Bruised meniscus of the knee joint symptoms and treatment. Injury to the meniscus of the knee joint - symptoms and treatment. Anatomical and physiological features

If treated incorrectly or not contact a traumatologist in a timely manner, a meniscus tear can have unpleasant consequences: lameness, inflammatory diseases, leading to destructive changes in the entire musculoskeletal system and the spinal column.

A natural shock absorber, shaped like a crescent, is located in the knee joint between the heads of the femur and tibia, called the meniscus.

The meniscus consists of elastic cartilaginous tissue, which has the ability to stretch and contract, limiting movement.

The structure of the knee joint has an external and internal meniscus. The medial meniscus is considered the most vulnerable.

Turning the lower limb 180 degrees with the foot fixed, bruising the knee in the lateral part, squats with rapid bending of the knees lead to a meniscus injury.

Subsequent restoration of the damaged meniscus occurs in different ways. The cells inside the joint are nourished by the interarticular fluid due to the complete absence of blood vessels.

If a meniscus tear occurs in the avascular part of the cartilage located in the center of the joint, the meniscus never heals. The closer the tear is to the outer edge of the joint capsule, the greater the chance of a complete recovery.

What is a meniscus tear?

Traumatologists distinguish 2 types of torn meniscus:

rupture of its main part, the body of the meniscus;
separation from the walls of the joint.

In the first case, the torn part can get between the bones that form the joint, causing severe limitation of movement and intense pain.

This pinching of the meniscus of the knee joint with subsequent blockade of the joint most often occurs when the internal meniscus of the knee joint is torn.

Based on the cause of the pathology:

traumatic – with excessive load on a healthy meniscus;
degenerative – minor injuries to a joint that is weakened by destructive processes due to the patient’s age.

The nature of the knee meniscus is damaged in different ways:

longitudinal gap;
transverse;
fragmented;
regional;
complete or incomplete.

Causes of meniscus damage

The main cause of rupture is trauma of varying intensity. This can be either a sharp movement of the leg of a distortion nature.

The foot remains stationary, while the lower leg rotates or deep squats with intense and complete flexion of the joint.

For athletes whose training is dominated by repetitive movements that can lead to meniscus injury, the elasticity of the cartilage crescent decreases and small cracks form over time. In weakened areas, the meniscus can easily rupture.

Less common causes of a torn meniscus:

moving on bent knees;
congenital impairment of the strength of the knee joint ligaments;
the effect of excess weight on joint strength;
jumping;
running at high speed;
a ride on the bicycle;
genetic diseases associated with disorders of the development of cartilage tissue of the joints.

Signs of a meniscus injury

Symptoms of damage in the first days after a meniscus tear appear slightly: pain of a different nature appears and a significant decrease in the range of motion. Characteristic signs of cartilage rupture can be seen 2 weeks after injury:

the knee joint significantly increases in diameter due to swelling of the soft tissues;
intense in nature, localized on the outside and inside of the knee;
an increase in body temperature in the joint area indicates severe injury and a possible inflammatory process;
distinct crepitus during flexion movements;
constant under load.

A tear in the meniscus of the knee joint requires immediate consultation with a doctor; the symptoms are only a preventive measure; it is unacceptable to make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment on your own.

Injury to the internal or external cartilaginous shock absorber can be differentiated by different manifestations. A tear of the internal meniscus will cause symptoms:

the patient clearly feels intra-articular pain;
the pain intensifies if you ask the victim;
the anterior femoral muscle loses tone;
when the leg tenses, there is a short-term acute pain.

Tear of the external meniscus of the knee joint symptoms:

feeling of pain under the kneecap;
increased pain with tension and full flexion;
weakening of the muscles in the front of the thigh;
inflammation of the inner lining of the joint.

Minor injuries do not cause much harm to the patient. The patient limps, cannot lean on the injured leg, and a soft click can be heard when bending movements in the knee. Serious injuries block the leg, and the person is unable to move without assistance. In this case, only contacting a traumatologist can clarify the situation and receive qualified assistance.

Diagnostics

Early measures to make a correct diagnosis of a torn meniscus are the key to a successful therapeutic outcome after damage to the cartilage pad in the joint. Immediate visit to the emergency room will help get the patient back on his feet faster.

During a visual examination, a visual assessment of the severity of the condition and palpation of the damaged knee occurs. Magnetic resonance imaging is prescribed as an additional examination.

This method allows you to safely and accurately determine pathological abnormalities inside the bruised joint, which will help to make a correct diagnosis.

Another accurate method for determining a meniscus tear is endoscopic arthroscopy of the joint. Using a microscopic video camera, which is attached to the end of an endoscopic probe, the doctor can examine the joint in detail from the inside.

The image is displayed on the monitor, and the probe is inserted into the joint cavity through a small puncture. Detected deviations allow an accurate diagnosis of the patient to be made.

First aid for meniscus injury

Providing medical care in the first hours after an injury will reduce the severity of symptoms and alleviate the condition of the victim.

What to do if a person experiences unbearable pain after or sudden movement and the range of motion is limited up to complete blockage of the joint?

It is necessary to apply cold to the injured knee so that the swelling and hematoma are less pronounced.
Provide complete rest to the leg; it is possible to apply a splint for transportation to a trauma center.
The knee can be secured with an elastic bandage to create compression on the injured joint.
To lower, the knee must be positioned at chest level.

To reduce pain, analgesics or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed.

Limiting mobility using rigid fixation orthoses will provide an orthopedic regimen and reduce the load on the affected leg.

A mandatory action should be an urgent visit to a traumatologist to make a correct diagnosis.

