Meniscal lesion

Menisci are two anatomical structures that lie between the femur and the tibia. They play the role of "joint" between the two bony structures.
These menisci can be injured from simple crack to complete rupture or avulsion.
Meniscal lesions are common for very active or sporty persons,they are also found within the framework of knee osteoarthritis at different stages.

lésions-méniscales.jpg

DIAGNOSTIC

  • Pain: main symptom, can take several forms:
    • Acute, brutal: post traumatic, may be accompanied by knee effusion.
    • Gradual onset: precise localization, annoys during certain movements.
    • Unstable: not improved by medical treatment


  • knee Locking: preventing full extension, sometimes requiring emergency surgery
  • Clinical examination:
    • Pain at the end of flexion
    • Pain when pressing on the lateral sides of the knee
    • specific testing
  • Paraclinical examination:
      • Radiographs: eliminate fracture, osteoarthritis
      • MRI is the best examination which allows to confirm the diagnosis
DIAGNOSTIC

TREATMENT

  • Medical: very little space, rehabilitation does not greatly alter the course
  • Surgical: Arthroscopy: meniscal lesions surgery has become a "simple" operation thanks to this technique
    • Simple meniscectomy: Simple removal of damaged parts of the menisci
    • Meniscal suture: has undergone significant changes thanks to new techniques and developed implants. They are directed to large lesions in vascular zones especially at the level of the external meniscus in absence of related osteoarthritis.
TRAITEMENT

FOLLOW-UP

Hospitalizations are almost exclusively ambulatory ,so the patient may exit the same day .
Follow-up:

  • Meniscectomy: rehabilitation and support are immediate , sports activities resumption is expected to be between 2 weeks and 1 month .
  • Meniscal suture: rehabilitation and walk without support during the first month, the return to sports activities may start in the 3rd month.

Arthroscopy has become the only possible treatment for meniscal lesions, its safety and efficiency are the preferred method of treatment.

SUIVI