Full Answer
How long should I do physical therapy for a torn meniscus?
Feb 16, 2022 · What is the best exercise for a torn meniscus? Meniscus Tear: Rehabilitation Exercises . Meniscus Tears. Quad Sets. Straight-Leg Raise to the Front. Straight-Leg Raise to the Back. Hamstring Curls. Heel Raises. Heel Dig Bridging. Shallow Standing Knee Bends. How long does a torn meniscus take to heal without surgery?
What are the treatment options for meniscus tears?
Jul 29, 2012 · RICE Protocol for a Meniscus Tear. The Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation protocol, or RICE protocol, is recommended to clients. The RICE protocol aims to minimize the swelling, reduce the pain, normalize the gait, encourage normal range of motion of the knee, prevent muscle wasting, and maintain proprioception (Baker, 2011). Adherence to this …
What factors should be considered when creating a meniscus treatment plan?
Feb 16, 2022 · Patients commonly inquire if it is possible to rehab a damaged meniscus without surgery. In most cases, the answer is “yes,” but only if the tear is not particularly long in duration. The first line of treatment for a meniscus tear in a stable knee is to refrain from engaging in activities that generate discomfort.
Does arthroscopic meniscal repair improve results for traumatic meniscal tears?
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 here. Work with your doctor and physical
What are the management options for a meniscus tear?
Your doctor might recommend:Rest. Avoid activities that aggravate your knee pain, especially any activity that causes you to twist, rotate or pivot your knee. ... Ice. Ice can reduce knee pain and swelling. ... Medication. Over-the-counter pain relievers also can help ease knee pain.Jan 6, 2022
How long is rehab for meniscus?
As part of a conservative treatment, you'll probably try PT for around 4 to 6 weeks, on a regular schedule. Also, you must regularly exercise at home the way you are taught. If it doesn't work, then it may be time for surgery.May 13, 2021
What is rehabilitation after meniscus repair?
Starting rehabilitation training is overall supported after a mean period of 5.6 weeks (SD: 1.5 weeks) and specific training after a mean period of 14.6 weeks (SD: 5.4 weeks) (see Figure 4). Early rehabilitation after meniscus repair including weight bearing, range of motion, CAM/CPM therapy, and use of orthosis.Mar 29, 2020
How do you rehab a torn meniscus?
For the best results, both home and in-person physical therapy exercises should be done. We recommend exercising at least 3 times per week after surgery. Rehab usually lasts 4 to 8 weeks. After this time, your therapist and surgeon may clear you to perform gym-based exercises.Jan 5, 2021
What is the difference between meniscus repair and Meniscectomy?
Meniscus Tear Removal vs. There are two basic approaches to treating a torn meniscus: removing the torn part of the meniscus (a procedure called a meniscectomy); repairing the meniscus by suturing the torn parts together.
How do you rehab a torn meniscus without surgery?
Nonsurgical treatmentsRest. Try to rest your knee for a few days and keep pressure off it.Ice. Putting ice on your knee for 10 to 15 minutes at a time can help reduce any swelling.Compression. You can also reduce swelling by wrapping your knee with an elastic bandage or wearing a knee brace.Elevation.Dec 21, 2020
When should you start rehab after meniscus surgery?
Approximately 4 weeks after surgery, patients typically begin to perform higher level activities during physical therapy visits. With your physical therapist's guidance at 4 to 6 weeks, you will begin the gradual transition back to your sport.
What exercises should you do after meniscus surgery?
How do I do exercise to heal my meniscus?Quad sets.Straight-leg raise to the front.Straight-leg raise to the back.Hamstring curls.Heel raises.Heel dig bridging.Shallow standing knee bends.
When should I start physio after meniscus surgery?
This phase usually starts 2-3 weeks after your knee surgery. Manage your swelling by continuing to use cold therapy and elevation, especially after exercise or physiotherapy sessions. exercises. IMPORTANT: if you had a Meniscal Repair you should not force flexion (bending) in the first 12 weeks.
What exercises not to do with a torn meniscus?
Avoiding twisting activities may decrease the symptoms from a torn meniscus. Additionally, one should do quadriceps setting exercises with the knee straight or mini-squats, bending only to 15 degrees, to prevent giving way and keep the quadriceps muscle from atrophying.
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.
How many repetitions of heel dig bridging?