Therapeutic measures in the acute period

During the first week, the patient may have a false impression of the severity of the joint damage. At first glance, a minor injury does not cause significant symptoms, and after a few days the condition of the knee improves significantly.

The pain decreases and does not bother, the leg begins to bend without much effort or discomfort, but this is temporary enlightenment. The knee adapts to the damage, but problems with the meniscus do not disappear.

After 10-14 days, pronounced signs of a meniscus tear appear, and then the only correct decision would be to consult an experienced doctor.

While at home, during the acute period of cartilage injury, mainly symptomatic treatment is used:

painkillers for severe pain;
in the first 2-3 days - ice on the injured knee;
use of ointments for local anesthesia;
the joint should not be heated to avoid the development of inflammation of the meniscus or joint capsule;
the leg must be immobilized using a splint or rigid fixator;
When fluid appears in the joint, the doctor will perform a puncture and pump out the resulting contents.

For effective treatment of the meniscus, you should be observed by a traumatologist, who will individually select treatment procedures in accordance with the severity of the injury.

Therapeutic measures

Torn meniscus of the knee joint, symptoms and treatment are determined after collecting anamnesis, examination and providing tests. Non-surgical treatment of the meniscus is used in cases of non-dangerous injuries.

The therapy consists of pain relief for the joint, applying a plaster cast or splint using polymer bandages, carrying out physiotherapeutic procedures and drawing up a complex of physical therapy for a specific patient.

For the knee joint, surgery is indicated in the following cases:

meniscus shift or complete cartilage rupture;
filling the joint cavity with blood;
rupture of the meniscal body;
medications do not bring the desired effect;
inability to restore mobility to the joint.

Surgical intervention to treat the meniscus can be of several types:

Complete removal of cartilage in case of serious damage that cannot be restored.
Bloodless surgery using an arthroscope.
Connecting parts of the meniscus with clamps.
Meniscus replacement using transplantation.

Home Damage Treatment

Many patients ask the question: “How to treat meniscus at home?” It is impossible to self-medicate for serious injuries; this can lead to serious consequences that can lead to disability.

The use of home methods for treating meniscus diseases is possible only after the permission of the treating doctor.

After diagnosis and medical manipulations at home, the doctor recommends following a gentle motor regimen with fixation of the diseased joint, taking analgesics for pain, and using anti-inflammatory and analgesic ointments and gels.

Folk recipes

In addition to traditional medicine, meniscus can also be treated with folk remedies. Healers knew how to cure meniscus in ancient times. The use of ancient recipes is also common among modern patients, the safety and effectiveness of which have been proven over the years.

Honey tincture

Regular use of compresses with honey tincture relieves pain. Honey is known as a natural anti-inflammatory and bactericidal agent, therefore, local application will have a beneficial effect on a positive outcome after illness.

To prepare a healing mixture, you will need to mix 2 teaspoons of fresh honey with the same amount of alcohol and hold in a water bath until homogeneous dissolution.

Cool the resulting product at room temperature. Apply the warm solution to the affected joint in a thin layer without rubbing.

The top of the knee is wrapped in plastic wrap and covered with a blanket. It is not recommended to use the compress for more than two hours.

The manipulation must be repeated in the morning and evening until the pain completely disappears. For the procedure, it is better to use only freshly prepared tincture.

Onion applications

Fresh onions are chopped and mixed with ten grams of granulated sugar. The resulting mixture is distributed on gauze in a layer of one and a half centimeters and placed on the joint at night.

This remedy can be used for 30 days to relieve pain and provide an anti-inflammatory effect.

To enhance the effect, the onion mixture can be fixed with polyethylene, creating a compress effect. You can also keep the applications in this position from evening to morning.

Bile

Medical bile is an excellent pain reliever. An effective and inexpensive product can be purchased at a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription.

In addition, this product increases blood circulation at the site of application, stops the process of cartilage destruction, which prevents the occurrence of arthrosis and arthritis.

How to treat knee meniscus with bile? A small amount of medical bile must be brought to body temperature in a water bath and rubbed on the knee area.

The procedure can be repeated twice a day for up to two months.

Horseradish compress

Horseradish root is crushed and poured with warm water. Over low heat, the raw materials are steamed for 15 minutes, cooled and ground until smooth. The paste is applied to the knee joint and covered with plastic wrap. It is recommended to remove the healing mixture after two and a half hours.

Essential oils containing horseradish root help in the treatment of meniscus disease. They have pronounced antibacterial properties and a distracting effect in pain.

Burdock leaves

How to reduce swelling and pain when treating a torn meniscus? A real salvation will be an ordinary burdock leaf, which is applied to the sore joint and wrapped in a bandage.

Cabbage leaves also have a similar effect. The procedure time is 4 hours. Daily safe use of burdock will prevent the development of severe swelling at the site of the lesion.

Sagebrush

Ancient herbalists knew how to treat a torn meniscus of the knee joint with wormwood lotions. Fifteen grams of dry wormwood powder are poured into a glass of hot water and infused for an hour. Gauze is soaked in the infusion and applied to the sore leg for half an hour.

The product is absolutely safe and can be used up to 4 times a day. The only contraindication may be individual intolerance to wormwood.

Pine baths

Pine baths help restore immune strength, improve blood supply and cell trophism. Freshly picked pine needles are poured with four liters of water, brought to a boil in a water bath and simmered for thirty minutes.

Take a bath with pine solution before bed for no more than 30 minutes. You can repeat the therapeutic immersion every other day for a month. Baths with pine needles are prescribed as additional therapeutic procedures for the treatment of injuries and inflammation of the meniscus.

