Medication
be needed depends in large part on the type of tear (See figure in appendix) and how bad the tear is. Work with your doctor to plan a rehabilitation (rehab) program that helps you regain as much strength and flexibility in your knee as possible. Your rehab program probably will include physical therapy and home exercises. Exercises that might be prescribed for rehab are listed …
Procedures
Mar 18, 2022 · In the early stages of torn meniscus rehabilitation simple range of motion can begin, but within the limits of pain. Knee flexion and extension with the aim of maintaining range of motion to the injured knee. Isometric or static quadriceps exercises can begin.
Therapy
Meniscus tears are the most common type of knee injury that requires medical attention. If your meniscus tear is treated conservatively, which is without surgery, your recovery time will be around 6 to 8 weeks.
Self-care
It depends on your age, the type of tear, how you heal, and type of surgery, if you had it. As part of a conservative treatment, you’ll probably try PT for around 4 to 6 weeks, on a regular...
Nutrition
Jul 29, 2021 · Your orthopedic doctor or physical therapist can help you recover from a meniscus injury with exercises such as these: Hamstring curls; Leg extensions; Hamstring heel digs; Standing leg raises; Clams; Straight-leg raises; Exercises for Increasing Range of Motion in the Knee. The tear in your meniscus may cause you to have a limited range of motion and stiffness …
How long does it take a torn meniscus to heal?
Dec 21, 2020 · The risk is generally higher among males over 40 years old. Recovery times Less severe meniscus tears can take 4–8 weeks to heal. Others may require surgery and take as long as 6 months. 9...
What happens if you leave a torn meniscus untreated?
May 26, 2020 · Your knee meniscus tear may cause you to have limited knee range of motion. Your ability to do a full bend or straighten your knee may become painful or limited. Restoring normal and pain-free knee range of motion should be one of the goals of your rehab. Heel Slides
Does a torn meniscus heal on its own?
Jul 19, 2021 · This is despite many times this being called a meniscal “repair.”. Another type of surgery, which is rarer, which is a true meniscal repair is where parts of the meniscus are sewn back together to try to get that meniscus to heal up rather than removing a piece of tissue. Most of the research on arthroscopic surgery, (going in with a scope ...
Does a torn meniscus always need surgery?
Strengthening the muscles around the joint protects your knees from further injury by reducing pressure on the knee as well as helps rehabilitation for a torn meniscus. For most types of meniscus tears, some simple exercises can help to maintain your muscle strength in the quadriceps and hamstrings, hip and calf.
Can rehab help meniscus tear?
If you have a knee meniscus tear, you may benefit from a physical therapy exercise program to rehabilitate your knee. Working with a physical therapist (PT) can help you regain maximal knee range of motion and strength and can help you return to your normal optimal level of activity.May 26, 2020
How long is rehab for a torn meniscus?
Recovery will take about 6 to 8 weeks if your meniscus tear is treated conservatively, without surgery. The time varies, depending on: the type and severity of the tear.Dec 21, 2020
Will exercise make a torn meniscus worse?
Doctors will usually advise against performing certain exercises when you have a meniscus tear. These exercises can put too much pressure on an already unstable knee. Avoid exercises that involve: pivoting.Mar 19, 2019
What happens if you don't repair a torn meniscus?
If not treated, part of the meniscus may come loose and slip into the joint. You may need surgery to restore full knee function. Untreated meniscus tears can increase in size and lead to complications, such as arthritis.Nov 10, 2020
What aggravates a torn meniscus?
Lifestyle and home remedies. Avoid activities that aggravate your knee pain — especially sports that involve pivoting or twisting your knee — until the pain disappears.Jan 6, 2022
Should you stay off a torn meniscus?
Rest. You should stay off your feet until your meniscus tear is healed. Don't walk, run, or play sports because this can make your injury worse.
Is walking good for meniscus tear?
Many people with a torn meniscus can still walk with the injury. Some athletes may even continue to play their sport with the injury, especially immediately after the incident as it may take several days for the stiffness and swelling to develop fully.Dec 21, 2020
Should I wear a knee brace with a torn meniscus?
