The meniscus is the cartilaginous plate of the knee joint. It is thanks to him that shock absorption during movements and knee stability are ensured. However, with injuries, the more often recurring, the development of a knee joint meniscitis is possible. According to statistics, this is the most common pathology associated with the knee joint, and it is observed in 77% of patients who consulted a doctor after injuries.
Causes
After a knee injury, there is a huge risk of developing meniscitis. The cause may also be sprain or pinching. Rarely enough, but still there is a congenital deformity of the lower extremities, which is corrected exclusively by surgery. Also, the cause of the development of pathology can be flat feet or even an uncomfortable posture, for example, bent knees or squatting. At risk are also people whose work is associated with constant vibration.
Meniscitis of the knee often appears in people who engage in outdoor sports, it can be figure skating, cycling, ballet, football or basketball. The disease can appear against a background of chronic trauma, that is, due to the impact of a constant traumatic factor on the meniscus. As a result, erosion and microcracks appear, which subsequently provoke the onset of the inflammatory process leading to meniscitis.
Autoimmune processes are in third place among the causes of the development of pathology. It can be rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, other pathologies of the immune system.
Pathology development
There are two types of meniscus damage:
- Straight. This is a fairly rare version of the injury that can be received in a car accident or with a cut, chopped wound.
- Indirect. In this case, there is no blow directly to the meniscus, and the injury is a consequence of damage to the lower extremities.
The disease is a blockade of the joint. If the meniscus is only clamped, then a large amount of joint fluid is immediately formed, which, once in the cavity, presses on the displaced tissue of the joint, and as a result, the meniscus can snap into place. If this does not happen, then the pathology develops into a chronic form. Things are even worse when, in addition to pinching, part of the cartilage tissue breaks off.
Lack of treatment can lead to degenerative and dystrophic processes. In the future, the cartilage is completely lost its elasticity, cysts appear on it. There may be a tendency to run.
Varieties
Meniscitis of the internal meniscus of the knee joint is very common in comparison with the pathology of the external. According to statistics, it occurs 10 times more often. In this case, the patient has a significant swelling in the knee. When pressing on the joint space, severe pains are felt, as when walking. With a diagnosis of "meniscitis of the medial meniscus of the knee joint", surgery is likely to be recommended. In very rare cases, only immobilization and conservative therapy can be dispensed with.
Symptoms
The symptomatology of the knee joint meniscitis is very similar to other diseases of the knees, however, this pathology still has specific signs that give reason to suspect the disease:
- pain on the sides of the knee gap;
- increased pain when walking for a long time or when descending stairs;
- swelling of the knee;
- pains are periodic, not constant.
In the area of the periarticular fissure, a seal appears, which is painful to press. In the acute stage of the disease, swelling in the knee, redness may appear. If the cartilaginous tissue is completely disturbed, then the sick person cannot even lean on his leg and walk. In some individuals, an increase in body temperature is observed.
It is important to know if pain is observed simultaneously in both knees, then the most likely cause of development is an autoimmune pathology. Even frequent sore throats can cause meniscitis, since this disease gives complications not only to the heart, but also to large joints. In some patients, a symptom such as a patella ballot is observed. It is characterized by a knock when fixing the joint.
Diagnostic measures
When making a diagnosis of “knee joint meniscitis” (referred to section S83 “Meniscus rupture fresh” according to ICD-10), in addition to taking an anamnesis and palpation, the doctor directs the patient to an x-ray to determine the size of the gap and the condition of the surrounding tissues. It is very important to clarify whether the patient has relatives with chronic diseases, in particular arthritis. To determine if there are hematomas, in what condition the meniscus may require an ultrasound or arthroscopy. In a number of cases with outpatient treatment, an MRI of the knee joint, OAI, and ECG may be recommended.
Therapy
Treatment of knee joint meniscitis involves an integrated approach. First, the cause of the disease is eliminated, that is, the treatment of bruising or pinching, sprain, and so on. And only after that the further treatment tactics are determined. This can be fixation of the joint with gypsum or a splint, drug therapy, physiotherapy, exercise therapy and massage. In extreme cases, a surgical operation is performed.
After an injury, the victim should be rested and any possible knee loads removed. It is better to put a leg higher, on a pillow or roller. Ice can be applied to the bruise to relieve pain, apply an elastic bandage to the joint and consult a doctor.