Treatment with gymnastics

To restore the knee joint after traditional treatment, performing a set of gymnastic exercises will help. A doctor should draw up a set of exercises for an individual case in order to correctly distribute and dose the load on the injured knee.

You should start with simple exercises, gradually increasing the frequency and range of movements. In order to achieve excellent results and a speedy recovery, all movements of therapeutic exercises must be agreed upon with the treating doctor.

How to treat knee meniscus with exercises? It is advisable to do gymnastics at the same time every day. If there is a possible deterioration in health, the number of repetitions should be reduced and the number of exercises should be kept to a minimum.

Exercise therapy complex for meniscal tears

Starting position: sit on an elevated position so that your legs are suspended. Place the leg with the sore joint on the healthy one, and try to straighten it slowly and smoothly. Repeat up to 9 times.
Walk for several minutes, rolling from the back of the foot to the front.
While standing, place the affected limb on a low elevation of up to 40 cm. Bend your torso forward as low as possible, holding yourself in this position for up to 30 seconds.
Lie on your back and alternately lift your right and left legs in a straightened state a few centimeters, holding the leg in this position for a few seconds. Increase the number of movements with each leg to 10 times.
In a supine position, bend both legs at the knees without lifting them off the surface. Straighten each leg without lifting your feet off the floor. The number of repetitions is 15 times.
Turn over onto your stomach and take your legs in turn, holding them for a few seconds 15 times alternately with your right and left leg.
Lying on your healthy leg, in a position on your side, lift the affected leg 25 cm from the floor 10 times.

What pathologies does an untreated meniscus lead to?

Failure to consult a doctor in a timely manner or failure to follow recommendations can lead to inflammatory and destructive joint disorders. The consequence may be limited movement in the knee, limping gait, development and increased load on the spine.

Prevention of meniscus injuries comes down to simple rules:

good nutrition with sufficient amounts of calcium and microelements;
maintaining normal weight;
the use of preventive bandages for stress on the knees;
use of good shoes with shock absorption for sports activities;
proper warm-up before performing the main workout.

To keep your knees healthy and protect your meniscus from damage, it is important to follow preventive measures and avoid sudden movements in everyday life.

Bruises, dislocations or closed injuries of the knee joint are a pressing problem for athletes and people involved in heavy physical labor. They are often accompanied by damage to the menisci, cartilaginous formations that act as shock absorbers inside the joint. Pinching, ruptures or tears of the meniscus are possible.

Meniscus damage can be suspected based on the following signs: severe pain in the knee joint, concentrated in one place, numbness, limited mobility.

After 2-3 hours, the symptoms disappear, and the victim returns to his usual lifestyle. However, after a few days, the problem makes itself felt again: pain returns when moving (sometimes at rest), and unpleasant sensations arise when pressing on the knee joint.

The patient cannot walk freely, climb stairs, or engage in usual activities. The severity of symptoms depends on the severity of the injury. After all, the victim may not even know about it. In order not to make a mistake with the diagnosis, you need to visit a doctor - he will prescribe the necessary examinations and therapy.

Basic treatment methods

There are different approaches to treating knee meniscus - from surgery to alternative methods and traditional medicine. Which one to choose is a personal matter for everyone, however, in some cases (with hemorrhage into the joint cavity, severe rupture, complete tearing or crushing of the meniscus), surgery cannot be refused.

This type of injury is very rare and requires urgent surgical treatment, otherwise serious complications will arise. It is necessary to remove the remnants of the meniscus from the joint as soon as possible or sew it on (in case of a tear). Doctors recommend endoscopic surgery - it is effective, low-traumatic, performed under local anesthesia, and the risk of complications is minimized.

If the meniscus is pinched, contact an orthopedic traumatologist or chiropractor. He will perform a reposition (straightening of the joint), thanks to which you will forget about the problem for a long time. In other cases, doctors recommend gentle treatment without surgery using medications. In case of a serious injury with severe pain, it is best to go to the hospital - this way you will protect yourself from possible complications, and intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid (chondroprotector) will help restore the structure of cartilage tissue. In case of minor injuries, it is allowed to be treated at home or in a day hospital.

Meniscus of the knee joint - treatment without surgery at home

Immediately after receiving an injury, the victim must be provided with complete rest. The injured knee should be immobilized using an elastic bandage. You can lie on the bed and place your leg on a pillow, and it is advisable to raise it slightly above chest level to avoid swelling. Apply a cold compress to the affected knee joint - this will reduce pain and alleviate the patient’s condition. Then you need to visit a doctor. It is worth treating yourself only with his permission. The doctor should examine you and prescribe additional tests (x-ray of the knee joint, ultrasound, CT, MRI or arthroscopy).

At home, to treat the meniscus, special warming compresses are often used, which are applied to the affected knee 2-3 times a day. The joint area is lubricated with the prepared mixture, then the knee is insulated and wrapped in a linen bandage. Tinctures, plant juices or special oils are also used. A positive effect is observed after pine baths. Essential oils contained in pine needles relax muscles, relieve pain, improve blood circulation and have a general strengthening effect on the body.

Compresses - folk recipes for the treatment of meniscus

To prepare them, they use honey, mud from salty springs, burdock leaves or wormwood - many recipes are known. Before use, heat the compress to a temperature of 36-37 °C. Wrap the top with cling film, a woolen scarf or other warm item, and secure with a tightening bandage. Remove no earlier than after 2 hours (sometimes leave overnight). Before starting treatment, consult your doctor!

