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

In the human body there are more than 200 bones that are connected to each other motionless, semi-mobile and mobile. The last connection is called the joint. Among all joints, the knee is constantly exposed to stress, there is a high risk of injury.

The joint is formed by bones, numerous ligaments and formations that serve to depreciate - menisci. Most often, pain in the knee is caused precisely by their pathologies. In people under the age of forty, injuries take the lead, and after 50, degenerative changes in the skeletal system are already affecting. The most serious pathology is rupture of the meniscus of the knee joint, symptoms, treatment will be discussed in the article.

What is a meniscus?

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

1. Lateral. It is located on the outside of the knee, has greater mobility, so it is less likely to be 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 meniscus rupture will be discussed later.

The purpose of the menisci

These cartilage formations perform the following functions:

• contribute to depreciation and reduce the load on the bones of the knee;
• an increase in the contact surface of bones, due to this, the load on them is reduced;
• menisci stabilize the knee;
• they contain receptors that send signals to the brain about the position of the lower extremities.
  

The lateral parts of the meniscus receive blood supply from the capsule, and the body due to 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 maximum blood supply.
2. The intermediate zone receives little nutrition.
3. The white zone is deprived of blood supply from the capsule.

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

Causes of Meniscus Injury

Most often, meniscus rupture can cause:

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

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

Types of meniscus damage

Rupture of the medial meniscus of the knee joint is one of the most common injuries. Most often found among athletes, professional dancers, as well as those who engage in heavy physical labor. Depending on the type of damage, there are:

• vertical gap;
• oblique;
• degenerative rupture, when large-scale destruction of meniscus tissue occurs;
• radial;
• horizontal gap;
• meniscus horns injury.

As a result of trauma, damage to the outer or inner menisci or both can occur.

Symptoms of meniscus rupture

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

1. Traumatic rupture of the meniscus of the knee joint has characteristic symptoms and is acute.
2. Degenerative rupture is characterized by a chronic course, therefore, the symptoms are smoothed out and there are no vivid clinical manifestations.

Acute meniscus injury manifests itself:

1. Sharp and severe pain.
2. Swelling.
3. Impaired joint mobility.

But only a doctor can make a correct diagnosis, because such symptoms can speak of many injuries, for example, a dislocation or a rupture of ligaments. If you do not take any measures, then after a couple of weeks the rupture of the meniscus of the knee joint symptoms, this photo shows, is already secondary, which include:

1. Accumulation of fluid in the joint cavity.
2. The knee is locked in a bent position.
3. The thigh muscles lose their tone.
4. Sometimes in the joint gap you can feel the meniscus.

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

Meniscus tear severity

Given how serious the meniscus injury is, the doctor will prescribe therapy. And the degree of damage is as follows:

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

Establishing diagnosis

If there is a suspicion of a meniscus injury, be sure to consult a doctor. The surgeon after a detailed examination will determine the severity of the injury, its location, but in order to accurately recognize the meniscus rupture, it is necessary to undergo a number of studies:

1. X-ray examination is the easiest way to diagnose. Due to the fact that the menisci are not visible in the picture, the study is carried out using a contrast medium.
2. MRI
3. Arthroscopy allows you to look inside the joint and determine the severity of the damage.

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

Types of Meniscus Injury Therapy

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

1. Conservative therapy.
2. Treatment using folk methods.

If there is an extensive rupture of the meniscus of the knee, treatment without surgery will not help. Competent surgeons cannot do without the help.

Conservative treatment

This type of therapy includes the following actions:

1. The provision of first aid, which is as follows:

• Providing complete rest.
• Using a cold compress.
• The use of painkillers.
• If fluid accumulates, you will have to resort to a puncture.
• Gypsum dressing, although some doctors find this inappropriate.

2. Compliance with bed rest.

3. Plaster cast is applied for a period of at least 2-3 weeks.

4. Remove blockade of the knee joint.

5. Application in the treatment of physiotherapeutic methods and therapeutic exercises.

6. Inflammation and pain are relieved with the help of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: “Diclofenk”, “Ibuprofen”, “Meloxicam”.