Yes. Although knee braces do not heal or treat your meniscus tear directly, they can provide extra support and stability for your knee while your meniscus injury heals. A good brace will protect your knee and take the pressure off your meniscus, allowing it to rest.Oct 19, 2021
How to heal a torn meniscus?
One-quarter normal depth is sufficient to start with. Leg press machine exercises can begin with both legs initially moving onto single-leg exercises. Other torn meniscus rehabilitation exercises include step-ups, bridges , hip abduction and extension.
What is phase 3 of meniscus rehab?
The aim of phase 3 of a meniscus tear rehabilitation program is to ensure full range of movement in the knee, regain normal strength with the ability to perform a full squat and start to return to running and normal training.
How to treat a swollen knee joint?
Treatment. Continue with cold therapy applying ice 2 or 3 times a day. Wear a knee support to protect the joint and help reduce swelling. Your therapist may continue with electrotherapy with ultrasound applied around the joint to help eliminate any swelling still present.
Who is Mike Walden?
Mike Walden. Mike is creator & CEO of Sportsinjuryclinic.net. A qualified Sports Injury Therapist with a degree in Physical Education, Sports Science and Physics, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education.
How many menisci are there in each knee?
You have two menisci -- that’s the plural for meniscus -- in each knee. They’re made of cartilage, a tough, rubbery substance. They’re basically shock absorbers that keep your thighbone in the upper leg from pounding on the shinbone in the lower leg. If you tear one, your doctor probably will suggest that you rest, apply ice, ...
What is the pain in my knee?
If you just found out that the pain and swelling in your knee is a torn meniscus, you probably have a decision to make about how to treat it. What’s best for you depends on what the tear’s like, your age, and how soon you want to get back to your normal activities. You have two menisci -- that’s the plural for meniscus -- in each knee.
How to do a PT?
The PT process usually goes something like this: 1 You start with exercises that focus on range of motion, like flexing and extending your knee as much as you can without pain. 2 You move on to stretches that keep your leg muscles loose. 3 You begin basic exercises, like straight leg raises and toe raises. 4 If you can do all that without pain, you move onto more advanced exercises, like toe raises with weights, squats, and harder stretches.
Is PT as effective as surgery?
People who are middle-aged or have osteoarthritis often tear the meniscus simply because it’s worn down. For them, PT may be as effective as surgery. Even if you’re younger, fit, and athletic, a conservative approach is often a good place to start. ...
What to do after meniscus surgery?
After surgery, you will need to do exercises to increase and maintain knee strength and stability. If you have advanced, degenerative arthritis, your doctor might recommend a knee replacement.
How to stop knee pain from twisting?
If your pain is severe, using crutches can take pressure off your knee and promote healing. Ice. Ice can reduce knee pain and swelling.
How does a knee splint work?
The device contains a light and a small camera, which transmits an enlarged image of the inside of your knee onto a monitor. If necessary, surgical instruments can be inserted through the arthroscope or through additional small incisions in your knee to trim or repair the tear.
Can you have a knee replacement if you have arthritis?
If you have advanced, degenerative arthritis, your doctor might recommend a knee replacement. For younger people who have signs and symptoms after surgery but no advanced arthritis, a meniscus transplant might be appropriate. The surgery involves transplanting a meniscus from a cadaver.
Can you have surgery for arthritis?
Tears associated with arthritis often improve over time with treatment of the arthritis, so surgery usually isn't indicated. Many other tears that aren't associated with locking or a block to knee motion will become less painful over time, so they also don't require surgery. Your doctor might recommend: Rest.
How to reduce swelling in knee?
Ice. Ice can reduce knee pain and swelling. Use a cold pack, a bag of frozen vegetables or a towel filled with ice cubes for about 15 minutes at a time , keeping your knee elevated. Do this every four to six hours the first day or two, and then as often as needed. Medication.
