Once injured, it is difficult to heal on its own! The most worrying thing about the meniscus is that you use it incorrectly and it will be scrapped in advance! A must-read for protecting your knees

How important are knees to us?

Everyone knows

It consists of multiple structures

Including bones, cartilage, ligaments and muscles, etc.

There is also a small structure

It may be easily overlooked by everyone

That's the meniscus!

Our knees’ number one bodyguard

Once damaged, it is difficult to heal itself

The old meniscus could have been used.

I am most afraid that you will use it incorrectly and it will be scrapped in advance.

The meniscus is located between the femoral condyle and the tibial platform. It is two semi-lunar fibrocartilage plates, which are divided into the medial meniscus and the lateral meniscus.

Image source: Photo Network

Although the meniscus is small, its role is not small:

Force buffering and shock absorption: relieve the pressure on the knee joint and reduce the wear on the surface of the knee joint; during exercise, the meniscus can also absorb the impact force from the knee joint and reduce damage to bones and soft tissues.

Stabilize the joint: The meniscus can adapt well to the shape of the medial and lateral condyles of the femur of the knee joint, and move with the tibia during knee flexion and extension to maintain the stability of the knee joint.

Lubrication of joints: The meniscus can apply synovial fluid to the articular cartilage through friction, lubricate the knee joint and provide nutrition to the articular cartilage.

Image source: Photo Network

We can imagine that the knee is like the shock absorber of a car, and the meniscus is the spring in the shock absorber , protecting the knee from injury.

Under normal circumstances, the meniscus can be used until old age, but some incorrect exercises and daily activities may cause the meniscus to be injured or degenerate prematurely, and it will be difficult to heal on its own .

Common causes of injury include:

1. Severe sprain: The knee is suddenly twisted or subjected to severe impact, such as sudden turning or severe rotation.

2. Sports injuries: During exercise, meniscus injuries may occur due to falls, collisions, sprains, or incorrect movements.

3. Overuse: Frequent high-intensity exercise, running, jumping, or heavy physical labor will increase the force and pressure on the meniscus and lead to degeneration.

4. Excessive weight: Being overweight or obese will increase the pressure on the knee joint and accelerate the degeneration of the meniscus.

5. Accidental injuries: Car accidents, work injuries or other accidents may cause serious damage to the meniscus.

A meniscus injury may cause knee pain, swelling, difficulty bending or straightening the knee freely, and may cause a cracking sound or even a jamming of the joint when squatting, standing up, or turning.

Image source: Photo Network

The specific symptoms vary depending on the severity of the injury and individual differences. In short, if you experience discomfort, pain or other abnormal sensations in your knee, it is best to go to the hospital for examination and diagnosis in time.

1

Pay attention to exercise techniques

Before exercising , do sufficient warm-up exercises to fully stretch the muscles and ligaments around the knee joint.

During exercise , pay attention to sports techniques, avoid excessive twisting and rotation, reduce joint stress, and wear sports protective gear if necessary to prevent accidental injuries during exercise.

Giving your joints adequate rest time after exercise can help reduce fatigue and injury.

2

Maintain muscle stability

You can usually strengthen the quadriceps, hamstrings and other muscles around the knee joint to increase joint stability.

Image source: Photo Network

3

Maintaining a Proper Weight

Maintaining a proper weight is very important for joint health. Being overweight increases the burden on the joints and increases the risk of meniscus injury.

4

other

Avoid frequent going up and down stairs and squatting, avoid squatting or sitting for long periods of time, and try to lift as little heavy objects as possible.

Protect the meniscus

Jane "knee" now

Statement: This article is a medical-related educational popular science article. It does not involve specific treatment methods or medical behaviors and cannot replace hospital visits.

Experts who reviewed this article

References

[1] Baker,P.Knee disorders in the general population and their relation to occupation[J].Occupational and environmental medicine, 2003, 60(10):794-797.DOI:10.1016/j.jcis.2004.12.020.

[2] Li Qiang, Li Jian. Advances in the treatment of knee meniscus injury[J]. Journal of Bone and Joint Injury, 2004, 19(6):4. DOI:10.3969/j.issn.1672-9935.2004.06.041.

[3] Bretlau T, Tux?EJ, Larsen L, et al. Bone bruise in the acutely injured knee[J]. Knee Surgery Sports Traumatology Arthroscopy, 2002, 10(2):96-101.DOI:10.1007/s00167-001-0272-9.

Content Production

Edit: 100% sweet

Map: Eastern Zhou Dynasty