7. Chondroprotectors: "Glucosamine", "Chondratin sulfate" help the speedy restoration of cartilage tissue.

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

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

Surgical intervention

If a rupture of the meniscus of the knee joint is obtained , some symptoms may become an indication for surgery:

• meniscus tissue crushed;
• the meniscus has shifted or torn apart;
• the presence of blood in the joint cavity;
• no treatment results.

Surgical intervention can be carried out by several methods:

1. If the rupture of the meniscus of the knee joint shows acute symptoms due to the almost complete decomposition of the cartilage, then 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. Restore the meniscus. Surgeons usually undertake such a manipulation when they perform an operation on young people, and then under certain conditions:

• longitudinal rupture;
• peripheral rupture;
• if the meniscus comes off the capsule;
• peripheral rupture with displacement;
• in the absence of degenerative changes.

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

3. The arthroscopic method is less traumatic and modern. With this intervention, minimal disruption of neighboring tissues occurs. For sewing meniscus use special needles, the seam is strong.

4. Use of special clamps for fastening the meniscus. This method allows the operation to be performed without additional incisions and devices. For this method, second-generation fixatives are used, which quickly resolve and reduce the risk of complications.

5. Meniscus transplantation is performed when it is already impossible to do anything. For this method, there are also contraindications:

• degenerative changes;
• elderly age;
• somatic diseases;
• knee instability.

Which method of surgical intervention to prefer is decided in each case by a doctor.

Rehabilitation after surgery

It is not only important to correctly conduct the operation, but success will depend on the recovery period. After the operation, it is important to adhere to some recommendations:

1. Perform special exercises under the guidance of an experienced mentor that will help develop the joint.
2. Chondroprotectors, anti-inflammatory drugs are required.
3. Physiotherapy and massage will be of great help in the restoration.
4. No physical exertion for at least six months, and preferably all 12 months.

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

Alternative methods of treatment

If the meniscus rupture of the knee joint is not so acute, symptoms, treatment with folk remedies along with conservative methods of therapy may well provide effective help. Here is a list of the most popular recipes:

1. In the first hours and days after receiving an injury, apply ice to a sore spot.
2. Necessarily complete rest and the leg should be located above the level of the heart.
3. You can use a warming compress with honey, it will not only remove the inflammatory process, but also relieve pain. You can cook it this way: combine the same amount of alcohol and honey, mix well, moisten a napkin and apply to a sore spot. Wrap a warm scarf on top and hold for several hours.
4. Grind a fresh onion with a blender, mix the gruel with 1 teaspoon of sugar and attach to a damaged knee on a napkin. Wrap on top with plastic wrap and secure. In this condition, leave overnight. Such manipulation must be done every day, if the meniscus is not displaced, then it must recover.
5. Burdock can also help if chopped and applied to a sore spot. Secure with a bandage and hold for 3 hours, then change.

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

The consequences of meniscus damage

If a meniscus ruptures, then such an injury is considered quite serious. Most often, joint pathologies do not go unnoticed, even with appropriate treatment. If a meniscus rupture of the knee joint has been diagnosed, the consequences may be as follows:

1. Repeated break. This is quite common even after surgery. That is why, after the rehabilitation period, you still have to take care of your knees, it is necessary to limit active sports.
2. The formation of hematomas. They may remain after surgery and cause pain. Such consequences need urgent elimination, the patient will have to undergo a long rehabilitation period and complex drug treatment.
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, this does not guarantee the absence of problems in the future, therefore, it is periodically necessary to visit a doctor for an 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, you must inform the doctor.
5. The discomfort after discharge from the hospital remains for some time, but it becomes less and less as you take the medicine. But if it does not subside, but becomes more intense, then this may indicate that a complication develops in the form of hemorrhage in the joint or purulent inflammatory process. In such situations, you can’t do without the help of a doctor.

How to prevent meniscus injury?

Anyone can get such an injury, but it is better to prevent meniscus rupture or reduce its likelihood. For this, knee joint training is perfect. But this does not mean the use of heavy loads, it is enough to ride a bicycle regularly, take walks, run so that the meniscus strengthens, then the probability of a gap will be minimal.

We examined how the meniscus rupture of the knee joint shows symptoms, which methods of therapy are used, but it is better not to allow such injuries. Take care of yourself and your health.