Can a torn meniscus show up on X-rays?
X-rays. Because a torn meniscus is made of cartilage, it won't show up on X-rays. But X-rays can help rule out other problems with the knee that cause similar symptoms.
Physical Therapy as a Meniscus Tear Treatment
For some people, a minor meniscus tear causes little to no knee pain or functional loss. Minor tears in the meniscus can feel better after a careful healing process.
Physical Therapy Exercises for a Torn Meniscus
Exercises for your torn meniscus will be a major part of your knee rehabilitation program. Your orthopedic doctor or physical therapist can help you recover from a meniscus injury with exercises such as these:
Exercises for Increasing Range of Motion in the Knee
The tear in your meniscus may cause you to have a limited range of motion and stiffness of the knee. Thus, it will be hard for you to fully bend your knee or straighten your leg.
Exercises to Avoid
There are also exercises to avoid, as any twisting motion of the knee may make the tear worse. Movements such as pivots, deep squats, and twisting should be avoided at all costs to prevent further injury to the meniscus.
Meniscus Tear Doctor Near Me in Raleigh
If you are searching for an established orthopedic clinic, Dr. Brett Gilbert and his medical staff are here for you. We provide high-quality orthopedic care to our patients – and after a full assessment of your condition, we can recommend the right treatment for your injury or painful condition.
How common is a meniscus tear?
Meniscus tears are fairly common; research suggests that around 61 in 100,000. Trusted Source. people in the United States have this health issue. Below, we look into this injury and describe nine exercises that may help strengthen and rebuild a torn meniscus. Be sure to consult a doctor before trying them.
Why do knees tear?
absorb shock from walking and other activities. provide stability to the knee. A tear can occur due to too much strain, sometimes as a result of exercise. Common symptoms include: pain. swelling. clicking.
How to strengthen quadriceps?
Mini squats can help strengthen the quadriceps, large muscles at the front of the thigh, without putting too much pressure on the knees. To perform mini squats: Stand with the back, shoulders, and head against a wall. The feet should be shoulder-width apart and about 1 foot away from the wall.
How to do quadriceps?
To perform the quadriceps setting: Sit or lie flat on the ground, with the legs extended away from the body. Contract the quadriceps, using them to push the backs of the knees toward the floor.
How to do straight leg raises?
To perform straight leg raises: Lie on the floor with the left foot flat and the right leg extended. Keeping the back and pelvis in a neutral position, flex the right foot and tighten the right thigh muscles, slowly lifting the right leg off the floor.
How to strengthen hamstrings?
To perform hamstring heel digs: Lie on the back, with the knees bent and the feet flat on the floor. Flex the feet so that only the heels touch the floor .
How to raise your calf?
To perform standing heel raises: Stand with the feet hip-width apart, with the hands resting on a heavy, solid piece of furniture for support. Slowly lift the heels off the floor as far as is comfortable.
How to recover from a meniscus tear?
Exercises should be a major component of your knee rehab program after a meniscus tear. Physical therapy exercises in the clinic, and as part of a home exercise program, can help you recover fully from your meniscus injury.
What to do if you have a meniscus tear in your knee?
Jonathan Cluett, MD. on May 26, 2020. If you have a knee meniscus tear, you may benefit from a physical therapy exercise program to rehabilitate your knee. Working with a physical therapist (PT) can help you regain maximal knee range of motion and strength and can help you return to your normal optimal level of activity.
How to prevent knee surgery?
Research even shows that participating in physical therapy for a meniscus injury may help you avoid surgery for your knee. 1 Your PT may use various modalities and treatments to control your pain or knee swelling or to improve the way the muscles around your knee contracts and supports the joint. Exercises should be a major component ...
What muscle is used to straighten the knee?
Quadriceps Exercises. Your quadriceps muscle, or "the quad," straightens your knee, and it supports the joint and your kneecap. After a knee meniscus tear or injury, your physical therapist will likely have you work to improve your quadriceps function so your knee joint is adequately supported.
Is biking good for your knees?
