A meniscus is called an elastic pad, resembling a crescent in shape, and similar in structure to a tendon, which serves as a buffer between the lower leg and thigh. Given the importance of its function in the body, meniscus damage is a serious injury.
In addition to depreciation, this part of the skeleton plays another significant role in the work of the knee joint - together with ligaments and a capsule, it maintains its stability. Damage to the meniscus with various injuries (sports, domestic, transport, etc.) occurs quite often. Its rupture can also occur against the background of age-related (degenerative) changes in the bones. At times, even unsuccessful squats can be traumatic.
Types and forms
One or both menisci (both internal and external) can be damaged, both in isolation and simultaneously with other structures of the joint (ligaments, articular cartilage, capsule, fatty body). Similar injuries can be of various forms and types.
The damaged or torn part of the meniscus almost never grows on its own, over time, its tissue becomes densified and inelastic. This is because the structure of this cartilage lining has specific features: most of the tissue has no vessels and is simply not able to regenerate.
Torn
the meniscus experiences heavy loads when moving, so its gap continues to widen. The damaged part loses its function, gradually turning into something foreign. This rejected body is displaced into the joint cavity and restrained between the lower leg and thigh. In this case, the destruction of the articular cartilage occurs, which is accompanied by acute pain.
Meniscus rupture, treatment
In acute injury, there is an option for performing a meniscus suture in the blood supply or paracapsular zone. Such a surgical operation is performed if the rupture is longitudinal, while the limitation of the injury is no more than 10 days. After the operation, it is necessary to observe a strict regimen: up to 8 weeks walking is shown only with support on crutches and up to six months - limiting the loads on the leg.
Meniscus arthroscopy allows you to perform an operation without opening the joint in case of trauma or pathological changes. The special micro-tool that is used in this procedure increases the efficiency of the operation, making it less traumatic while maintaining the integrity of healthy tissues.
Meniscus damage in young people, when there are no age-related changes in the bones that form the joint and articular cartilage, can be repaired by transplantation of a donor organ. At the same time, it is implanted and fixed to the capsule of the joint and tibia. This procedure can be performed using arthroscopic techniques. An experienced surgeon using modern surgical equipment can completely eliminate the negative consequences of an injury in the shortest possible time.
The results of the operations that are currently obtained indicate the promise and high efficiency of this method of getting rid of such a problem as meniscus damage, and reliable prevention of the development of knee arthrosis in the future.