Honey compress

To prepare the compress, use natural bee honey and medical alcohol. The ratio of components is 1:1. The mixture is heated in a water bath, after which a thin layer is applied to the knee and fixed for 2-2.5 hours. The compress is applied in the morning and evening. The course of treatment for knee meniscus at home without surgery is one month. Before using this recipe, find out if you are allergic to honey!

Onion and sugar compress

You will need 2-3 onions and sugar. Grate the onion to make a paste. Add a teaspoon of sugar there and stir. Please note that the compress should not be applied directly to the skin as this will cause irritation. Therefore, the resulting slurry is applied to the knee joint over several layers of gauze. It is better to leave the compress overnight, then rinse with warm water. The procedure is repeated daily for a month - then the treatment will bring results.

Burdock leaves for making a compress

In summer, fresh leaves are taken; in winter, dry leaves are used, having previously been soaked in hot water. A burdock leaf is wrapped around the affected knee, and a retaining bandage is placed on top. In this case, it is advisable not to remove the compress for 3-4 hours. If dry leaves were used for the compress, the recommended duration of the procedure is 8 hours. Treatment continues until the pain disappears.

Using tinctures and oils to treat meniscus

Tinctures are prepared from wormwood, garlic, nettle, birch or violet leaves. Garlic tincture is prepared from 2 cloves of garlic and 6% apple cider vinegar. All this is poured with half a liter of water and left for a week. For storage, be sure to use dark glass containers. The healing properties last for 8 months. To prepare a wormwood tincture, take a tablespoon of the herb, add 200 ml of boiling water and let it brew. After an hour, the tincture must be filtered, moistened with gauze and applied to the knee joint for 30-40 minutes. Repeat the procedure 3-4 times a day until the pain disappears. To prepare a mixture of oils, camphor, eucalyptus, menthol, wintergreen, and clove oils are used. Fresh aloe juice is also used. They are mixed in equal proportions, heated, rubbed into the skin in the area of the knee joint and wrapped in a linen bandage. Repeat 2-4 times a day. The therapeutic mixture has an antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effect. Thanks to this, pain and discomfort in the knee joint disappear.

Note! Traditional methods of treatment do not affect the cause of the disease! They only soften the symptoms, remove pain and alleviate the patient’s condition, but in no way will they help restore the structure of the meniscus if it is severely damaged.

Symptomatic therapy does not always lead to the expected effect, and self-medication is harmful to your health. Before using these recipes, consult your doctor!

What drugs are used to treat knee meniscus without surgery at home?

Complex treatment includes painkillers (NSAIDs) and chondroprotectors. The essence of treatment is the fight against pain, inflammation of the meniscus, and restoration of the structure of the cartilage tissue of the knee. During the recovery period, physiotherapeutic procedures, massage, and therapeutic exercises are indicated. You can be treated at home, but it is advisable to periodically see a doctor - he will evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy. If necessary, he will prescribe other suitable medications.

To eliminate pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used. The drugs in this group are divided into selective and non-selective inhibitors of the enzyme COX-1 and COX-2. Doctors recommend using the former because they cause far fewer side effects. The latter often lead to gastritis or peptic ulcers. And some of them (Indomethacin) completely inhibit the synthesis of cartilage tissue, thereby harming the meniscus. To treat joint diseases at home, tablet forms of drugs are used:

Non-selective inhibitors of COX-1 and COX-2:

Ketolor, Ketolorac, Dolak;
Ibuprofen, Nurofen, Ibuprom, Ibusan;
Ortofen, Voltaren, Flotac, Diclofenac, Artrosan;
Indobene, Indomethacin, Methindol.

Selective COX-2 inhibitors:

Movalis, Meloxicam;
Nimesil, Nemulex, Nise;
Celecoxib;
Enterocoxib.

Gels and ointments containing NSAIDs are used to lubricate the damaged joint. Depending on the active substance, they are divided into the following groups:

Ointments and gels containing diclofenac (Voltaren Gel, Diklak, Diklovit);
Products based on ketoprofen (Ketonal, Febrofid, Bystrum Gel, Fastum);
Based on nimesulide (Nise Gel);
The active ingredient is ibuprofen (Ibuprofen ointment, Nurofen).

Complex treatment includes chondroprotectors - substances that restore cartilage tissue. These include chondroitin sulfates, glucosamine, hyaluronic acid. It is important to know that to achieve an effect in case of meniscus damage, chondroprotectors are taken for 3-4 months. Forms of release of drugs - tablets, ointments, powders, solutions for injections. The following means are used.

Which doctor treats knee meniscus?

An orthopedist deals with diseases of the musculoskeletal system and any disorders in its functioning. They undergo appropriate training, which allows them to quickly detect the disease and prescribe adequate treatment. If your clinic does not have such a specialist, a surgeon will replace him.

The traumatologist provides first aid, helps relieve pain and swelling, and assesses the degree of injury. That is, it will relieve pain, swelling, and, if necessary, realign the joint or meniscus. The traumatologist will also give recommendations on how to behave if it is not possible to see a doctor immediately.

A rheumatologist deals with systemic diseases of bones, joints and connective tissues. People turn to him if pathologies of the meniscus are accompanied by other disorders: pain in the shoulder or hip joints, inflammatory processes, etc. If damage to the meniscus is caused by one of them, then you need to turn to him. As a rule, a referral to him is given by a surgeon or traumatologist.

An orthopedic surgeon performs operations on the knee joint. An experienced doctor of this qualification has the skills to perform open and arthroscopic operations. He accompanies the patient during preparation for surgery and during rehabilitation. Further observation is carried out by a local surgeon or orthopedist.

