In the knee joint, in the middle of the thigh bone and the tibia, there are vesicles called meniscus, which are located inside and outside in the fibrocartilage structure that provides harmony on the joint surfaces. The menisci take on the task of protecting the knee joint against extreme strains.
The inner meniscus is crescent-shaped and very tightly associated with the joint capsule, very little mobile. Therefore, he is injured more often.
The outer meniscus is circular and covers most of the articular surface. It is more mobile than the inner meniscus. Therefore, less injuries.
Meniscal injuries differ according to the site of the injury. While smoothing is more difficult in central tears where there is no veining, outer tears with good veining show early beauty.
Meniscal injuries require a surgical procedure. The surgical process is either in the form of repair of the meniscus or in the form of the complete removal of the meniscus, which we call meniscectomy. The surgical procedure applied may differ. While surgery is performed by opening the knee joint in the formula we call open surgery, in the formula we call arthroscopic surgery, the knee joint is entered through a small incision. This speeds up the smoothing process.
In addition, anterior and posterior cruciate ligament injuries in the knee joint may accompany meniscus injuries. In such cases, the picture may get worse and the patient’s recovery period is prolonged.
The aim of rehabilitation in meniscal injuries:
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To prevent intra-articular bleeding
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To prevent loss of strength that may occur in the muscles
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Speeding up texture smoothing
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strengthen the muscles
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It is to provide return to functions.
Rehabilitation process after open meniscectomy:
After open meniscectomy, training is started from the first day. Exercises and intensity are increased according to the patient’s tolerance. Suitable electrotherapy methods and cold compresses are applied for pain-spasm and edema. From the first day, the patient is walked with crutches. If the patient is an athlete, he can return to sports from the fourth week.
Rehabilitation process after arthroscopic meniscectomy:
If the meniscectomy was performed arthroscopically, the rehabilitation program is an earlier and faster program. From the first day, the patient can walk with full weight and the athlete can return to sports in the third week.
Rehabilitation process after meniscus repair:
If meniscus repair was performed without meniscectomy, the rehabilitation program is a slower progression program. In the first week, walking with crutches is started with sole contact. However, by the end of the third week, the patient walks with a correct 25% load. In the eighth week, the patient is walked with 100% loading. An athlete cannot return to sports before the sixth month.
Anterior cruciate ligament tear:
The anterior cruciate ligament is the most elastic of the ligaments around the knee. Immobilization, aging, circulation failures and repetitive traumas reduce the strength of the ligament and lower the rupture threshold. Anterior cruciate ligament tear is one of the most common injuries of the knee. It usually occurs when the knee turns inward without error during rotation and displacement movements.
On the first day of rehabilitation, the patient is carried out with a light load with base contact. It is carried out by giving full body weight in the fourth and fifth weeks. At six and eight weeks, the patient gains a normal gait pattern. As a football player, he can play in the ninth and tenth months.
Articular cruciate ligament tear:
Arterial cruciate ligament tear is less common. Tears occur in 70% of the tibia, 15% of the femur, and 15% of the midsection. With the bending of the knee, the stress on the posterior cruciate ligament increases, so the patient’s knee bending motion is restricted. On the first day, it is carried out with base contact without any load. It is carried out with full load at the end of the sixth week. Running starts in the fourth month, training sessions are started in the sixth month and sports competitions are started in the 9-12 months.
