Contents
In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
The meniscus is located in the knee joint, between the femur and tibia. Made of fibrous cartilage, it is responsible for mobility in the joint. Meniscus injuries are quite common injuries. Some of them require rehabilitation, others, more serious, surgery. A person who has experienced a meniscus injury should see a doctor quickly. Injuries are painful and should not be taken lightly. They can happen to anyone, not only people who play sports. Current treatment methods allow the meniscus to be rebuilt quickly.
How is the meniscus built?
Meniscus it is made of cartilage tissue. It consists largely of connective tissue fibers, thanks to which it has high torsional and tensile strength. Top surface meniscus it is concave, while the lower one is more flattened. Due to the fact that they are smooth, the bones that are part of the joint can move freely and without much resistance. The ability to move also increases the presence of an appropriate amount of synovial fluid. The essential fact is that meniscus it is attached only to the lateral and medial surface of the inner joint capsule. Therefore, it can move quite freely within this bag and isolate large bones from each other. Thanks to the special structure meniscus is able to carry very heavy loads that arise during various physical activities.
The meniscus is prone to injuries that hinder proper functioning and can cause pain. Cooling gels offered by the Polar Frost brand will help to alleviate unpleasant symptoms. You can buy the products today at Medonet Market.
Rehabilitation of a damaged meniscus
In the case of meniscus injury rehabilitation is necessary. The knee joint must be activated as quickly as possible. The exercises are performed initially without load. Then, the injured person is supported by machines or uses the help of a physiotherapist. When the meniscus is only overloaded, physical therapy consisting of laser treatments, cryotherapy or magnetic field treatment is necessary. This method can only help with minor injuries or minor tears meniscus. This cartilage has the ability to regenerate spontaneously. However, it depends on the condition of the injury. The doctor always decides about treatment. Supplement rehabilitation individually selected treatments have a positive effect on the course of treatment. They reduce the likelihood of another injury and keep the knee stable. In addition, thanks to the procedures performed, inflammatory changes occurring in the joint disappear faster.
Surgical treatment of the meniscus
When it gets serious meniscus injuryoperation is necessary. Depending on the type of injury, there are many forms of treatment. The most frequently performed operations include meniscectomy (removal of the damaged fragment meniscus), suturing, grafting or denture insertion meniscus. Removal of a piece meniscus, called meniscectomy, in most cases it allows you to return to an active lifestyle and play sports. In the case of complete meniscectomy (complete removal meniscus) resuming sports activities may be risky. Patients often experience pain in the future. The likelihood of degenerative changes also increases. Injuries located within the joint capsule are sutured. After the surgery, the knee joint regains its former functions and becomes functional again. Grafts or dentures are used when the damaged ones are completely removedj meniscus. Prostheses are usually made of collagen and fibrin, which allows them to be adapted to the body. When an graft is required, it can be harvested from the donor or from the patellar and quadriceps tendons. Often after surgery meniscus synovial fluid requires replenishment. In such a situation, preparations are administered directly into the knee joint capsule.
Disregard for a damaged meniscus
Meniscus injuries they are quite common, regardless of the level of physical activity in our lives. The diagnosis of damage meniscus it is not difficult. Symptoms begin suddenly as pain in the knee joint. The pain center is located on the side or middle of the knee, and it worsens with activity or immediately after exertion. The injured person has difficulty moving and straightening the knee. After a few hours, too much fluid collects in the joint, which causes swelling. Patients also often complain about the accompanying feeling of “skipping the knee” or the feeling of blocking it. Symptoms such should not be taken lightly. It is necessary to visit a doctor who is able to realistically assess the size of the injury and recommend treatment. By manipulating the knee, the orthopedic surgeon investigates what causes such ailments and whether it is related to meniscus. However, sometimes it is necessary to perform an MRI that will accurately determine the cause of the pain.