The meniscus of the knee. What is it, photo, break, damage, symptoms of illness, injury, inflammation. Treatment, surgery, removal of consequences

A torn meniscus of the knee joint is familiar to many athletes and people of physical labor. This is the damage to the joint, which is not uncommon when an excessive load on the knee or in the destruction of cartilage.

What is the meniscus of the knee?

Knee meniscus cartilage serves as a kind of seal and performs damper function alternately opening and closing during the motion of the knee.

The joint cartilage has a 2:

1. Lateral. It is considered the outer, quite agile and flexible. Injured less frequently.
2. Medial. Located within, secured to the lateral ligament, less mobile than the lateral. This leads to more frequent breaks and stretching the body.

Where is the meniscus of the knee?

The knee joint is one of the most complex machines in the human body movement. It connects the femur, tibia and patella. Inside the joint plate has a forming chamber 2 equal and delimiting the femoral and tibial bone.

The meniscus of the knee - it is education that is these cartilaginous plates.

Causes damage to the menisci

There are 2 main reasons of damage (break) knee cartilage plates:

1. Injury. It occurs most often in young people and athletes. There are small cracks, it can completely tear or lose their part.
2. Changes in cartilage tissue for a number of reasons. It occurs most often in older people or athletes, which overload the knee joint due to improper methods of training, since a lack of physiotherapy, massage, etc.

In young children, damage to the menisci - extremely rare. They arise from the complex and severe knee injuries, most often in a complex injury of the lower extremities.

traumatic rupture

Traumatic rupture of the meniscus can be accompanied by damage to other parts of the knee joint with the formation of hematoma and effusion.

The causes of traumatic injury:

• dislocation of the knee;
• cross-country running (uneven surface);
• a sharp reversal feet;
• rise from his squatting position with the load.

In some cases, these injuries is carried out only to damage, but not to a complete rupture. From the plate "break off" pieces that block the joint and prevent a full-fledged walking.

For a meniscus tear, a combination of three factors:

1. The joint at the time of the injury is a support;
2. Joint movement exercises or counter-clockwise;
3. The joint is located in the fold position.

Usually with traumatic rupture of the person feels pain, joint completely or partially blocked, you can not move. But in rare cases, the victim feels only a little pain without swelling and joint blockade.

degenerative gap

Degenerate meniscus damage - a gap due to a variety of microtraumas, destruction of cartilage. Normally it is seen in people after 45 years.

Causes:

1. Changes in the joints associated with professional activity, Excessive exercise, exercise for many years.
2. Rheumatism. "The starting point" of the disease becomes severe infection in young people, or age-related changes in the joint in the elderly. Because cartilage tissue disease lose strength and elasticity, occur at any load microcracks gradually lead to a complete break.
3. Gout. In the tissues of the knee crystals begin to accumulate lactic acid. They destroy collagen and provoke inflammatory lesions in the meniscus.

Symptoms of damage or breaking of the meniscus

Symptoms after trauma of the meniscus can be divided into acute and chronic. In the acute period of a person feels a strong sharp pain, knee begins to swell. When you break the meniscus difficult to bend and straighten the knee - detached segment interferes with the operation of the joint. Next, the damaged segment is moved between the joint and prevents movement gradually completely block it.

when damaged pain has a different character. It does not interfere with the movement of a bruise or a small piece of cartilage separation, the foot may hurt only when climbing stairs. When the meniscus crushing or separating most of the body the pain is not being stepped on the foot and move in principle.

The symptoms which arise in chronic phase (after a few hours or days after injury):

1. Violation of the walk, especially when lifting.
2. "Snaps" the joint in flexion.
3. Above the knee can be formed hemarthrosis - bleeding into the joint cavity.
4. knee tissue increased in volume.
5. Because of the inflammation surrounding muscle temperature rises.

symptom Baykova

This method of research used in heavy knee injury. It helps to diagnose a complete rupture of the meniscus. The doctor asks the patient to bend the leg at an angle of ninety degrees, then palpate the knee and slowly unbend it. Severe pain - signal discontinuity cartilage plate.

symptom Steinmann

This technique helps to know which of the meniscus is damaged: the lateral or medial. To do this in the same position as the knee at right angles to the doctor asks the patient to rotate the leg around its axis. If the pain appears when you turn inward - the medial meniscus is, if you turn out - lateral.

symptom Polyakova

The patient must lie on his back. Then he gently lifts the healthy leg to its maximum height and transfers weight to the heel of the blade and damaged legs (for this it is necessary to lift the head and neck). If the meniscus is damaged, there is pain in the knee.

Landau symptom

In cases of serious damage to the knee joint implementation of this method is not allowed. A person needs to sit on the floor or other hard surface, cross my legs and tuck them under. The absence of pain indicates a healthy meniscus.

symptom Perelman

It has several diagnostic options. When the first detected "ascending stairs" syndrome. A person with a break and damage of meniscus painful to endure the weight with healthy feet on the patient during exercise, so taking the stairs is accompanied by unpleasant sensations.

The second option - the syndrome of "rubbers". The doctor asks the person to put on shoes without using their hands. If the rotation of the legs bring inconvenience and discomfort - a sign of joint disease.

