If a person is diagnosed with a meniscus rupture, you should seek medical help as soon as possible. When the victim can not walk on his own, an ambulance is called to him. Timely diagnosis and correct treatment will help to avoid dangerous complications of trauma.
A break in the meniscus - what is it?
Meniscus is a cartilaginous lining in the form of a lunar crescent and is located inside the knee joint. It performs the work of the stabilizer and shock absorber. There are internal and external menisci. A meniscus rupture is the most common injury of the knee joint. Often the gap occurs with the medial meniscus , because it is less mobile than the lateral and at the same time reliably connects to the internal ligament of the joint.
Cause of rupture of meniscus
To know how to protect yourself from trauma, it is necessary to remember the causes that lead to serious consequences. There are many factors that cause the rupture of the internal meniscus:
- excess weight;
- rheumatic fever;
- gouty arthritis;
- age changes;
- arthritis of the knee;
- osteoarthritis;
- excessive loads (classes in the gym, weight lifting, professional running);
- weakness of joints since birth.
Rupture of the meniscus - symptoms
In order to timely provide the victim with first aid, it is important to know what symptoms the knee joint meniscus has. Among the main features:
- acute pain;
- swelling;
- increasing the temperature of the affected area;
- click while driving with knee;
- painful sensations when playing sports;
- problems with the movement of the stairs;
- painful sensations in the inner part of the knee;
- lack of mobility or immobility of the affected area;
- inflammation in the synovium of the injured joint;
- impossibility to bend and unbend the knee;
Can I walk with a break in the meniscus?
Often, the victim is wondering whether it is possible to refuse treatment for a meniscus rupture or it will become a health threat. Experts argue that if a knee joint meniscus injury is ignored, there is a possibility of developing a chronic disease. In addition, the damaged area will regularly make itself felt after serious physical exertion, weight lifting and active exercises. There are periods of so-called calm, when pain does not disturb for months, but the process of destruction does not stop.
If we continue to ignore the meniscus rupture, the human cartilaginous tissue will degenerate, leading to degeneration of neighboring cartilage, in the most difficult cases even to bone tissues. As a result, arthrosis may develop. The pain becomes regular and intensified after different loads. It's getting harder and harder to walk. In the worst case, a person may face disability.
How to treat a meniscus rupture?
When diagnosed, the meniscus rupture treatment can be conservative and surgical. Here much will depend on the severity and localization of the gap. Treatment in the first way has such stages:
- First aid to the victim - the patient should be left in complete rest, and a cold compress applied to the affected area. The patient should give painkillers and make a puncture, gypsum immobilization.
- The imposition of gypsum longi on the injured leg - physiotherapy, the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, the removal of the joint blockade, the use of ointments, creams for anesthesia.
Indications for surgery include:
- a meniscus fracture or displacement;
- hemorrhage in the joint cavity of the meniscus;
- the detachment of the horns, or the body of the meniscus;
- blockade of the joint, which can not be eliminated;
- ineffectiveness of drug treatment.
Operative treatment is usually done in such ways:
- Meniscatectomy is a medical procedure that involves the removal of the entire body, or its individual parts. The operation should be carried out if there was a separation of a large part.
- Restoration of the knee joint - the procedure is carried out if the person is young and leads an active lifestyle.
- The arthroscopic method is modern and non-traumatic. This procedure is carried out using an arthroscope.
- Bonding the meniscus - it is customary to use locks that resemble an arrow in shape. This operation is carried out without unnecessary incisions and traumatization of tissues.
- Meniscus transplantation is a complete or partial replacement of the meniscus.
Meniscus rupture - arthroscopy
Often the victims are interested in whether to perform an operation when the meniscus ruptures. Often, as an effective treatment experts advise to carry out arthroscopy. This method is popular due to the fact that, if necessary, from an ordinary study, you can go to surgery. Arthroscopy has such advantages:
- is carried out under the influence of conductor anesthesia;
- not very traumatic tissue;
- has a good cosmetic effect;
- after intervention, the knee joint is quickly restored;
- After the operation, no need to impose a cast;
- You can walk with a load on the foot;
- there is no need for crutches.
Rupture of the knee joint meniscus - treatment without surgery
If a man is diagnosed with a meniscus rupture, conservative treatment can be one of the most effective. There are three types of meniscus rupture, in which this treatment is indicated:
- pinching;
- partial separation;
- separation.
When the meniscus ruptures, non-surgical treatment passes through two phases - acute and short. To remove puffiness and pain syndrome, use phytotherapy, and also carry out a set of necessary measures:
- In the first day you need to fix the knee. You can use a tight bandage or a tire. Orthoses and calipers on the joint are also a good option.
- Apply ice, or a wet cool towel to the place where the pain is felt. You need to apply several times for fifteen minutes.
- Lie down or sit down, placing a pillow under your knee. The patient shows rest.
Meniscus rupture - treatment at home
To treat an injury to the knee joint at home is not recommended, as it is possible to do much harm to health. Immediately call an ambulance or go to the hospital yourself, where they will make an X-ray and prescribe an effective treatment. Often doctors recommend a bandage on the knee with a meniscus injury. However, if the victim has strong pain, he can apply the drugs when the meniscus ruptures:
- aspirin;
- ibuprofen;
- naproxen.
Meniscus rupture - folk remedies
When the meniscus is torn, often even folk remedies are used. One of the options is this kind of help.
Honey tincture
Ingredients:
- honey - 10 ml;
- alcohol - 10 ml.
Preparation and use:
- The ingredients must be mixed and melted in a water bath.
- The mixture is chilled and applied to the problem site.
- On top, the knee is wrapped with polyethylene and a woolen shawl.
- Hold the compress for two hours.
- The procedure is done twice a day until pain is relieved.
Onion mixture
Ingredients:
- onion - 2 pieces;
- sugar - 5 g.
Preparation and use:
- With a grater chop the onion.
- Add the sugar to the gruel.
- All components are mixed until completely dissolved.
- The mixture is spread on gauze and applied to the knee.
- The top is fixed with polyethylene.
- The compress is held all night.
- The procedure is done every day for a month.
What is the danger of breaking the meniscus?
If a man has a meniscus of the knee joint, mobility is limited, and only potent drugs can save from persistent pain. Among other hazards of injury:
- Failure to treat damage can lead to arthrosis of the knee joint .
- The occurrence of such lesions as bone fractures, ligament rupture, bone displacement.
- Mechanical instability of the knee joint. During walking or running, joint blockage may occur and the injured person can not even bend the leg.
Injury of the knee joint meniscus - consequences
If the treatment of damage is properly prescribed, the patient has every chance of recovery. The consequences of trauma will depend on the degree and speed of the diagnosis. A not very favorable prognosis for people over the age of forty, since the ligamentous apparatus at this age is still weak. However, not only in this category of victims there may be complications of the meniscus rupture. The most dangerous consequence may be arthrosis of the knee.
LFK with a meniscus rupture
After the performed operations or conservative treatment, a person's capacity for work can resume after a month, and in some cases in three months. To restore recovery after a break in the meniscus passed as soon as possible, doctors recommend using therapeutic exercise . Effective exercises are considered for the knee after a meniscus injury:
- Lie on your stomach, legs straighten. Slowly lift the injured leg. On the air it needs to be held for no more than thirty seconds. The exercise should be repeated up to four times.
- Lie on your stomach and stretch out your arms. A healthy leg should be bent at ninety degrees. The bent leg should be raised from the floor and held by weight for ten seconds. Do the same with a sore leg. You need to bend under the angle at which there is no pain. You have to repeat it twice.