Drug treatment
In this case, in the treatment of knee joint meniscitis, drugs are used to remove the inflammatory process and accelerate healing. Today, hormones, non-steroidal agents, chondroprotectors and vitamins are used. With severe pain, an injection with drugs can be injected into the sore joint. It can be Diprospan or Novocain. If a plaster cast was used in the treatment, then after removing it, anti-inflammatory ointments, for example, Diklak, are recommended.
Physiotherapy
Therapeutic measures for meniscitis of the knee joint (code according to ICD-10 - S83.2, is in class XIX "Injuries, poisoning and some other consequences of external causes") suggest the use of physiotherapeutic procedures. Some procedures are allowed even during the period of immobilization. Most often, electrophoresis, UHF therapy, laser procedures, and magnetotherapy are prescribed. All these procedures are aimed at the speedy recovery of a person after an injury.
Massage and exercise therapy
After the period of immobilization has ended and the bandage has been removed, a massage is carried out aimed at developing the joint and improving blood circulation. Gradually, exercises for the lower extremities are introduced, which become more complicated over time, weighting is added. Perhaps treatment on special simulators.
Surgical treatment
In the case of a severe form (separation or rupture) of the knee joint meniscitis, and when degenerative processes have already begun, surgery can not be dispensed with. To date, they often resort to mini-invasive intervention and undergo arthroscopic surgery. During the operation, resection or complete removal of the damaged meniscus and the establishment of an artificial plate are performed.
Rehabilitation
Meniscitis of the knee joint (according to ICD-10 is recorded in the section "Injuries to the knee and lower leg" under the number S83.2) is a rather complicated pathology, and the recovery process can drag on for 6 months. The rehabilitation process consists of physiotherapy, massage and physiotherapy. Rehabilitation is best done in a sanatorium or special center. Massage in this case is used as a substitute for painkillers. It should also be remembered that after treatment, a person will have to pay more attention to his health, since such people are at risk of developing arthritis. Additionally, it may be recommended to fix the knee joint. It can be a soft knee pad or an elastic bandage.
Possible complications
If the injury is not healed, then there is a huge risk, for example, against the background of a meniscitis of the left knee joint, the appearance of a cyst. Most often, such a growth appears on the back wall of the knee, fluid collects inside the cyst itself. Although the growth may appear on the edge or inside the meniscus. Under any circumstances, the cyst increases the likelihood of rupture several times. At risk for the appearance of a cyst are people with rheumatism and osteoporosis, as well as those who have a physiological predisposition to this pathology. In the future, after the development of the cyst, arthrosis appears, which inevitably leads to deformation of the joints as a whole.
Chronic form of pathology
If for some reason there was no treatment, then the meniscitis can take a chronic form. Most often in such cases, cartilage is deposited in the knee. The chronic form may appear against the background of repeated injuries, constant uncomfortable position, work on some machines or stretching. In women, the so-called valgus position of the knee may develop. In such cases, pain is disturbed periodically and may worsen after a long walk or with severe bending of the knee. In some patients, a roller or thickening in the joint space is observed.
Alternative methods of treatment
In the presence of a meniscitis of the right knee joint or left and overweight, it will be necessary to lose weight. Due to overweight, an additional load is placed on the joints, both on the knees and on other parts of the body.
After consulting a doctor, you can use folk remedies:
- One of the effective methods is tincture from the roots of elecampane, from which they make a compress for the night. To prepare the tincture, you will need 50 grams of elecampane and 125 grams of vodka. The ingredients are mixed and infused in a dark place for 14 days. In addition to compresses, tincture can be used for grinding.
- Also at night you can do a warming lotion. To do this, you need 5-6 tablespoons of oatmeal, which are brewed in boiling water, slightly cooled. Then the brewed flakes are spread on a cotton cloth and applied to a sore spot. The compress can be fixed on top with polyethylene.
- For compresses, you can use medical bile. It is melted and applied for two hours to the area of the diseased joint. The procedure should be done for 10 days without a break. Then take a 5-day break and try again.
- You can make a compress of honey and alcohol. The procedure should be carried out for 2 months.
- It is recommended to take baths with medicinal herbs. For this, a decoction of straw is suitable. 6 grams of water will require 250 grams of straw, which is boiled for 40 minutes. After the broth is filtered and added to the bath.
- For taking baths, primrose grass is suitable. For 4 liters of water, 300 grams of a plant will be required, which is boiled for 20 minutes. Then the broth is filtered and added to the bath.
But it should be remembered that folk remedies will only help if knee injuries were not serious.