Bike riding can have many benefits, including: It can improve your knee range of motion. It can improve muscular endurance in your legs. It is a non-weight-bearing exercise, which can limit stress and strain through your knee and injured meniscus.
How to improve knee flexion?
Performing heel slides is a great way to improve your knee flexion range of motion. (Flexion is the ability for your knee to bend fully.) To perform the heel slide exercise: Lie on your back. Slowly slide your heel up towards your bottom, allowing your knee to bend as far as possible.
Can a meniscus tear prevent you from working?
A meniscus tear can be a painful and scary injury that can prevent you from enjoying your normal work and recreational activity. By working with your doctor and PT and by engaging in an active exercise program, you can quickly and safely return to your optimal level of activity and function.
What Is a Meniscus?
The meniscus is a fibrocartilage structure that sits on top of the tibia (lower leg bone). There is one on the medial (inside) aspect of the knee, one on the lateral (outside) aspect of the knee. It is shaped like a C and provides some cushion and support for the knee joint as it acts as a shock absorber.
Types of Meniscal tears
Meniscal tears come in a variety of different types, which can affect potential treatments, symptoms or relevance.
Natural Remedies For a Torn Meniscus
If you have knee pain and have been told you have a suspected meniscal tear either from an exam or from MRI, much of the time this can heal on its own with 4-6 weeks of rest, doing some physical therapy that would focus on some range of motion and strengthening exercises and correcting any biomechanical problems that may stem from the core, back, hips or the ankles.
Treatments For A Meniscal Tear Without Surgery
If you go to most pain practices if you fail physical therapy and surgery is not recommended, they may recommend a steroid injection, which can help temporarily reduce inflammation in and around the knee and meniscus, but this is not advised as steroids as we know can cause damage to the joint cartilage, inhibit healing, and has a host of other negative side effects..
Bottom Line
Meniscal tears are common findings in the knee, which many times are of little clinical significance.
What is the best treatment for a torn meniscus?
Knee brace is one of the helpful sports medicines that can contribute to torn meniscus recovery. The main benefit of knee braces is helping patients stay active during the recovery process. It ensures less stress is applied to the joint and extra stability is vital for torn meniscus recovery.
How long does it take for a meniscus to heal?
How long does a torn meniscus take to heal? According to Cleveland Clinic, after torn meniscus surgery, the initial recovery time can be up to 2 weeks for patients to receive various physical therapy. The actual recovery time will depend on patient’s condition and recovery process. A patient’s physical therapy program after surgery can be divided into three main phases: 1 Regaining control of the leg muscles and weaning from crutches 2 Regaining full knee motion and strength 3 Returning to normal activity
What is a degenerative tear?
In degenerative tears, degenerative meniscal lesions are commonly found as the indication of an early stage of osteoarthritis for patients over age 35. Traumatic tears are longitudinal vertical tears especially in the red-red and red-white zones which are a proper indication for repair or non-removal.
How long does it take to recover from meniscus surgery?
Regaining full knee motion and strength. Returning to normal activity. Generally speaking, you should limit movement for up to 2 weeks after surgery to fix your meniscus. Sometimes it will take weeks or months before you can go back to your daily activities after surgery.
Can a torn meniscus heal on its own?
A torn meniscus is generally unable to heal on its own due to the limited blood supply in knee cartilage. For some patients, a tear does not get into trouble to cause severe pain and swelling. Others present with knee pain on the inner side of the knee is severe enough that they cannot walk, run, squat or twist.
What is the meniscus?
As we mentioned above, the meniscus is a piece of cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your thighbone and shinbone. Research shows that cartilage is filled with fluid to make up 75% of the cartilage tissue which helps to support weight from our body and lubricate joint surfaces.
Can you put weight on your knees if you have a torn meniscus?
Any activities that can cause pain or mechanical symptoms for your knees such as catching, clicking, or locking should be stopped immediately. Patients should avoid putting weight on their knees as much as possible.
Diagnosis
Treatment
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
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