Cartilage pads located in the knee joint are called menisci and perform a vital function - protect the joint from damage under heavy loads. This is due to the transformation of the shape when moving. Any damage to the meniscus causes very severe pain in the joint and significantly reduces the activity of the person, not allowing him to perform the usual movements.
Types of Meniscal Trauma
There are several types of damage:
- meniscus tear;
- degenerative changes in the meniscus - for example, excessive mobility;
- detachment - detachment from the attachment area;
- cystic degeneration.
Such injuries can be caused by various reasons, for example, sharp knee extension, excessive and prolonged strain on the knees (improper cycling). The cause may also be rheumatism, various micro-injuries, etc.
Symptoms of damage to the meniscus
How to understand what exactly the meniscus requires attention and treatment? First of all, it is, of course, a sharp pain when walking in the knee area, the inability to perform the movement with the usual amplitude. It is very important not to endure the pain and not to start the disease, otherwise serious complications may arise: fluid will accumulate in the joint, a strong tumor in the area of injury and even loss of joint mobility may appear. As a result, it will be impossible to avoid the operation, and this is an extreme measure.
Damage to the knee joint meniscus - treatment
If you respond in a timely manner, surgery can be avoided. With minor damages, classical methods can be dispensed with: avoiding loads on the knee joint, using special ointments, etc.
In case of serious injury, a torn meniscus may need to be removed, but this is a rare case, since problems usually occur with moderate loads and the victims do not lead the disease to a neglected form.
If nevertheless, surgical intervention was required, the main task of the doctor is to preserve the main body of the cartilaginous lining, which is carried out using a surgical suture using miniature instruments and video cameras. At the same time, a lot of factors are taken into account: the general characteristics of the damage, its prescription, the age and state of health of the patient, etc.
If the damage to the meniscus is not serious (and this is confirmed by the doctor), you can take some treatment actions at home. For example, a warming compress will help to speed up the recovery process. Mix the medical alcohol and honey 1: 1 and fix the compress on the knee with a bandage, then wrap it with a warm scarf. Remove the compress after a couple of hours, this procedure can be done daily until the pain in the knee disappears completely.
Rehabilitation after a meniscus injury
The rehabilitation period for each patient who has been partially or completely removed
If it is a question of recovery after a meniscus fracture, the person will need to use crutches for a much longer time, about 4-6 weeks.
Thanks to modern technology, there is no longer any need to conduct open knee surgery, now miniature sections of tissues are made, and therefore the rehabilitation time is significantly reduced. You can go back to work and sports training much faster.