Knee meniscus cyst
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Basically, the meniscus is the two cartilage pads in the knee joint between the tibia and the femur. It acts as a shock absorber, since the meniscus is twice as elastic as cartilage. In addition, it stabilizes movement, limits excessive movement and protects the articular cartilage from abrasion. The meniscus is crescent-shaped.
A cyst is a bladder filled with a thick mucoid fluid that forms in the thickness of the meniscus. The cause of its occurrence can be great physical exertion on the knee joint, especially in athletes. The most susceptible to the disease are people aged 14 to 40 years. The outer (lateral) meniscus is affected seven times more often than the inner (medial), as it is more mobile. A cyst can form both at the edge (parameniscal) and inside the meniscus, which significantly increases the likelihood of rupture.
Also, the development of a cyst can provoke repeated long-term microtrauma or dysplasia. In addition, some patients have a particular constitutional predisposition to cyst formation. It is very likely that this pathological formation will develop in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee joint and rheumatic diseases. It can cause degenerative changes in the bone and, as a result, deforming arthrosis of the joints.
With a cyst of the knee meniscus, patients feel pain while walking, especially when the knee joint is under stress. In the absence of any stress, there is no pain. In addition, one can note a clearly pronounced dense swelling of the anterolateral or, more often, the posterior inner surface of the thigh, up to three centimeters in size. It is important to understand that the same symptoms manifest themselves in other diseases of the knee joint, therefore, the diagnosis must be made by a doctor.
It is clear that not every patient knows which doctor to contact with such complaints. So, you go to a traumatologist, surgeon or orthopedist. To make a correct diagnosis, it is necessary to make a thorough diagnosis and for this, the following research methods are used:
- magnetic resonance imaging (very common today, since it gives an image in several projections, without exposing the patient to radiation),
- computed tomography (layer-by-layer examination of muscle tissue, provides information about its condition, size, location),
- arthroscopy (a method of diagnosis and treatment by introducing instruments through small incisions of 0.5 cm),
- arthro-roentgenography of the knee joint in three projections (the examined area is exposed to X-ray radiation, but in some cases, this research method is more expedient),
- ultrasonography,
- thermopolarography.
The first degree of cystic degeneration of the meniscus is diagnosed histologically, the second and third - visually.
For small cysts of the knee meniscus, conservative treatment is preferable. The first recommendation, of course, is to reduce the stress on the joint. With severe pain, analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs help, sometimes a puncture is required to extract excess fluid. Physiotherapy procedures are also prescribed, they are based on the use of natural and artificial natural physical factors.
The main task of physiotherapy procedures is to achieve positive dynamics of the patient's recovery with minimal stress on the body. And, importantly, this method avoids side effects. It has always been and to this day remains the safest therapeutic, prophylactic, and sometimes very pleasant method, because in the appointment you can find swimming, massage, exercise therapy. There are also less pleasant treatments such as phonophoresis and ultra-high frequency therapy.
If, conservative treatment is not appropriate, you will have to resort to surgical intervention. This is an extreme but often necessary measure. Fortunately, endoscopic arthroscopy exists today. The arthroscope and the necessary instruments are introduced into the joint cavity through two 0.5-centimeter incisions, which allows revision of all parts of the joint and clarification of the diagnosis. The operation can be observed through the device screen.
Everyone knows that it is better to prevent disease than to cure, and this is facilitated by prevention. But not everyone knows how dangerous squatting is. In this position, an excessive load is formed in the knee joint, which can provoke ruptures of muscles, tendons, cartilage. If you look after your health and prefer an active lifestyle, it is recommended to give preference to such sports as swimming, gymnastics, cycling and give up running and extreme sports.
In any case, if you are concerned about pain in the knee joints, you should consult a doctor. For starters, at your local clinic. After a face-to-face examination, you will be able to ask and even insist on examination in an inpatient setting, as well as treatment in an orthopedic department.
Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist
Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".
