Index
This condition can be degenerative or traumatic; everything depends on the age of the affected person, the corporal care, and the physical deterioration in general lines.
Any injury can suffer the meniscus of the knees, either by sports activities, unexpected accidents, diseases acquired over time, obesity for a prolonged period, and even old age that deteriorates the entire human body.
Causes
The degenerative Meniscopathies are related to previous injuries poorly healed, such as the case of the rupture of the ligaments, as well as the lesions in the tibial plateau. The percentage of men with this condition is between 40 and 70 years of age.
On the other hand, traumatic Meniscopathies are produced by some sports practices that wear or injure the meniscus. The majority of cases of this condition are men between 21 to 30 years of age.
Characteristics of the lesions of a Meniscopathy
Traumatic Meniscus:
This type of injury can be divided into two types, the direct and the indirect:
Direct trauma:
It can occur in the following way:
- Forced hyperflexion occurs when an individual squats and then abruptly reincorporates to an upright position; this causes the meniscus to be caught between the tibial base, resulting in a meniscopathy.
- Hyperextension of the knee: a real example of this event is when the soccer players do not kick the ball but to the void, doing with it a forced and abrupt movement, injuring the meniscus, which may be prone to suffering from a Meniscopathy.
Indirect trauma:
Indirect injuries can occur when one of the two knees suddenly rotates or semi-flexion with the foot resting on the ground, and out of nowhere, it receives a blow on the outside or inside of the knee, and if it decides to turn to incorporate it creates a pressure strenuous in the meniscus, which causes breakage.
This type of movement does not always generate an injury; various factors do not allow the development of this event, such as appropriate muscles, the weight of the person, their elasticity, and a healthy exercise routine.
Degenerative meniscopathy:
This occurs when the knee has presented previous injuries and, over time, has worn away, including the meniscus, which weakens this part of the body. Sooner or later, a Meniscopathy is generated.
Although a more significant percentage happens by the advanced age, the degeneration is also a consequence of hereditary factors that deteriorate the organism, the bones, and even the meniscus, resulting in a Meniscopathy.
symptom
Among the most frequent symptoms before a Meniscopathy is:
- Pain in the knee area can be very intense if the injury is serious.
- Inability to bend the knee after the trauma.
- Joint effusion in the affected area.
- Weakness in the leg when trying to support the foot on the floor.
- Discomfort or pain in the knee when sitting, turning, or bending.
Diagnosis of a Meniscopathy
The doctor specializing in traumatology will perform a series of examinations on the patient to assess the degree of affection and the measures to be taken to resolve Meniscopathy.
It will touch the affected area and perform a physical test; then, the patient will undergo an MRI or even if the case needs a diagnostic arthroscopy.
Treatment
When determining the type of rupture in the injured meniscus, it can be treated with surgical intervention if it is severe, which can be done under two modalities, arthroscopy or open surgery.
The arthroscopy procedure is always recommended because it is less invasive, leaves a scar almost invisible, and the intervention time is shorter because it is performed on an outpatient basis.
One of the benefits of this type of operation is that the recovery time is minimal compared to open surgery, which is performed invasively, is riskier, and recovery is slow and painful.