The heel dig bridging exercise works your hamstrings and the muscles around yourlower body and hips. Do 8 to 12 repetitions. Do not continue with this exercise if itcauses pain.
Does a meniscus tear heal?
Tears at the outer edge (red zone) tend to heal well because there is agood blood supply. The inner area (white zone) lacks a good blood supply andtherefore does not heal well.
What is the difference between medial and lateral meniscus?
The medial meniscus is “U” shaped covering around 60% of the medial compartment whereas the lateral meniscus is more “C” with a shorter distance between its anterior and posterior horns covering 80% of the lateral compartment[6]. Meniscal tissue consists mainly of water and type I collagen fibres[7].
How accurate is MRI for meniscal tear?
MRI scans are only 80%-90% accurate at diagnosing meniscal tears initially and even less accurate post-operatively. High signal in the meniscal tissue can represent oedema, degeneration, an actual tear or a healing tear post repair[56].
What is the most common pathology of the knee?
Meniscal tears are the most common pathology of the knee with a mean annual incidence of 66 per 100000[1]. Historically it was believed that the menisci served no functional purpose and they were often excised with open total meniscectomy[2].
Does a meniscus tear heal?
The blood supply is fundamental to the success of a meniscal repair. Only tears in the red-red or possibly the red-white zone are expected to heal. The absence of blood vessels in the remaining meniscus prevents widespread use of meniscal repair and patients are subjected to meniscectomy.
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, ...
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.
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.
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. ...
Why do meniscus tears heal?
Tears in the outer 1/3 of the meniscus have healing potential because there is blood flow to that area. However, tears in the inner 2/3 generally do not heal well as a result of poor circulation.
What is the role of the medial meniscus in the knee?
The meniscus is a shock absorber that helps optimize force transmission across the knee and protects the cartilage at the end of our femur and tibia. The medial meniscus is also a secondary stabilizer to the ACL as it can prevent anterior translation (forward shifting) of the tibia.
What is the meniscus in the knee?
The meniscus is a C-shaped tissue between your femur (thigh bone) and your tibia (shin bone). Each knee has a medial (inner side) meniscus and a lateral (outer side) meniscus. The meniscus is composed of water, collagen, proteins, and other cellular elements. Via OrthoInfo.
How long does it take for knee pain to come back?
If your discomfort does in fact increase during/after exercises, it must come back down to your baseline levels within 24 hours.
Do meniscus tears need surgery?
All meniscus tears do not require surgery. Surgery is indicated if you have mechanical symptoms such as locking. Otherwise, you should try conservative management first. This includes NSAIDs (anti-inflammatories), physical therapy, and finally – injections.
What muscles do you use for a thigh lift?
This exercise is great because you have to tighten your thigh and use your quadriceps muscle – no matter what direction we lift. We also get the added benefit of working on the hip flexors, abduction, extensors, and adductors as well!
Can you do physical therapy for meniscal injuries?
Nima Mehran mentioned, most meniscal injuries respond very well to physical therapy – as long as there are no mechanical symptoms presents or complex meniscal injuries. Again, if you have mechanical symptoms like locking or catching/clicking with pain please go and see an orthopedic surgeon in your local area for a consultation. If you do NOT have mechanical symptoms, then check out the exercises below from a comprehensive early phase knee rehab program to help get your knee back on track! These exercises are just some of the MANY that you can perform. Furthermore, this program is j ust for early phase rehab, once you have progressed past exercises like these, you can perform just about ANY leg exercise, with an emphasis on the quadriceps!
Diagnosis
- A torn meniscus often can be identified during a physical exam. Your doctor might move your knee and leg into different positions, watch you walk, and ask you to squat to help pinpoint the cause of your signs and symptoms.
Treatment
- Treatment for a torn meniscus often begins conservatively, depending on the type, size and location of your tear. 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. Yo…
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- Avoid activities that aggravate your knee pain — especially sports that involve pivoting or twisting your knee — until the pain disappears. Ice and over-the-counter pain relievers can be helpful.
Preparing For Your Appointment
- The pain and disability associated with a torn meniscus prompt many people to seek emergency care. Others make an appointment with their family doctors. Depending upon the severity of your injury, you might be referred to a doctor specializing in sports medicine or a specialist in bone and joint surgery (orthopedic surgeon).