Rupture of the knee joint meniscus: symptoms, photos, treatment without surgery, consequences. Rupture of the medial knee joint meniscus: treatment

In the human body, more than 200 bones, which are joined together immobile, semi-mobile and mobile. The last joint is called the joint. Among all joints, the knee is constantly subjected to stress, there is a high risk of injury.

The joint is formed by bones, numerous ligaments and formations, which serve as depots for depreciation - menisci. Most often, knee pain is due to their pathologies. In people up to the age of forty, the leading place is occupied by trauma, and after 50 already affects degenerative changes in the bone system. The most serious pathology is the rupture of the knee joint meniscus , the symptoms, the treatment will be discussed in the article.

What is a meniscus?

Meniscus is a cartilaginous plate located between the bones of the thigh and lower leg, which serves to absorb during walking. It consists of body and horns. Meniscus is similar to a crescent whose horns are attached to intercondylar elevations. Menisci come in two forms:

1. Lateral. It is located on the outside of the knee, has greater mobility, so less is injured.
2. The rupture of the medial meniscus of the knee joint occurs more often, since it is located closer to the inner edge and has less mobility.

The causes and symptoms of a meniscus rupture will be discussed further.

Purpose of meniscuses

These cartilaginous formations perform the following functions:

• Contribute to depreciation and reduce the load on the bones of the knee joint;
• Increase in the contact surface of bones, thereby reducing the load on them;
• Menisci stabilize the knee;
• They contain receptors, which give signals to the brain about the position of the lower extremities.

Side parts of the meniscus blood supply is obtained from the capsule, and the body due to the intracapsular fluid. There are several areas for supplying the meniscus with nutrients:

1. The red zone is located in the immediate vicinity of the capsule and receives the maximum blood supply.
2. The intermediate zone receives little food.
3. The white zone is devoid of blood supply from the capsule.

If there is a rupture of the medial meniscus of the knee joint, the treatment is selected depending on the area of injury.

Causes of a Meniscus Trauma

Most often, a meniscus rupture can:

1. Traumatic effect.
2. Sharp abduction of the lower leg.
3. Sharp and maximum extension in the knee joint.
4. Knock on the knee.

After 50 years, a break in the meniscus can be triggered by degenerative changes in the composition of the bones.

Types of damage to meniscuses

The rupture of the medial meniscus of the knee joint is one of the frequent injuries. Most often occurs in athletes, professional dancers, as well as those who engage in heavy physical labor. Depending on the type of damage, they distinguish:

• Vertical gap;
• Oblique;
• Degenerative rupture, when there is a massive destruction of the meniscus tissue;
• radial;
• Horizontal rupture;
• Trauma of the meniscus horns.

As a result of injury, damage to the external or internal meniscus or both can occur.

Symptoms of a meniscus rupture

If we take into account the nature of the cause of the rupture, then they are divided into two types:

1. The traumatic rupture of the meniscus of the knee joint symptoms is characteristic and proceeds acutely.
2. The degenerative rupture is characterized by a chronic course, so the symptoms are smoothened and there are no bright clinical manifestations.

Acute trauma of the meniscus is manifested:

1. Sharp and severe pain.
2. Edema.
3. Disturbance of mobility of the joint.

But to put the correct diagnosis can only the doctor, because such symptoms can talk about many injuries, for example, dislocation or rupture of ligaments. If you do not take any measures, then in a couple of weeks the meniscus tear of the knee joint symptoms, the photo shows it, shows already secondary ones, which include:

1. Accumulation of fluid in the joint cavity.
2. The knee is bent in a semi-bent position.
3. The muscles of the thighs lose their tone.
4. Sometimes in the joint space you can find the meniscus.

If there is a rupture of the knee joint meniscus, the treatment will depend on the severity of the injury.

The severity of the severity of the meniscus

Given the extent of the serious injury of the meniscus, the doctor will prescribe therapy. And the degree of damage are the following:

1. 1 degree, when there is a small rupture, pain is minor, there is a swelling. Symptoms disappear on their own in a couple of weeks.
2. 2 degree of moderate severity. It is manifested by acute pain in the knee, swelling, movement is limited. At the slightest load, there is pain in the joint. If there is such a rupture of the knee joint meniscus, it can be cured without surgery, but without appropriate therapy, the pathology becomes chronic.
3. 3 degree of rupture is the heaviest. There is not only pain, swelling, but also there is a hemorrhage in the joint cavity. Meniscus is almost completely smashed, this degree requires mandatory surgical treatment.

Establishing diagnosis

If there is a suspicion of a meniscus injury, you should definitely consult a doctor. The surgeon after a detailed examination will determine the severity of the injury, its location, but to accurately recognize the meniscus rupture it is necessary to undergo a series of studies:

1. Radiography is the easiest way to diagnose. Due to the fact that the meniscus is not visible in the image, the examination is carried out using a contrast medium.
2. MRI.
3. Arthroscopy allows you to look inside the joint and determine the severity of the lesion.

After confirming the diagnosis, the doctor can prescribe an effective treatment.

Types of therapy for a meniscus injury

If the diagnosis of a knee joint meniscus rupture is confirmed , treatment without surgery includes the following directions:

1. Conservative therapy.
2. Treatment with the help of folk methods.

If there is an extensive rupture of the knee joint meniscus, treatment without surgery will not help. Without the help of competent surgeons can not do.

Conservative treatment

This type of therapy includes the following:

1. First aid, which is as follows:

• Ensuring complete peace.
• Use of cold compress.
• Use of painkillers.
• If fluid accumulates, you will have to resort to a puncture.
• The imposition of a plaster bandage, although some doctors consider this impractical.