Symptom Mc Murray

The patient must lie on his back and turn his knees and pressed them to his chest. In diseases meniscus characteristic audible crackle, painful sensations.

Symptom "blockade" of the knee joint

Such a diagnosis can only be used in the chronic phase of the disease. human knee is bent at an angle of 120 degrees. You must rotate the knees around its axis. If this does not work, then a piece of cartilage from the meniscus prevents the full movement of the joint.

Diagnosis of meniscus injuries

The meniscus of the knee joint - is a body that is not visible on x-ray. Unlike other injuries, at break shot is useless - just a plate of cartilage will not be visible.

Diagnostic Methods

1. US.
2. CT scan.
3. Magnetic resonance imaging.

Ultrasonography

US - informative enough, but at the same time inexpensive way to study the knee. It does not require additional training (before the diagnosis of a few days can not give injections into the joint). During the study, you need to bend your knees.

Ultrasound to help diagnose:

• full and partial rupture of the meniscus;
• occurrence of cysts on the cartilage;
• separation of the meniscus from the point of attachment;
• Degenerative changes of the cartilage.

CT scan

CT scan. It is recommended only as an additional method of research. As the main - insufficiently informative.

Magnetic resonance imaging

MRT refers to the most informative method of investigation. With its help it is possible to see not only the state of the meniscus, but the degree of damage, the localization of foci of inflammation. This can be achieved by examining the shape of the cartilage.

MRI physician can determine the extent of damage 3:

1 degree - the focus of inflammation (lesions) located in the tissues of the meniscus, but does not reach the surface.

2 degree - casting a thicker cartilage signal having intense, but not reaching the surface of the meniscus. A sign of degenerative lesions, requires observation.

Grade 3 - signal is observed on the surface of the cartilage requires treatment and monitoring. When subdegrees and the signal is recorded on the surface of only one side, with subdegrees b - on both. 3 is diagnosed degree true break the meniscus.

First aid in cases of suspected damage to the meniscus

Necessary to immobilize the joint at occurrence of the first signs of injury to the knee meniscus. Quite dangerous in this situation, straighten or bend the injured knee - it inflicts an even greater injury. For fixing use langetku or special splint for the knee.

In the first minutes after the injury it is necessary to apply something cold to the injured knee. This may be ice or frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel, ice water bottle, chilled metal objects. At the pharmacy you can buy a special package with a cooling liquid.

Applying cold object to reduce the speed of the inflammatory response and narrow blood vessels. It is the prevention of the formation of a hematoma. Well chilled items "dull" pain by blocking nerve endings. Keep cold compress of 10 minutes but no more than half an hour.

Moderate pain in the knee will help to remove the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs character:

• diclofenac;
• naproxen;
• Ketoprofen, and others.

The decrease in the inflammatory focus helps to reduce the unpleasant sensation of pain. But no longer allowed to take 1 tablet 3 times a day.

When severe pain that can not be removed anti-inflammatory pills, painkillers appointed promedolom injection. The medicine blocks the transmission of pain impulses from the brain and spinal cord to the damaged area. Promedolum appointed by the presence of other joint injuries and leg.

If the knee sharply beginning to swell, the foot must be raised and fixed above the heart level.

The treatment of meniscus injuries

Treatment of patients with knee can begin only after the diagnosis based on ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging.

Treatment includes:

1. The elimination of the blockade. It is performed under anesthesia: the joint injected Promedol ledokain and, before that, "pumping the" blood and effusion. Then the doctor performs the manipulation for the return of the full joint mobility.
2. Surgical intervention. It is used in cases of severe damage to the meniscus. During surgery, the cartilage is reduced or removed.
3. Physiotherapy. After surgery, it is required - the procedures to help improve the condition of the joint, accelerate healing and a return to full-fledged movement.
4. Massotherapy. The first effect of massage is aimed at maintaining elasticity and tone the muscles surrounding the knee. When you break the meniscus adjacent muscles may deform and break away from the joint. Massage includes active and passive stroking, twisting muscles, and trituration of the knee.
5. Physiotherapy. After surgery to physical therapy resort within 1-1.5 weeks. It helps to avoid stagnation of blood in the lower extremities, and muscle atrophy. Therapeutic exercises conducted both with the use of special exercise machines and equipment, and without it.
6. Medications.
7. Traditional medicine (with a slight meniscus damage).

medication

The meniscus of the knee joint - is a cartilage, which in the case of small lesions or cracks can be restored drugs.

The basis of any medical treatment of meniscus damage are hondroprotektory. They are written and degenerative cartilage injury knee and trauma, and recovery after the operation.

Chondroprotectors the treatment of meniscus:

1. Glucosamine. The drug is an analog of natural substance that produces a human body. It is responsible for the metabolic rate and synthesizing the hyaluronic acid. Glucosamine is indicated for the prevention of the destruction of the meniscus, it stops the formation of substances that destroy cartilage.
2. chondroitin. Involved in the synthesis of cartilage. It is recommended for the prevention of the destruction of cartilage. Improves blood circulation in the area of ​​the meniscus, it helps to reduce pain, swelling and inflammation.
3. rumalon. The drug of natural origin (extract from bone and cartilage of young cloven-hoofed animals). It stimulates the regeneration of cartilage of the knee, including the meniscus. It is used in the form of deep injection.