A chiropractor treats minor injuries and damage to the meniscus, the muscular system of the knee, without the use of medications. He uses massage and gymnastics technology that help restore blood flow and strengthen the muscles and joints of the body.

Knee meniscus: treatment without surgery at home is possible if the meniscus injury is mild. Often, damage to the meniscus of the knee joint occurs in people who overload their lower extremities for a long time. The meniscus, even in ordinary people who do not engage in sports, can be pinched, receive microtraumatic effects, and a rupture of the meniscus of the knee joint is possible.

What are we talking about?

What is the meniscus of the knee joint? The meniscus of the knee performs a shock-absorbing function provided by nature, without which full functioning of the knee joint is impossible. The meniscus is a formation located in the knee joint tissue, between the tibia and femur.

The menisci are considered the linings between the joints, having a crescent-shaped appearance. They make the knee joint less mobile, provide shock absorption, and help prevent injury. They are also capable of stretching and shrinking.

There is an external and internal meniscus or a medial meniscus and a lateral meniscus. Often the lining that is affected is a cartilaginous structure, which is localized in the internal articular structures. Problems with the meniscus are observed in 56-74 people per 12 months in a population of one hundred thousand.

Manifestations of meniscus disease in the knee joint are three times more common in the male population than in women. The disease often affects young men who are 18-19 or 29-30 years old. After the age of forty, with the meniscus of the knee joints, destructive changes are manifested due to the process of degeneration of tendon tissue. Often the menisci are not pinched, but torn.

With an acute injury to the kneecap, the articular structures are damaged so that the ligaments are also subject to traumatic effects.

About the reasons

The root causes that form the symptoms of the disease are manifested as follows:

The main reason for knee meniscus dysfunction is considered to be overload of the legs. Therefore, people involved in sports, ballroom dancing, and those who often lift heavy objects are more at risk.
Processes of degeneration and dystrophy appear due to the fact that the human body ages over time. After 51 or 52 years, articular tissues are less elastic, synovial cerebrospinal fluid is synthesized in a smaller volume.
Arthrosis also contributes to pathological processes in the menisci.

At the age of fourteen, meniscal cartilage tissue is more elastic, and the chance of its rupture is minimal. This injury is often observed in children.

How does a meniscus tear?

Meniscus tissue ruptures due to processes of degeneration, trauma, and is also classified:

By location: the body, the anterior or posterior horn is damaged.
The shape of the rupture is localized: horizontally (due to a formed cyst), radially, longitudinally, obliquely (on the bordering area of the middle and also the posterior third of the meniscal cartilage tissue), combined (posterior part of the horn).

About symptoms

Initially, symptoms manifest as acute pain in the articular tissue and patella.

If the meniscal cartilage tissue is torn, then a hematoma formation occurs in the area subject to injury.

Due to the fact that small ruptures occur, motor activity is difficult, which is accompanied by pain and characteristic crunching of the joint, this will lead to dysfunction of the joint.

If there is a tear in the meniscus, the joint tissue becomes blocked. When it is difficult to bend the injured knee, the posterior meniscus cartilage tissue is damaged. If the patient cannot straighten the knee, then the anterior meniscus cartilaginous structure is damaged.

Rupture due to degeneration usually occurs chronically. Such an injury occurs after the age of forty due to a pronounced overload of the knee joint tissue if a person stumbles or sits down unsuccessfully. Symptomatic manifestations do not depend on the type of injury; they are always individual.

For damaged meniscal structures, the symptoms are as follows:

Pain inside the knee joint.
Above the area where the meniscus is connected to the ligament, a person feels pain; this area is hypersensitive.
If a person strains a joint, then pain of a shooting nature is expressed.
There is no mobility of the kneecap.
A person feels pain in the longitudinal tibial ligament when flexing the lower limb.
The knee is swelling.
The anterior femoral area is weakened.

Symptoms of injury to the external meniscal structure:

Painful sensations occur when a person strains the lateral ligament of the knee.
Pain radiating to the outer part of the knee.
If you turn your shin inward, you will experience acute pain.
A person feels weakened muscle tissue in the front of the thigh area.

To walk or not to walk

The patient often wonders: what will be bad if the damaged meniscus is not treated, is it possible to walk as usual, will complicated conditions arise, for example, arthrosis? If therapeutic measures for the damaged meniscus are not carried out, the process becomes chronic. The affected area will always remind you during physical work, physical education, or lifting a load.

There are periods of remission during which pain does not cause discomfort for several months. But this does not mean that destructive changes have stopped. When treatment is ignored, rupture of the meniscus tissue will lead to the destruction of cartilage, and in severe cases, bone structures.

This will lead to the formation of arthrosis: the pain will become frequent and intensify after physical work. It will be difficult for the patient to move, arthrosis will progress, and the patient will become disabled.

About therapeutic measures

How to treat the meniscus of the knee joint, is it possible to treat an injured meniscus in the knee without major surgery? With a damaged meniscus of the knee joint, different symptoms and individual treatment are interrelated. In some cases, conservative treatment or treatment at home is suitable; it is possible to restore the meniscus without surgery.

In severe conditions, when there is hemorrhage in the articular structure, fluid in the knee, or meniscus tissue is torn or crushed, it is impossible to heal the knee joint without surgery. Such destructive changes do not occur often, and for a damaged meniscus of the knee joint, treatment is required only by surgical methods, otherwise severe complicated conditions will arise. The operation is performed using an endoscope because it is effective, easily performed under local anesthetics, minimally uncomfortable with a minimum of complications.