2. Compliance with bed rest.

3. The gypsum langeta is applied for a period of not less than 2-3 weeks.

4. Remove the blockade of the knee joint.

5. Application in the treatment of physiotherapy methods and therapeutic gymnastics.

6. Inflammation and pain syndrome is removed with the help of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Diclofenk, Ibuprofen, Meloksikam.

7. Chondroprotectors: "Glucosamine", "Khondratin sulfate" help the early recovery of cartilaginous tissue.

8. The use of external agents in the form of ointments and creams will help to recover faster after an injury. Most often use "Ketoral", "Voltaren", "Dolgit" and others.

If the treatment is selected correctly, then after 6-8 weeks, recovery will occur.

Surgical intervention

If a knee joint meniscus rupture is obtained, some symptoms may become an indication for surgical intervention:

• The tissue of the meniscus is crushed;
• There was a displacement of the meniscus or its rupture into parts;
• Presence of blood in the joint cavity;
• No results from treatment.

Surgical intervention can be carried out by several methods:

1. If the discontinuity of the meniscus of the knee joint symptoms is acute due to the almost complete decomposition of the cartilaginous tissue, then a removal of the meniscus or part thereof is indicated. The operation is rather traumatic and can relieve pain only in 50-60% of cases.

2. Restoration of the meniscus. For such manipulation, surgeons are usually taken when the operation is performed for young people and then under certain conditions:

• Longitudinal rupture;
• Peripheral rupture;
• If the meniscus came off the capsule;
• Peripheral discontinuity with displacement;
• In the absence of degenerative changes.

With such an intervention, it is important to consider the location of the rupture and the prescription of injury.

3. Arthroscopic method is less traumatic and modern. With this intervention, a minimal disturbance of adjacent tissues occurs. To sew the meniscus use special needles, the stitch is strong.

4. Use of special fixatives for fixing the meniscus. This method allows you to carry out the operation without additional cuts and devices. For this method, second-generation fixatives are used that quickly resolve and reduce the risk of complications.

5. Meniscus transplantation is carried out in the event that something is impossible to do. There are some contraindications for this method:

• Degenerative changes;
• elderly age;
• Somatic diseases;
• Knee instability.

What method of surgical intervention is preferred in each case by a doctor.

Rehabilitation after surgery

Not only is it important to perform an operation correctly, but success will depend on the recovery period. After the operation, it is important to follow certain recommendations:

1. Exercise under the guidance of an experienced mentor special exercises that will contribute to the development of the joint.
2. Chondroprotectors, anti-inflammatory drugs are mandatory.
3. A great help in recovery will be physiotherapy and massage.
4. No physical activity for at least six months, and better all 12 months.

If you follow all the recommendations of the doctor, then the recovery process will be successful.

Traditional methods of treatment

If the symptoms of knee joint meniscus are not so acute, the treatment with folk remedies along with conservative therapies can quite effectively help. Here is the list of the most popular recipes:

1. In the first hours and days after receiving an injury to the sore spot, apply ice.
2. Always complete rest and the leg should be located above the level of the heart.
3. You can use a warming compress using honey, it will not only take away the inflammatory process, but also relieve the pain. Prepare it as follows: connect the same amount of alcohol and honey, mix well, moisten the napkin and attach to the sore spot. Top with a warm scarf and hold for several hours.
4. Grind with a blender fresh bulb, mix with 1 teaspoon of sugar and apply on a napkin to the injured knee. Top with a plastic wrap and secure. In this condition, leave it overnight. Such manipulation must be done every day, if the meniscus is not displaced, it must be restored.
5. Burdock can also help if it is crushed and applied to a sore spot. Secure the bandage and hold for 3 hours, then change.

If the meniscus of the knee joint shows enough severity, the symptoms and treatment does not help, then you will have to resort to surgery.

The consequences of a meniscus injury

If there is a break in the meniscus, then such a trauma is considered quite serious. Most often, the pathology of the joints does not pass without a trace, even with appropriate treatment. If a knee joint meniscus rupture was diagnosed, the consequences may be as follows:

1. Repeated rupture. This is often enough even after surgery. That is why after the rehabilitation period it is necessary to take care of your knees all the same, it is necessary to limit active sports activities.
2. Education with hematomas. They can stay after the operation and cause pain. Such consequences need urgent elimination, the patient will have to undergo a long period of rehabilitation and complex medication.
3. The development of the inflammatory process, which often happens, if you do not try to eliminate the remaining hematomas or there was an unsuccessful surgical intervention. Even if the treatment was successful, it does not guarantee that there will be no problems in the future, therefore it is necessary to visit the doctor periodically for examination.
4. It is also necessary to remember that after the operation there will be swelling of the joint, but after a while all this will pass, if not, then it is necessary to inform the doctor.
5. Discomfort after discharge from the hospital remains for a while, but it is getting smaller as medications are taken. But if it does not subside, but becomes more intense, then it can be said that a complication develops in the form of a hemorrhage into the joint or a purulent inflammatory process. In such situations, doctors can not do without the help.

How to prevent a meniscus injury?

Everyone can get such an injury, but it is better to prevent the meniscus from breaking or to reduce its probability. For this, the training of knee joints is perfect. But do not mean the use of heavy loads, it is enough to ride regularly on a bicycle, make walks, run, so that the meniscus becomes stronger, then the probability of a rupture will be minimal.

We examined how the meniscus of the knee joint shows signs of what therapies are used, but it is better not to let such traumas. Take care of yourself and your health.