The menisci of the knee joint are the cartilages responsible for the variety of movements of the human leg. In fact, this is a kind of natural shock absorber that prevents friction of the bones and their rapid wear. Most often, the menisci are damaged as a result of sharp flexion or extension of the leg. In this case, the risk of injury increases if the hip rotates at the same time with a fixed lower leg.
Symptoms of Damage
Injury to the menisci of the knee joint is quite simple. This injury is very common. According to statistics, meniscus damage is diagnosed in 70% of patients who come to the doctor with complaints of pain in the knee area. With a timely visit to the doctor, there are usually no problems in curing such an injury. The main symptom of damage is pain, which increases with leg extension, as well as inflammation and swelling in the joint area. Of course, such manifestations can be signs of a bone fracture. Therefore, when diagnosing, the doctor necessarily prescribes an X-ray examination.
Injured menisci of the kneejoints cause limitation of movement, both active and passive. The leg of a person lying on the couch is usually slightly bent. This condition is called joint blockade. Very often, people who have received such an injury do not go to the doctor. In this case, after a while (after about two days), the pain disappears. There is an imaginary recovery. However, any careless movement in the future may lead to the resumption of the blockade.
How dangerous is self-treatment
Damaged menisci of the knee joint must be treated by consulting a doctor. Chronic injuries can lead to such unpleasant consequences as inflammation of the joint membrane, as well as to constant pain, aggravated by walking, descending stairs. In the case of the appearance of an “articular mouse” (tearing off a piece of the meniscus and bone growth), surgical intervention will be required. Therefore, if pain occurs after a sharp extension of the leg with a simultaneous turn, you should not delay going to the emergency room.
Treatment of the meniscus of the knee joint
Preliminarily, the doctor prescribes a puncture with the introduction of novocaine. After that, the injured meniscus is set. In this case, the doctor makes movements that are opposite to those that led to injury.
Therefore, it is very important to inform the doctor in as much detail as possible about the circumstances of the injury. After repositioning, a splint is applied to the knee. In the case of the appearance of a “joint mouse”, the internalpart of the joint. When diagnosing a separation, an operation is prescribed. The meniscus is then removed. In the treatment of such injuries, special gymnastic exercises are required.
Using folk methods
Of course, it is impossible to heal such an injury on your own. However, there are folk remedies that can partially relieve inflammation of the meniscus of the knee joint and stop the pain. The most common way in this case is considered a honey compress. Of course, before taking any independent action to relieve pain, you should visit a traumatologist and get appropriate advice. Honey remedy is quite effective. Either way, it won't do any harm. To prepare a compress, take one part of honey and medical alcohol. The components are placed in a small container and placed in a water bath. The heated mixture is applied to the knee and wrapped with a woolen scarf. The course of treatment is a month (2 hours in the morning and evening).
Meniscal injuries are serious enough to not be taken lightly.
