Meniscus is ... Where is the meniscus? Types of damage to the meniscus

Meniscus are cartilaginous pads that are in the knee joint. This structure is located between the hip and shank. The main function performed by the meniscus is the depreciation during movement. According to statistics, most of all knee joint injuries are associated with the rupture of this cartilaginous tissue.

Types of Meniscus

This organ consists of the anterior and posterior horn, as well as the body. The capillary grid forms a red zone, it has the greatest density and is located at the edge. The central part - the white zone - has practically no vessels. This is the most subtle place. In the knee joint there are two kinds of meniscus. The outer, or lateral, has the shape of a regular semicircle. He is quite agile, and therefore less likely to get injured. The inner (medial) meniscus is the cartilage in the form of the letter C. Its mobility is much lower. Menisci are attached between each other by means of a transverse ligament. The peculiarity of this organ is that with age it becomes much thinner.

Functions

The knee is considered to be a rather important component of the human musculoskeletal system. First of all, it is a shock absorber in the knee when making movements. At the same time, excess mobility is limited. In addition, the meniscus is the protection of the joint surface. Another important function is to reduce the friction of the cartilaginous tissue. Meniscus (photo can be seen below) signals the brain about the position of the knee.

Injury to a meniscus

Among injuries of the knee joint, the problem with the meniscus takes a leading position. In 75% of cases, damage to the medial meniscus is diagnosed, about 20% is a violation in the work of the external. Another 5% are allotted to the illnesses of both. In general, such injuries are received by athletes and people who are engaged in manual labor. Most often, the disease is diagnosed in men. There are situations when the knee joint is damaged by sharp or abnormal movement. And if the lateral fuses relatively well, then the damage to the medial meniscus requires thorough treatment.

Kinds of knee joint meniscus injuries

There are several types of cartilage damage. The first type is the opening of the meniscus from the attachment points in the paracapsular zone. The following type includes damage to the anterior, posterior horns, as well as rupture of the body. There is also a degeneration of the meniscus. If there is excessive mobility or the chronic nature of injuries, then we can talk about another class of injuries. To a special kind include the state when the cyst affects the meniscus - a trauma of this type is characterized by a fluid neoplasm. It arises mainly as a consequence of heavy loads. The nature of the damage can be different. There is a complete, incomplete fracture, longitudinal or transverse. Also crushed injuries are diagnosed. The knee of the meniscus can be broken both without displacement, and with displacement of the injured parts.

Meniscus cyst

Very often this disease occurs in young people, especially athletes. In this case, the body of the meniscus is filled with liquid. If you do not cure such a condition in time, then a break is possible. There are several stages of this problem. At the first time, a cyst can only be detected by a histological method. On the second, a small convexity is visualized. The third stage is as follows: cysts are formed not only in the meniscus, but also in the adjacent tissues. The main cause of neoplasms is a large load on the knee joint. In addition, cysts can appear with repeated damage to the meniscus. The main symptomatology for this problem is acute pain. In the area of damage, there is an increase in temperature. Also clicks are heard when making movements. Treatment in the first two stages is conservative. But the third implies an operative intervention.

Symptoms of a meniscus injury

Diseases of the knee joint are often similar in their primary symptoms. Only after the acute phase passes, it can be determined that the meniscus is damaged. Injury of this cartilaginous lining has a number of symptoms.

• Increased temperature in the affected area.
• Local pain. Immediately when injured, it is quite sharp, as well as during the next couple of minutes. Then the pain is weakened, and a person can even walk.
• The presence of edema. Usually it appears on the second day. If the joint has increased in size, then immediately seek medical help.
• Bleeding.
• Restriction of movement and loss of sensitivity.
• If the joint bends, you can hear the characteristic sounds.
• The onset of inflammatory processes.

These symptoms characterize the fact that the meniscus (the photo can be seen above) may have been traumatized.

How is the disease diagnosed?

If there is a suspicion that the knee joint is damaged, the meniscus is broken or injured, the following types of diagnostics are used. The doctor can prescribe an ultrasound examination. In some cases, magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography is performed. In this case, the composition and size of tissues are studied in detail. To exclude the presence of a fracture, radiography can be performed. Special tests are also conducted to help determine if the meniscus is broken. A special click that can be heard with little movement helps to identify the problem. Injuries of this type are often diagnosed using joint blockade. For the diagnosis is particularly important to describe the history of the origin of the damage.

Arthroscopy

This method is used not only for diagnosis, but also for the treatment of knee joint injuries. In this case, the damage to the skin and tissues is minimal. Micro cuts are produced, an arthroscope is inserted into them. On the edge of such a tool is a small camera that allows you to see the internal structure and the way the knee looks. Meniscus, if it is damaged, can be cured. If the external meniscus is injured, then using an arthroscope, small scars are superimposed. This significantly reduces pain, swelling is removed. Initially, this procedure was available only to athletes. Today it is used quite widely.

Advantages of arthroscopy

This method of diagnosis and treatment is characterized by a slight traumatism. The incisions are up to one centimeter in length. Arthroscopy has a small list of contraindications. Basically, it is an inflammation of the joint or the presence of infection. The operation has very high accuracy due to the optics, which is introduced into the joint cavity. Undoubted plus - less than 0.5% of complications. The rehabilitation period is relatively small, after a week it is possible to return to work if it is not associated with strong physical exertion. Athletes fully recover their strength in 2-3 months, so a big break in the career does not have to. In addition, arthroscopy does not leave any cosmetic defects.

Treatment options for the meniscus of the knee joint

There are two treatment options for meniscus damage. Conservative treatment is used if there are no significant gaps. Its main focus is the removal of pain and swelling that have arisen. After this, the joint should be fixed. The doctor may prescribe special special painkillers ("Ketorolac" and its analogs). If there is an inflammatory process, drugs ("Ibuprofen", "Nurofen", etc.) are also needed. In this case, therapeutic gymnastics is shown.

If the knee injury is serious, then you can not do without surgery. One of the obsolete and ineffective methods is arthrotomy. This procedure involves the complete removal of the meniscus. The main negative consequence after such an operation is the occurrence of arthrosis. It is rarely used and the meniscus transplantation due to poor adhesion of the material. The rehabilitation period depends on what kind of manipulation was carried out. If the meniscus was removed, then during the week you will have to use crutches. Stitching the gap increases the time to 4 weeks. It is important not to load the damaged knee joint. The shortest recovery period is after arthroscopy. It is best to conduct rehabilitation activities in the hospital. Massage, therapeutic and prophylactic gymnastics, various hardware procedures help to develop the knee joint.

Timely detection of the problem and the help of a qualified specialist will help keep all the functions of the knee joint and quickly return to normal life.