How to cure a meniscus if it is pinched? A specialist involved in manual therapy or orthopedics and traumatology will help cure the meniscus. The doctor will perform manual manipulation on the damaged joint; if inflammation exists, he will prescribe conservative treatment.

Therapeutic measures at home

How to treat it if the meniscus is damaged? Treatment of meniscus at home consists of providing the patient with rest after an injury. The joint is fixed with the patella. The person needs to lie down on the bed, the affected limb is placed on a pillow higher than the chest level so that edematous changes do not appear.

Treatment of the knee joint at home involves applying a cold compress, which will relieve pain and improve the patient’s well-being. Then you should contact a doctor who will perform an examination and prescribe diagnostic measures:

Computed tomography of the meniscus.
Ultrasound diagnosis of the joint.
MRI, arthroscopic examination.

To normalize the functioning of the meniscus of the knee joint and conduct individual treatment without complex surgery, a complex of physical therapy is indicated. Together with exercise therapy for damage to the meniscus of the knee joint, the usual treatment without surgery at home consists of massage techniques.

Electrical stimulation will relax and strengthen the myofibers of the femoral area. Magnetotherapeutic and laser therapeutic effects will improve the metabolic processes and blood circulation of muscles.

To restore the meniscus without surgery, you need to engage in physical therapy:

Place a small ball under the knee joint tissue. When bending the knee, you should try to squeeze the ball; when the joint is straightened, it is advisable to hold the ball.
You should walk on the mat on your knees, resting on your hands, even if you feel pain.

If the meniscus is injured, treatment is carried out using warming compresses, the application of which to the damaged area is indicated several times a day. They also use ointments, gels, creams, and balms.

Therapeutic kinesio taping is also indicated. Taping the knee joint reduces the pressure on the knee joint, preventing it from extending beyond the required level. Taping the knee joint will minimize aggravated conditions, and the joint will recover in a short period.

Advantages of taping:

Accelerates joint recovery.
The period of application is 3-7 days.
Tape and human dermis are similar, so this product takes almost the entire load on itself.
The knee is not completely immobilized.
The skin under the tape breathes.
Affordable price of the product.

About the rules of taping

First, wash and clean the skin, degrease, and remove hair in the area where taping will be performed. For prophylaxis, the tape is carefully attached from the proximally localized area to the distal area. For therapeutic measures, it is fixed in reverse.
The fastening parts on one side and the other should not stretch.
The force with which the tape is pulled is determined by the doctor; it depends on the method of applying the tape.
You should rub the tape well with your hand, then it will stick better.
You can stand in the shower or do physical exercise in 44-45 minutes. If everything is done correctly, there should be no pain or discomfort.
If the knee is severely compressed or stiff, then the tape is removed and re-taped, taking into account all the mistakes made.
Care should be taken to ensure that when fixing the knee joint, folds do not appear and blood vessels and nerves are not pinched.
If there is pain in the joint, discomfort, the painful area suffers, tingles, turns pale and blue, then the tension of the tape should be reduced or removed, and consultation with the treating doctor is also required.

About unconventional methods

How to carry out treatment with folk remedies? Treatment of the meniscus of the knee joint with folk remedies consists of using wet dressings that contain medicinal mud; the use of honey, wormwood, and burdock leaves is also indicated. Before using the compress, it is recommended to warm it up so that the temperature is from 36 to 37ºC, then wrap it with food film and other woolen fabric, then tighten the joint with a bandage. Leave for a couple of hours or overnight.

Honey compress

Apply ethyl alcohol and bee honey to the joint, using equal proportions. Using a water bath, the ingredients are heated, then the ointment is thinly applied to the joint tissue and fixed for a couple of hours. Apply 2 times a day for about 30 days.

Compress with onions

Take 3 onions and grate until smooth. Add 8 g of sugar and stir. It is worth remembering that the ingredients of the compress are not applied to the skin, as the skin will be irritated.

It is necessary to apply the grated onion to a gauze cloth, wound in layers over the painful area. Leave it overnight, then wash it off with warm water. Daily use is indicated for 30 days.

Application of burdock

In summer, to prepare a burdock compress, take the leaves of the plant; in winter, use dried leaves, but before use they are soaked in heated water. A burdock leaf is wrapped around the damaged joint and secured with a bandage on top. Keep for 3 or 4 hours.

When using dry burdock leaves, keep the compress on the joint for 8 hours. Apply until the pain disappears.

About oils and tinctures

The garlic type tincture is prepared from two parts of the ingredient, and apple cider vinegar is also added. 240-250 ml of water is poured in and infused for 7 days. Store in a shaded glass container. Shelf life 7-9 months.

Wormwood tincture is prepared as follows: take 8-9 g of wormwood and pour 190-200 ml of water boiling over high heat. After 60 minutes, filter, soak gauze in it and apply to the joint for half an hour. Carry out 3 or 4 manipulations until the pain is relieved.

How to use herbs

Take 8-9 g of birch buds, violet and nettle leaves. Everything is crushed, mixed, and no more than half a liter is poured with boiling water. The mixture is infused for half an hour, then it is filtered through gauze. You should take a quarter glass 4 times a day.

Application of horseradish

The root of the plant is crushed so that there are 8-9 g of raw materials. Place in a container and steam over low heat. The horseradish must be crushed, a gauze cloth is soaked in the resulting porridge and applied to the joint, tied with a scarf. Leave it for a couple of hours, then wash the area with water at room temperature.

