TREATMENT TREATMENT - KNEE PRICE
Warning! A place of special risk - a knot of the knee
Two wedge-like cartilaginous structures, called menisci, lie between the femur and tibia (Figure 1). Their role is to reduce the friction of joint surfaces, but because of their poor vascularity they have very little ability to repair when damaged. An acute sprain of the knee joint is quite often a torn meniscus in the knee and also a painful and complicated injury - the bane of people doing sports, and not just being competitive.
We distinguish three types of sprains:
- light
- average
- heavy
Diagnosis of a knee injury
Usually, the contact doctor recommends a X-ray of the twisted knee. However, slight damage to the knee joint is not visible on the X-ray. The correct diagnosis can only be made by an orthopedic physician after a thorough clinical examination, possibly based on ultrasonography. It is best if the test is done in a specialist facility to avoid reading errors, which can easily happen in the case of joints. Failure to take treatment in the event of a serious injury leads to instability of the knee joint, which may make it difficult or even impossible to walk.
Light twisting can be treated conservatively
After a slight injury that only strains the knee ligaments, a knee joint immobilisation can be used for a period of 2 to 4 weeks. Special movable reinforcements are used - joint stabilizers or immobilized by gypsum for 2-4 weeks. This traditional way, though the cheapest - weakens the structure of the joint and requires a fairly long rehabilitation. After removing the plaster, or a more modern dressing, the rehabilitation process begins.
Twisting heavier
In the case of a serious knee injury - the basic question is - to cure conservatively or to operate? The obligatory X-ray does not always make it possible to settle this dilemma. It allows, however, to distinguish the above-mentioned three types of sprains - light, medium and heavy, and to choose the appropriate therapy for this.
Meniscus damage
In the case of medium or heavy sprains, the meniscus (cartilage), joint capsule, or in more severe cases - damage to the ligaments are usually injured. It is unthinkable just to leave a damaged meniscus without treatment. This loose "cartilage structure" stops the movement of the joint, it rubs against the cartilage and can damage the joint's smoothness. This is accompanied by inflammation and severe pain unbearable for the patient. A further consequence of non-flying may be degenerative changes that immobilize the joint.