The meniscus (sometimes incorrectly called the meniscus) is a structure that can be found in various joints - but the most important function in the human body is played by the menisci located within the knee joint. What exactly is a meniscus, how is it built and what ailments may occur in the event of a meniscal damage?
Meniscusis a fibrous-cartilaginous structure found, among others, in in the knee joint between the femur and tibia. The knee joint is the largest and at the same time one of the most complex joints in humans. It is built of many different elements - bone structures, ligaments, synovial bursae - but also some additional parts, the existence of which theoretically everyone has heard, but not everyone already knows what their function is. These types of structures present in the knee joint include menisci.
Łąkotka: construction
The meniscus is a structure made of fibrous cartilage. In the human body, menisci are associated with various joints - they can be found, among others, in the area of the wrist, the sternoclavicular joint or the temporomandibular joint - the most important, however, are the menisci, which are located in the knee joint. The plural is purposefully used here - there are two menisci in the knee.
Within the knee joint, the lateral and medial meniscus are distinguished. The first of these is a shorter and narrower meniscus, it is curved (shaped like a ring), its initial attachment is anteriorly from the lateral intercondylar tubercle, and the ending - posteriorly from the medial intercondylar tubercle.
The medial meniscus resembles the letter C. It has its initial attachment in the front part of the anterior intercondylar field, and the end one within the posterior intercondylar field. It differs from the lateral meniscus - apart from its shape and attachments - it is less mobile, which is due to the fact that the medial meniscus is connected with the tibial collateral ligament.
Both menisci - apart from their differences - also have some common features. In cross-section they have the shape of a right triangle, their upper surface is concave and the lower surface is flat.
Meniscus: function
Meniscuses - despite their small size - play a very important role. Thanks to themit is possible to better fit the articular surfaces within the knee joint (we are talking about the connection between the femur and tibia).
They also provide the ability to perform rotational movements in the bent knee joint. It is also extremely important that menisci have a shock-absorbing function - they absorb forces and pressure and transfer the load to various structures of the knee joint.
It is also worth mentioning here that the menisci divide the knee joint into two floors - upper and lower. The upper floor is called the meniscus-femoral floor and it is where knee straightening and bending movements take place, while the lower floor, i.e. the meniscus-tibia, is associated with rotational movements.
Meniscus: symptoms of damage
Meniscal tears are one of the more common dysfunctions that orthopedic specialists encounter. They can occur as a result of injuries (damage to the meniscus is especially common in athletes, especially in runners and people practicing strength sports), but also as a result of experiencing various minor injuries of the meniscus, which ultimately lead to an intense and permanent defect of this structure.
Injury to the meniscus can affect both the lateral and the medial meniscus and can manifest itself as:
- knee pain (sometimes very strong),
- blocking the ability to move the knee (only the range of motion in the joint may be limited),
- swollen knee,
- occurrence of slamming or jumping knee.
Meniscus: treatment of meniscal tears
In the treatment of meniscal tears, both conservative and surgical treatments are used. The first of these methods is used for minor injuries that do not hinder the patient's functioning to a greater extent. Conservative treatment mainly includes rehabilitation.
With more serious injuries of the meniscus, it may be necessary to undergo surgical treatment, which may include partial or complete removal of the meniscus (a procedure known as meniscectomy).
- Knee injuries. Restoring a damaged meniscus
- Meniscus injuries on skis: causes, symptoms and treatment
- First aid and rehabilitation in the event of damage to the knee joint
- Degeneration of the knee joints (gonarthrosis). Knee degeneration causes and treatment