The meniscus is called an elastic pad, shaped like a crescent, and similar in structure to a tendon, which acts as a buffer between the lower leg and thigh. Given the importance of its function in the body, meniscus injury is a serious injury.
In addition to cushioning, this part of the skeleton plays another significant role in the work of the knee joint - together with the ligaments and the capsule, it maintains its stability. Damage to the meniscus in 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. Sometimes, even a bad squat can be traumatic.
Types and forms
One or both menisci (internal and external) can be damaged both in isolation and simultaneously with other structures of the joint (ligaments, articular cartilage, capsule, fatty body). These injuries can come in many shapes and forms.
A damaged or torn part of the meniscus almost never grows on its own, over time, its tissue becomes compacted and inelastic. itdue to the fact that the structure of this cartilaginous lining has specific features: most of the tissue does not have blood vessels and is simply not capable of regenerating.
Torn
The meniscus experiences heavy loads during movements, so its gap continues to increase. The damaged part loses its function, gradually turning into something foreign. This rejected body is displaced into the articular cavity and is infringed between the lower leg and thigh. In this case, the destruction of the articular cartilage occurs, which is accompanied by acute pain.
Rupture of the meniscus, treatment
In case of an acute injury, there is an option to perform a meniscus suture in the blood-supplying or paracapsular zone. Such a surgical operation is performed if the gap is longitudinal, while the duration 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 only with crutches is shown and up to six months - limiting the load on the leg.
Meniscus arthroscopy allows you to perform surgery without opening the joint in case of injury or pathological changes. A special micro-instrument, which is used during this procedure, increases the efficiency of the operation, making it less traumatic while maintaining the integrity of he althy tissues.
Injury to the meniscus in young people, when there are no age-related changes in the bones that form the joint and articular cartilage, can be eliminated by a donor organ transplant. At the same time, it is implanted and fixed tojoint capsule and tibia. This procedure can be performed using arthroscopic technique. An experienced surgeon, using modern surgical equipment, can completely eliminate the negative consequences of an injury in the shortest possible time.
The results of operations 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 arthrosis of the knee joint in the future.
