Meniscus pain

What is

The menisci are pieces of cartilage that help the cushioning of loads between the bones that are part of the knee joint. In each knee we have two menisci, the medial one that is located in the internal part and the lateral one that is located in the external part of the joint. Each one is formed by three parts, which can be injured separately or as a whole. At the moment that an injury occurs it can produce a picture that produces pain, inflammation and effusion of the joint and limitation for the mobility.

Causes

Sudden movements when playing sports.
Osteoarthritis: degeneration of the knee “wear and tear” due to age or hereditary factors.

Type

Injuries in young patients and athletes

It is usually produced by a movement of abrupt turn an extensive lesion of the meniscus takes place and generally it comes accompanied of lesions the ligaments (anterior cruciate ligament or internal lateral ligament). In them the meniscus is injured in an important way and it is usually accompanied of blockades of the articulation.

Injuries in older patients with osteoarthritis

They are breaks of small size that generate edges that irritate the cartilage and produce great sensation of pain. It is generally caused by wear and tear of the joint.

Symptoms

The most common is pain, swelling and joint effusion when they occur, which usually come and go. We usually notice it in everyday movements such as going up and down stairs or we can even feel how the knee locks or gets stuck.

Approach protocol

Diagnosis and assessment

A correct medical evaluation will be necessary by means of a good anamnesis, physical examination and, if necessary, support of imaging tests, focusing especially on detecting which are the factors that have led this pad to become inflamed. We will observe if they are factors purely related to the activities that the patient performs or if there is any anatomical alteration that favors it. The multidisciplinary approach is essential for a comprehensive, personalized and focused on achieving a prolonged relief of pain depending on the phase in which it is so it is possible that we have the intervention of professionals in biomechanics, podiatry and physiotherapy.

Complementary tests

X-ray and/or MRI.

Treatment

The treatment of this pathology will depend to a great extent on the patient’s condition, age and symptoms and the condition of the meniscus. We will try in the first instance to avoid surgery whenever possible and when the lesion size and location of the treatment allows it.

Interventional medical treatments:
- Treatments such as regenerative medicine:
  - Platelet-rich plasma: the compound extracted from the patient’s own blood has a concentrate of anti-inflammatory factors and cytokines that make it very useful for this pathology.
  - Cytokine-rich serum: this is a different process to platelet-rich plasma in which a compound rich in anti-inflammatory cytokines is also obtained from the blood.
  - Stem cells: originating from the patient’s bone or fat, they have a regenerative and anti-inflammatory power that makes them a unique treatment for pain relief.
- Treatments with hyaluronic acid: as well as regenerative medicine, it reduces pain and favors meniscus recovery.

Physiotherapy: methodology based on knowledge and clinical reasoning in which we combine a series of techniques and treatments both manual therapy and invasive techniques, always associated or complementing them with cutting-edge technology that allows us to accelerate the recovery process. Among other high-tech devices include Magnetolith, SIS, focal shock waves, Indiba, among others. This therapeutic combination allows us to activate the patient early to begin with a routine and a process of specific therapeutic exercises that allow us to enhance and strengthen the lost functional patterns.

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Pilar Solana López (Pili)

Hace cerca de 20 años que me visito con el doctor Genaro Mañero y estoy muy contenta con sus visitas y revisiones. Es un excelente profesional y muy atento con sus pacientes.

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