Using Pork Fat

Take internal lard about 190-200 g and heat it over low heat. When the ingredient is heated, add a head of garlic and a couple of tablespoons of dried eucalyptus leaves. Bring to a boil, leave for a couple of hours, filter with gauze and place in a glass container. Rub 2 times a day.

You should always be careful when walking or running and use comfortable shoes. Before physical exercise, the muscles should be stretched and warmed up.

To prevent injury, it is necessary to strengthen the quadriceps femoris muscle: it is useful to slowly lower and raise the straight lower limb in a standing position.

The cartilaginous structures of the joint will be strengthened if a person eats a balanced diet. Athletes are especially susceptible to injury. Therefore, they should remember that when training they should use knee pads, which will greatly reduce injuries to the meniscus of the knee joint.

The menisci of the knee joint are the cartilage discs located between the tibia and femur. They are crescent-shaped “spacers” and provide stability to the joint, play the role of a shock absorber and increase the contact area of the articular surfaces. When talking about meniscal damage, experts usually mean its rupture. In this article we will introduce you to the main causes, symptoms, types, methods of diagnosing and treating injuries to the meniscus of the knee joint.

Despite the large margin of strength of the menisci, such injuries are one of the most common problems of the knee joint and are usually observed in physically active people (youth, athletes, physical workers).

According to statistics, 60-70 people out of 100 thousand encounter such injuries every year, and 3-4 times more often such injuries occur in men. People under 30 years of age usually experience traumatic ruptures of the menisci, and after 40, a violation of their integrity due to the appearance of chronic degenerative changes in them.

A little anatomy

This is how the knee joint works.

There are two menisci in each knee joint:

lateral (or external) - its shape resembles the letter C;
medial (or internal) - has the shape of a regular semicircle.

Each of them is divided into three parts:

anterior horn;
body;
posterior horn.

The menisci are formed from fibrous cartilage tissue and are attached to the tibia (front and back). In addition, the inner meniscus along the outer edge is attached by the coronary ligament to the joint capsule. This triple fastening makes it more stationary (compared to the external one). Because of this, it is the inner meniscus that is more susceptible to injury.

A normal meniscus consists primarily of special collagen fibers. Most of them are located circularly (alongwise), and the smaller part is located radially (from the edge to the center). Such fibers are connected to each other by a small amount of perforating (i.e., random) fibers.

The meniscus consists of:

collagen – 60-70%;
extracellular matrix proteins – 8-13%;
elastin – 0.6%.

In the meniscus there is a red zone - an area with blood vessels.

Functions of the menisci

Previously, scientists believed that menisci were nonfunctional muscle remnants. It is now known that they perform a number of functions:

contribute to uniform distribution of load on the surface of the joint;
stabilize the joint;
absorb shocks when moving;
reduce contact tension;
send signals to the brain about the position of the joint;
limit the range of motion of the cartilage and reduce the likelihood of dislocations.

Causes and types of ruptures

Depending on the causes of meniscus damage, there are:

traumatic ruptures - appear as a result of traumatic impact (awkward turn or jump, deep squatting, squatting, rotational-flexion or rotational movements during sports, etc.);
degenerative ruptures - appear as a result of chronic diseases of the joint, which lead to degenerative changes in its structures.

Depending on the location of the damage, meniscal rupture can occur:

in the anterior horn;
body;
posterior horn.

Depending on the shape, a meniscus tear can be:

horizontal - occurs due to cystic degeneration;
oblique, radial, longitudinal - occurs at the border of the middle and posterior third of the meniscus;
combined - occurs in the posterior horn.

After an MRI, specialists can judge the extent of meniscus damage:

0 – meniscus without changes;
I – a focal signal is recorded in the thickness of the meniscus;
II – a linear signal is recorded in the thickness of the meniscus;
III – intense signal reaches the surface of the meniscus.

Symptoms

Traumatic ruptures

At the time of injury, a person feels acute pain in the affected area, the joint swells, and hemarthrosis may develop.

At the time of injury (during a jump, deep squat, etc.), the patient experiences sharp pain in the knee joint and the soft tissues of the knee swell. If damage occurs in the red zone of the meniscus, then blood flows into the joint cavity and leads to development, manifested by the appearance of bulging and swelling above the kneecap.

The intensity of pain when a meniscus is damaged can vary. Sometimes, due to its severity, the victim cannot even step on his foot. And in other cases, it is felt only when performing certain movements (for example, when going down the stairs it is felt, but not when going up).

After an injury to the internal meniscus, when trying to strain the leg, the victim feels a sharp shooting pain, and flexing the limb leads to pain along the tibial ligament. After an injury, the kneecap cannot be moved, and muscle weakness is detected in the area of the front surface of the thigh.

If the outer meniscus is damaged, the pain intensifies when trying to turn the lower leg inward. It is felt when the fibular collateral ligament is tense and shoots along it and into the outer part of the joint. In the area of the front of the thigh, the patient exhibits muscle weakness.

After a meniscus rupture, the torn part moves and impedes movement in the knee joint. With minor injuries, sensations of difficulty in movement and painful clicks may appear, and with large ones, a blockade of the joint may occur, which is caused by the movement of a large moving fragment to the center of the joint (i.e., it seems to jam the joint). As a rule, a rupture of the posterior horn leads to limited flexion of the leg at the knee, and damage to the body and anterior horn makes it difficult to extend the limb.

Sometimes a meniscus tear (usually the external one) can be combined with. In such cases, swelling of the knee occurs faster and is more significant than with an unrelated injury.

Degenerative tears

Typically, such injuries occur in people over 40 years of age. Their appearance is not always associated with a traumatic factor, and a rupture can occur after performing habitual actions (for example, after rising from a chair, bed, armchair) or with minor physical impact (for example, a normal squat).

