The menisci of the knee joint perform important functions: they play the role of a shock absorber, take part in the nutrition of hyaline cartilage, and help stabilize the knee joint. There are two menisci: internal (medial) and external (lateral). Both are made up of fibrous cartilage. The meniscus itself is subdivided into three parts: the body, the anterior and posterior horn.. Based on this, meniscus injuries are divided into several types: damage to the body (longitudinal, transverse, horizontal, patchwork, etc.. ), damage to the posterior or anterior horn, as well as paracapsular damage. Meniscus injury is considered the most common type of knee joint pathology, especially in athletes..

The clinical picture of damage to the meniscus distinguishes between acute and chronic periods.. The first occurs immediately after injury and is accompanied by severe knee pain. Because of this, the movement of the knee joint is limited, and sometimes it is blocked - the lower leg is fixed in the flexion position. The acute period is characterized by the appearance of bleeding into the cavity of the knee joint, which leads to swelling of this area, according to Pannochka, an Internet publication for girls and women from 14 to 35 years old.. net However, it happens that doctors do not always diagnose a meniscus injury or take this injury for a bruise or sprain. Conservative treatment of meniscus injury helps to improve the condition of the knee joint, but after a while (with renewed stress, or just with awkward movement), knee malfunction occurs again, pain occurs, synovial fluid accumulates in the joint. Then they talk about chronic pathology.

Diagnosing meniscus damage consists in taking anamnesis, clinical examination and the use of instrumental research methods. Today, the most informative and minimally invasive imaging method is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as well as computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound diagnostics (ultrasound)..

Treatment of damaged menisci can be conservative or operative.. First aid consists of anesthesia and a puncture of the joint to drain accumulated fluid. At the same time, with the help of a plaster latent bandage, immobilization (immobilization) is provided for 3-4 weeks. The patient is prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and after a while - physiotherapy exercises.

In the event that conservative treatment is not able to solve the problem, surgical treatment of the meniscus injury is prescribed..

Today, the most effective in this case is arthroscopic surgery.. This is a closed, minimally invasive method, which involves 2 punctures of 0.5 cm in the knee joint cavity. The arthroscope and the necessary instruments are inserted through them.. Such treatment is low-traumatic and involves a quick recovery of the patient..

After the operation, the patient needs to use a knee brace, the doctor prescribes special exercises that will help restore the knee.

medvesti. com.