In modern medical practice, doctors often have to diagnose meniscus inflammation. And with this problem, they are addressed not only by professional ballerinas or athletes, but also ordinary people. After reading today's article, you will learn why this disease occurs and how to treat it.
What is a meniscus?
This term refers to a crescent-shaped cartilage in the knee joint that has the shape of a crescent. It is located between the thigh and lower leg and acts as a shock absorber. This fibrous cartilaginous formation not only softens 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 shape 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
Doctors distinguish several main factors that can provoke the onset of the inflammatory process. Most often, the problem arises as a result of impaired blood flow in the cartilage, causing pathological changes in them.
Often, meniscus inflammation occurs as a result of constant loads on the knee. This may be due not only to heavy physical labor and the presence of excess weight.
Another reason for the development of the disease is considered to be damage to the entire segment of the cartilage or the front meniscus horn received with careless movements or injuries. Also, an impetus for the development of the inflammatory process can be activity associated with prolonged walking, a direct blow to the knee or a fall on straightened limbs when jumping in height or length.
The risk group includes professional athletes, people whose labor activity is associated with constant physical activity, and those who are obese. Meniscus inflammation often develops in patients who have previously been diagnosed with rheumatism, gout, arthrosis, or another serious disease of the musculo-articular apparatus.
Symptoms
Inflammation of the knee meniscus is a fairly serious disease. With 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 figure out by what signs this ailment is recognized.
By the nature of the inflammatory process, an acute, subacute and chronic form is distinguished. The course of the disease greatly affects the severity of the clinical picture. One of the most characteristic signs is a sharp pain in the knee, aggravated by physical exertion. Depending on the extent of the lesion, the patient may have limited mobility of the joint. In some especially advanced cases, redness, swelling and a local increase in temperature in the knee area are observed.
Diagnostic Methods
It should be remembered that a sharp pain in the knee should be a reason for visiting a doctor. The specialist will prescribe a series of studies to establish an accurate diagnosis, and the correct treatment. As a rule, magnetic resonance imaging, radiography and ultrasound are used for these purposes. Only after a full examination will the doctor be able to make the correct diagnosis and rule out other health problems.
Despite the fact that the x-ray does not allow to fully assess the condition of the knee joint, with the help of a picture you can remove the suspicion of a more serious pathology.
Meniscus Inflammation: Treatment
In the process of selecting therapy, it is necessary to take into account the causes of the disease, the severity of symptoms and the nature of the course. In addition, it is important to have an accurate idea of what condition the cartilage of a particular patient is in and how much inflammation has affected other intraarticular elements.
To date, surgical and conservative treatment is effectively used. In some cases, the patient is recommended both types of therapy. With timely medical attention, damage to the medial meniscus of the knee joint, the treatment of which is reduced to taking medication, passes very quickly. In such cases, the patient is recommended anti-inflammatory ointments and tablets.
Folk methods
Meniscus inflammation is successfully treated not only with medication. Folk remedies are often used to relieve pain. To enhance the effect, it is desirable to carry out such therapy in parallel with traditional methods and only after prior consultation with a doctor.
Coniferous baths proved to be quite good. They have an anti-inflammatory effect, relieve muscle tone and improve blood circulation. It is advisable to do such procedures every other day, before going to bed. For this, a pound of chopped needles is poured with two liters of boiling water and kept in a water bath for half an hour.
A honey compress on the knee relieves inflammation well. To prepare it, you will need an equal amount of honey and alcohol. These components are mixed in one dish and heated to 37 degrees. The resulting warm mass is applied to the sore spot, wrapped in a natural woolen cloth and left for two hours. Repeat this procedure, preferably twice a day for thirty days.
An effective folk remedy is an onion compress on the knee. It can be done at night. For this, a slurry made from a tablespoon of sugar and two chopped bulbs is applied to the sore spot.
Prevention
To date, doctors do not know any way to prevent injury. Therefore, they give only general recommendations. In order to prevent meniscus inflammation, maximum caution is required during jogging and jumping. It is undesirable for girls to often wear platform shoes or high heels.
Professional athletes are advised to protect their knees with special fixing bandages. This will significantly reduce the risk of injury during the competition or training.
In addition, there is a special set of exercises aimed at strengthening the quadriceps muscle, which stabilizes the joint while walking. As a result, there is a significant reduction in the risk of meniscus injury. Do not forget that the strength of muscles and joints also depends on how well and balanced a person eats.