Inflammation of the meniscus: causes, symptoms, treatment. Sharp pain in the knee

In modern medical practice, doctors often have to diagnose meniscal inflammation. And with this problem they are addressed not only by professional dancers or sportsmen, but also by ordinary people. After reading today's article, you will find out why this disease occurs and how to treat it.

What is a meniscus?

This term means a cartilaginous lining in the knee joint, which has the shape of a crescent. It is located between the hip and shank and functions as a shock absorber. This fibrous cartilaginous formation not only softens the movements, but also protects the bone from damage and friction.

There are two types of menisci: lateral (external) and medial (internal). They have a similar structure, but differ in form and method of attachment. Most often, modern traumatologists have to diagnose damage to the medial meniscus of the knee joint (treatment of this problem will be discussed below).

Causes of the disease

Physicians identify several major factors that can trigger the onset of the inflammatory process. Most often, the problem arises from the violation of blood flow in the cartilaginous tissues, which causes pathological changes in them.

Often, inflammation of the meniscus occurs as a result of constant stress on the knee region. This may be due not only to heavy physical labor and the presence of excess weight.

Another cause of the development of the disease is the damage to the whole segment of the cartilage or anterior horn of the meniscus, obtained with careless movements or injuries. Also, the impetus for the development of the inflammatory process can be activities associated with prolonged walking, a direct blow to the knee or a fall on the straightened limbs when jumping in height or in length.

The risk group includes professional athletes, people whose work is associated with persistent physical stress, and those who are obese. Often, inflammation of the meniscus develops in patients who have previously been diagnosed with rheumatism, gout, arthrosis or other serious disease of the musculo-articular apparatus.

Symptoms

Inflammation of the knee is a rather serious disease. When untimely treatment, it can cause a lot of inconvenience and significantly reduce the patient's quality of life. To begin the correct treatment, you need to understand the signs that this ailment is recognized.

By the nature of the inflammatory process, an acute, subacute and chronic form is isolated. The course of the disease strongly affects the severity of the clinical picture. One of the most characteristic signs is a sharp pain in the knee, which increases with physical exertion. Depending on the severity of the lesion, the patient may be restricted mobility of the joint. In some especially neglected cases, redness, swelling and a local increase in temperature in the knee area are observed.

Methods of diagnosis

It should be remembered that a sharp pain in the knee should be a reason for visiting a doctor. The specialist will assign a series of studies to establish an accurate diagnosis, and correct treatment. As a rule, magnetic resonance imaging, X-ray and ultrasound are used for these purposes. Only after a complete examination the doctor will be able to correctly diagnose and exclude other health problems.

Despite the fact that the X-ray does not allow you to fully assess the condition of the knee joint, you can remove the suspicion of a more serious pathology with the help of the picture.

Inflammation of the meniscus: treatment

During the selection of therapy, it is necessary to take into account the causes of the disease, the severity of the symptoms and the nature of the course. In addition, it is important to have an accurate picture of the state of the cartilage of a particular patient and how other parts of the intraarticular elements affected the inflammation.

Today, operative and conservative treatment is effectively used. In some cases, the patient is recommended both types of therapy. With the timely application for medical help, the damage to the medial meniscus of the knee joint, the treatment of which is reduced to taking medication, very quickly passes. In such cases, the patient is recommended anti-inflammatory ointments and tablets.

Folk methods

Inflammation of the meniscus is successfully treated not only with the help of medications. To alleviate pain, folk remedies are often used. To enhance the effect, such therapy is desirable to be carried out in parallel with traditional methods and only after preliminary consultation with the doctor.

Not bad proved to be coniferous bath. They have anti-inflammatory effect, relieve muscle tone and improve blood circulation. Do such procedures preferably in a day, before going to bed. For this, half a kilo of chopped pine needles is poured with two liters of boiling water and for half an hour kept in a water bath.

It relieves inflammation of the honey compress on the knee. For its preparation you will need an equal amount of honey and alcohol. These components are mixed in one bowl and heated to 37 degrees. The resulting warm mass is applied to a sore spot, wrapped in a natural woolen cloth and left for two hours. Repeat this procedure is desirable twice a day for thirty days.

An effective folk remedy is the onion compress on the knee. It can be done at night. To do this, apply a slurry to the sore spot, prepared from a tablespoon of sugar and two crushed bulbs.

Prevention

To date, doctors are not aware of any way to prevent injury. Therefore, they give only general recommendations. To avoid the inflammation of the meniscus, you must be very careful while jogging and jumping. Girls often do not want to wear shoes on a platform or high heels.

Professional athletes are advised to protect their knees with special fixing bandages. This will significantly reduce the risk of injury in the process of competition or training.

In addition, there is a special set of exercises designed to strengthen the quadriceps muscle, which stabilizes the joint while walking. As a consequence, there is a significant reduction in the risk of a meniscus injury. Do not forget that the strength of muscles and joints also depends on how well and balanced the person feeds.