What is the best way to treat meniscus?

The meniscus is a relatively important part of the knee joint. Once there is a problem with the meniscus, it must be treated in time. If it is not treated in time, it will not only worsen the condition, but may also cause people to have difficulty in movement and have a great impact on daily life. In fact, the meniscus is divided into acute and chronic stages during treatment. So how to better treat the meniscus? The following are the treatment methods for meniscus.

Good treatment for meniscus injury

Patients with meniscus injury should be grateful for the regular treatment of meniscus injury, which helps patients prepare mentally for treatment and relax, has a positive therapeutic effect, and is of great significance to the recovery of patients' physical health. This article introduces treatment measures based on the classification of acute and chronic stages.

1. Acute phase

If there is obvious effusion or blood in the joint

If there is obvious fluid or blood accumulation in the joint, the fluid should be drained out under strict aseptic operation; if the joint is "locked", the "locking" should be released by manipulation, and then the knee joint should be fixed in the extended position for 4 weeks with a tubular plaster from the upper 1/3 of the thigh to the ankle. The cast should be properly shaped and the patient should be able to walk with it on. During the fixation period and after the fixation is removed, the quadriceps muscles should be actively exercised to prevent muscle atrophy.

2. Chronic stage

If non-surgical treatment is ineffective, symptoms and signs are obvious, and the diagnosis is clear, the damaged meniscus should be surgically removed as soon as possible to prevent traumatic arthritis. After the operation, pressure bandage is applied in the extended knee position, and quadriceps static contraction exercises are started the next day. Straight leg raising exercises are started 2 to 3 days later to prevent quadriceps atrophy. Walking is started after two weeks. Normal function can usually be restored 2 to 3 months after the operation.

3. Application of Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy can be used to treat meniscus injuries. Meniscus tears are feasible for suture repair, and it is usually used to partially remove the meniscus and preserve the non-injured area. Early treatment of meniscus injury can shorten the course of treatment, improve treatment effects, and reduce the incidence of traumatic arthritis. Arthroscopic surgery has minimal trauma and quick recovery.

The disease is classified as arthritis in traditional Chinese medicine, which is mainly caused by fatigue, trauma, infection and other reasons that lead to low immunity of the body and deficiency of organ function, allowing wind, cold and dampness to invade the body and stagnate in the joints and meridians. Because the kidneys are responsible for bone, sperm production and marrow nourishment.

If the kidney qi is insufficient and cannot control the bones and nourish the marrow, bone diseases may occur; the liver controls the meridians and governs the ligaments and joint movements of the whole body. If the liver yang is hyperactive and the liver blood is insufficient, symptoms such as muscle pain, numbness, and difficulty in flexion and extension may occur; the spleen is responsible for transportation and transformation and controls the muscles. If the spleen fails to transport and transform and cannot nourish the skin, soreness and atrophy of the muscle and joint tissues may occur. Therefore, to treat this type of disease, we must first regulate the functions of the internal organs and treat both the symptoms and the root cause in order to achieve the goal of cure and recovery.

This article introduces the conventional treatment measures for meniscus injury in detail, and also explains the treatment effects of traditional Chinese and Western medicine. It is recommended that patients consider combining traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment methods. In addition, patients with meniscus injury should pay attention to keeping warm, maintaining a good mood, and doing appropriate exercise.

How to prevent meniscus injury

The human knee joint is a joint that bears a heavy burden. "The knee joint is a reinforced house." The entire joint is composed of the lower end of the femur, the upper end of the tibia, and the patella. The tibial articular surface is cushioned by the upper ends of two menisci, called the medial and lateral menisci.

The meniscus can move forward, backward, inward or outward with the movement of the knee joint, so it has the function of cushioning and stabilizing the knee joint. Meniscus injury is caused by torsional external force. When one leg bears weight and the calf is fixed in a semi-flexed and abducted position, the body and thigh suddenly rotate inward, and the medial meniscus between the femoral condyle and tibia is subjected to rotational pressure, causing the meniscus to tear.

How to prevent meniscus injury

1. Make full use of the tools around you to help reduce the risk of meniscus injury caused by accidents

When getting on or off a bus or going up and down stairs, don't rush. You can use the handrail to help stabilize your body before taking a step. For people who have professional habits, it is better to change their working posture and take a short rest every once in a while.

2. Avoid surgery as much as possible

If the disease is diagnosed and treated early, there is no large hematoma, and the symptoms are not very serious, such as no "stuck" or "locked" knee joint, and no atrophy of the quadriceps, surgery can be omitted for middle-aged and elderly patients or if the doctor determines based on MRI that the patient does not need surgery. Some of these people will be able to participate in sports like normal people, but it will take one and a half to two years.

3. Athletes

If the patient is an athlete and must still engage in sports, experts do not recommend surgical treatment, but the patient's recovery time will be longer.