The patient experiences swelling and pain in the knee area, which does not occur acutely. Usually, this is where the manifestations of a degenerative meniscus end, but in some cases they may be accompanied by a blockade of the joint. Often, with such injuries to the meniscus, there is a violation of the integrity of the adjacent cartilage that covers the tibia or femur.

As with traumatic injuries, the severity of pain from degenerative tears can vary. In some cases, because of it, the patient cannot step on his leg, and in others, pain occurs only when performing a specific movement (for example, squatting).

Possible complications

Sometimes, in the absence of unbearable pain, meniscus damage is confused with ordinary damage. The victim may not seek help from a specialist for a long time, and the painful sensations may disappear completely over time. Despite this relief, the meniscus remains damaged and ceases to perform its functions.

Subsequently, destruction of the articular surfaces occurs, leading to the development of a severe complication (deforming arthrosis). This dangerous disease may in the future become an indication for knee replacement.

If you have a knee injury, the following symptoms are a reason to consult a doctor:

even mild pain in the knee when walking up stairs;
the appearance of a crunching or clicking sound when bending the leg;
episodes of knee locking;
swelling;
sensations of interference when moving in the knee joint;
inability to squat deeply.

If at least one of the above symptoms appears, you should contact an orthopedist or traumatologist.

First aid

Ice should be applied to the injured knee.

For any knee injury, the victim should be provided with first aid:

Immediately avoid any stress on the knee joint and subsequently use crutches to move around.
To reduce pain, swelling and stop bleeding, apply a cold compress to the area of injury or wrap your leg in cotton cloth and apply ice to it (be sure to remove it every 15-20 minutes for 2 minutes to prevent frostbite).
Allow the victim to take a painkiller in the form of tablets (Analgin, Ketanol, Nimesulide, Ibuprofen, etc.) or perform an intramuscular injection.
Give your leg an elevated position.
Do not delay visiting a doctor and help the victim get to a medical facility or emergency room.

Diagnostics

After interviewing and examining the patient, the doctor conducts a series of tests that allow the presence of meniscus damage to be determined with an accuracy of 95%:

Steinman rotation tests;
identification of the extension symptom using the Roche and Baikov tests;
mediolateral test to identify the symptom of compression.

The following additional examination methods can accurately determine the presence of a meniscus tear:

MRI of the knee joint (accuracy up to 95%);
Ultrasound (sometimes used);
radiography (less informative).

The information value of radiography in the study of cartilage tissue is small, but it is always prescribed if a meniscus tear is suspected to exclude the presence of other injuries (ligament ruptures, fractures, etc.).

Sometimes diagnostic arthroscopy is performed to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment tactics for meniscus injuries are determined by the severity of the injury. Small ruptures or degenerative changes can be eliminated using conservative methods, but for significant ruptures and blockages of the knee joint, the patient must undergo surgical intervention.

Conservative therapy

The patient is advised to provide maximum rest to the injured limb. To ensure immobility of the joint, an elastic bandage is applied to the area of injury, and when in bed, an elevated position of the leg is recommended. In the first days after injury, cold should be applied to the injured area. When moving, the patient must use crutches.

To eliminate pain and inflammation, antibacterial and. After the acute period has stopped, the patient is recommended a rehabilitation program that ensures the most complete restoration of the functions of the knee joint.

Surgery

Previously, in case of severe injury to the meniscus, surgery was performed to completely remove it. Such interventions were considered harmless, since the role of these cartilage pads was underestimated. However, after such radical surgical operations, 75% of patients developed arthritis, and after 15 years - arthrosis. Since 1980, such interventions have been found to be completely ineffective. By this time, it had become technically possible to perform such a minimally invasive and effective operation as arthroscopy.

This surgical intervention is performed through two small punctures (up to 0.7 cm) using an arthroscope, consisting of an optical device connected to a video camera that displays an image on a monitor. The device itself is inserted into one of the punctures, and the instruments for performing the operation are inserted through the other.

Arthroscopy is performed in an aquatic environment. This surgical technique allows one to achieve good therapeutic and cosmetic results and significantly reduces the patient’s rehabilitation time after an injury. Using an arthroscope, the surgeon can reach the most distant areas of the joint. To eliminate damage to the meniscus, a specialist installs special fasteners (anchors) on it or applies sutures. Sometimes, if the meniscus is significantly displaced during surgery, it is partially removed (that is, its torn section is cut off).

If during arthroscopy the doctor detects chondromalacia (cartilage damage), then the patient may be recommended to administer special drugs intra-articularly after surgery. For this, the following can be used: Duralan, Ostenil, Fermaton, etc.

The success of arthroscopic interventions for meniscal tears largely depends on the severity of the injury, the location of the injury, the age of the patient and the presence of degenerative changes in the tissues. A greater likelihood of good results is observed in young patients, and a lower likelihood in patients over 40 years of age or in the presence of severe meniscal damage, horizontal dissection or displacement.

Typically, such surgery lasts about 2 hours. Already on the first day after arthroscopy, the patient can walk on crutches, stepping on the operated leg, and after 2-3 days he walks with a cane. Its full recovery lasts about 2 weeks. Professional athletes can return to training and their usual loads after 3 weeks.

In some cases, with significant damage to the meniscus and complete loss of its functionality, the patient may be recommended a surgical operation such as meniscus transplantation. Frozen (donor and cadaveric) or irradiated menisci are used as a graft. According to statistics, better results from such interventions are observed when using frozen donor menisci. There are also grafts made from artificial materials.