|
|
+ View Archived Newsletters
The knee joint is made up of three bones: the femur (thigh bone), the tibia (shin bone), and the patella (knee cap). The surfaces of these bones are covered with a layer of articular cartilage, which allows the bones to glide smoothly against one another during movement. The two wedge-shaped menisci, which are also made of cartilage, sit between the bone ends and help to distribute your body weight across the knee joint more evenly.
Both the articular cartilage and the menisci serve an important role in maintaining the health of the joint. If the articular cartilage of the joint is worn away or damaged, the bones will rub against one another without adequate protection, causing further injury to the bone ends. In the case of osteoarthritis, the damage to the articular cartilage generally occurs gradually over the years. Traumatic events, such as sports injuries or falls, can also damage the articular surfaces of the joint.
The symptoms of osteoarthritis are well known: joint pain and swelling, sensitivity to changes in temperature and humidity, as well as a progressive loss of motion and strength. A grinding sensation during movement may also be felt. In contrast, traumatic injuries to the articular cartilage may have symptoms more similar to those seen with meniscal injuries, and may occur in conjunction with meniscal injuries.
An injury to the wedge-shaped meniscus may cause the knee to feel like it is locked in a certain position, or unable to straighten fully. There may also be a sensation of the knee giving way, or buckling, during certain activities. Symptoms of a meniscus injury also include joint swelling and pain, especially during motions that require flexing the knee. A popping or clicking sensation as the knee is moved is also common. Often an individual can recall a specific traumatic event, either from excessive bending or twisting of the joint, which triggered the symptoms.
Diagnosis - Any painful knee should be evaluated by a physician. A careful history and physical examination can help differentiate between an arthritic condition, meniscus pathology, or other concern. Diagnostic testing may also be used to support the physician's clinical exam. For example, an x-ray is beneficial for the evaluation of arthritic or degenerative conditions, as it will help the physician assess the health of the bones and the degree of damage to the joint. Secondly, an MRI test is often used to determine the health of the menisci and ligaments of the knee, as it is capable of showing these structures in greater detail than an x-ray. Irregularities in the articular cartilage may also be detected by MRI.
Treatment -If a meniscus injury is diagnosed, the treatment that is recommended is determined by what portion of the tissue is involved, as well as the severity of the injury. Some meniscus injuries only require immobilization and rest to resolve. This is typical of small meniscal injuries that occur to the perimeter of the meniscus. This area of the tissue has a
plentiful blood supply that nourishes the meniscus and facilitates healing. For more significant meniscus injuries, or those that occur in an area of the tissue that is not well-nourished, surgery may be necessary to resolve the problem.
In the case of injuries to the articular cartilage, conservative as well as surgical treatment options exist. Once again, the recommended treatment depends of the severity of the damage to the bone, as well as the patient's age and desired level of physical activity. Surgical treatments vary dramatically, but the surgeon always tries to preserve as much healthy joint tissue as possible. For this reason, surgical procedures can range from a simple procedure to smooth the rough edges of the damaged articular cartilage, to a total knee replacement surgery.
Physical therapy is often recommended for both surgical and non-surgical cartilage injuries so that proper function can be restored after injury. Joint stiffness, muscular weakness, and swelling can prolong the recovery process, therefore physical therapists work with patients to safely guide their progress back to everyday activities.
|
 |
|