Physiotherapy

Reducing fizioprotsedury starting one week after surgery. If the seams are not removed, the knee is wrapped with a bandage.

Procedure	technique	Using
Therapy UHF-rays	The procedure removes swelling, thereby reducing pain, reducing inflammation and stops. Effect can be achieved by increasing the lymph and blood flow in the affected joint.	The procedure is performed 1 time per day for 8 to 15 minutes. The course of treatment - 10 procedures.
Exposure to the magnetic field	It improves blood circulation. Stimulates healing and cartilage regeneration. The procedure is useful in degenerative changes and the cracks in the meniscus.	The procedure is carried out for about 15 minutes. the time of treatment - 2 weeks.
electrophoresis	It is a procedure that replaces the drug injection and anesthetic drugs. Under the current exposure, the drug enters even into the deep tissue of the joint.	The procedure is performed every day for 15-20 minutes. The number of procedures depends on the strength of pain.
Pieloterapiya	The leg of the patient is immersed in a curative mud or making compresses. This reduces inflammation and promotes healing of cartilage, stimulates local immune processes.	The procedure is performed 3-4 times a week for a month. Time of 20-10 minutes.

Meniscus Treatment folk remedies

Using folk remedies is allowed provided the integrity of the meniscus. If he moves, or is torn, surgery is necessary.

honey wrap

2 glasses of vodka must be mixed with the same amount of fresh liquid honey.In a few minutes the liquid is soaked linen natural fabric and wrapped around the injured knee. Top compress stronger cling film and thick material (e.g., wool scarf). Compress fastened to 1.5 - 2 hours daily.

Poultice of burdock

Fresh leaves of a large burdock lightly warming up in the hands and to the joint primatyvaetsya 4 hours. If the fresh plant is not possible to use a paste of dried leaves. For this purpose they triturated and mixed with hot water to a thick porridge.

Means liberally lubricate the knee and is wrapped with several layers of bandage. Compress is best done at night - wearing it takes at least 8 hours.

onion dressing

2 medium onion rubbed on a fine grater or ground to a pulp in a blender.Lukovaya mass is mixed with a spoon of sugar. The knee is wrapped in several layers of the bandage is then applied onion-sugar mixture. The bandage should be left for the night.

garlic tincture

It is recommended for pain in the knees to sportsmen and people with high physical activity. 2 medium heads of garlic passed through a masher and pour 2 cups of cider vinegar. The mixture was infused for a week. The resulting liquid must be rubbing his knee several times a day until the pain will not completely.

Surgery to remove the meniscus of the knee joint

The meniscus of the knee - it is education, without which the joint can be operated virtually in full. Therefore, it is removed when required.

Surgery to remove the meniscus should be carried out as soon as possible after the injury. Procrastination may cause the beginning of joint destruction.

Surgical intervention is necessary:

• if blockade statute doctor can not eliminate the conventional method;
• cartilage is torn or completely from it opens a large piece;
• If the meniscus is completely razmozzhon;
• when several repeated joint blockades;
• when hemarthrosis.

Removal of the meniscus is held by meniscectomy. This allows you to remove cartilage in whole or in part. Surgery of this type is mandatory for people over 45 years. Young people and those with traumatic injury, trying to preserve the meniscus.

If necessary, the meniscus can be restored or replaced transplantatnom. The operation is quite expensive, it is carried to people under the age of 40 and only in case of traumatic rupture of the meniscus.

Price meniscus surgery

Prices operations differ depending on the method and depth of intervention in the joint:

1. Removal of the meniscus arthroscopic equipment. From 20,000 rubles, on average - 35.000 rubles.
2. Restoration of arthroscopic meniscal suture. From 30,000 rubles, on average - 70.000 rubles.
3. Therapeutic arthroscopy. From 13,000 rubles, on average - 25.000 rubles.
4. Removal of the meniscus artoskopicheskim equipment. From 25,000 rubles, on average - 36.000 rubles.

Projections and consequences

Already a few days after the operation the patient is directed to restoring the gym. It is permitted in the absence of hematoma in the joint or above, and other complications. Stand on the foot can be in the first days, but only if accompanied by spikes (1-3 day) and canes (4-7 day). If the meniscus is restored, this period is extended by 1-1.5 months.

Professional athletes are allowed to return to training no earlier than a month after the surgery. To begin recovery, we recommend swimming with no load on the legs, then exercise bike and a gradual return to normal fiznagruzki.

With proper first aid and timely treatment of the possibility of full recovery of the knee joint movement is very high. Modern surgery allowed to return to normal life and exercise even in severe joint damage.

Modern medicine makes it possible to eliminate any injury to the meniscus of the knee. Unfortunately, a knee injury - it is not uncommon on the background of high physical activity.

Registration of the article: Vladimir the Great

Videos about the restoration of the meniscus after the break

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