a certain angle at the knee joint.

The period of immobilization, after treatment of the meniscus injury and application of plaster, is 3 weeks. After removing the plaster cast, physical therapy . In cases where the patient experiences repeated blockages of the joint, this condition is called chronic meniscus damage. With old damage to the meniscus, inflammation of the inner lining of the joint usually occurs, called constant aching pain in the joint, which intensifies when walking, and especially when going down the stairs. It is possible to develop a concomitant disease that damages the knee joint, such as dissecting articular surfaces or. This condition almost always leads to frequent blockade of the joint. There is a need to remove " articular muscle » surgically. After the operation, a tight bandage or plaster cast is applied to the leg. An important condition for recovery is early exercise.

The doctors

Medicines

Prevention of meniscus damage

To prevent meniscus damage in everyday life, it is recommended to be careful when running, walking, going up and down stairs. Women are advised to wear more stable shoes. Athletes are recommended to use special fixing bandages when playing sports ( knee pads ), if it is not possible to use them, you can bandage the knee joints for insurance elastic bandage . Prevention of meniscus damage makes it possible to avoid injury in 9 out of 10 cases.

Complications of meniscal injuries

If complications occur, it may develop deforming arthrosis, premature wear of intra-articular cartilage or blockade of the knee joint. Sudden pain when moving. Treatment may require surgery.

Diet, nutrition for meniscus damage

List of sources

• Traumatology and orthopedics / Guide for doctors. In 3 volumes. v.2/ Ed. SOUTH. Shaposhnikova. - M.: Medicine, 1997. -592 p.
• Comprehensive rehabilitation of athletes after injuries of the musculoskeletal system, Bashkirov V.F. – Moscow: Physical culture and sport, 2004, - 240 p.
• Sports injuries. Clinical practice of prevention and treatment / ed. ed. Renström P.A.F.H. - Kyiv, “Olympic Literature”, 2003.

Education: Graduated from Vitebsk State Medical University with a degree in Surgery. At the university he headed the Council of the Student Scientific Society. Advanced training in 2010 - in the specialty "Oncology" and in 2011 - in the specialty "Mammology, visual forms of oncology".

Experience: Worked in a general medical network for 3 years as a surgeon (Vitebsk Emergency Hospital, Liozno Central District Hospital) and part-time as a district oncologist and traumatologist. Worked as a pharmaceutical representative for a year at the Rubicon company.

Presented 3 rationalization proposals on the topic “Optimization of antibiotic therapy depending on the species composition of microflora”, 2 works took prizes in the republican competition-review of student scientific works (categories 1 and 3).