Medication
Meniscus tears are the most frequently treated knee injuries. Recovery will take about 6 to 8 weeks if your meniscus tear is treated conservatively, without surgery. Why do meniscal lesions often require surgery to repair? Due to their lack of blood supply, these tears have a very unlikely chance of healing.
Procedures
Meniscus repair is considered when:
- the patient is healthy and wishes to remain active,
- the patient understands the rehabilitation, and accepts the risks of surgery,
- the meniscus tear is located in the periphery of the meniscus,
- the meniscus tissue is of good quality, and
- the surgeon is experienced in meniscus repair
Therapy
- Meniscus – It acts like a shock absorber for your knees and it’s located just between the tibia and femur. ...
- Ligaments – All the bones in our body are joined with ligaments. ...
- Tendons – Your muscles are connected with bones by tendons. ...
- Collateral ligaments – Collateral ligaments are found at the side of your knees. ...
Self-care
Over the years, there has been lots of confusion about when to operate on a meniscus tear. Majority of meniscus tears do not need surgery. A good orthopedic surgeon will recommend appropriate nonoperative treatment for most meniscus tears, and understands when to recommend surgery for a meniscus tear.
Nutrition
How long does a meniscus tear take to heal?
What is the recovery time for a meniscus repair?
What happens if you leave a torn meniscus untreated?
Does a meniscus tear always need surgery?
Can a meniscus tear heal on its own?
In the case of meniscus tears, some people think the injury will heal over time on its own. But the truth is that there are different types of meniscus tears — and some tears won't heal without treatment. If your tear is on the outer one-third of the meniscus, it may heal on its own or be repaired surgically.
How long does it take for a torn meniscus to heal without surgery?
Meniscus tears are the most frequently treated knee injuries. Recovery will take about 6 to 8 weeks if your meniscus tear is treated conservatively, without surgery. If your symptoms persist after 3 months or your symptoms become significant, your doctor may recommend surgery to repair the tear.
How quickly should a torn meniscus be repaired?
Meniscus repair is optimally performed within the first two months after meniscus tear to maximize meniscus healing. Walking on a knee that is 'locked' (does not fully straighten) may damage the meniscus further and make a tear unrepairable.
Can you walk with a torn meniscus?
A torn meniscus usually produces well-localized pain in the knee. The pain often is worse during twisting or squatting motions. Unless the torn meniscus has locked the knee, many people with a torn meniscus can walk, stand, sit, and sleep without pain.
What aggravates a torn meniscus?
You're most likely to injure your meniscus when suddenly twisting or turning while your foot is stationary and planted. You could injure your meniscus while playing sports, such as football, soccer, or baseball. You could also injure your meniscus off the field by lifting heavy boxes or slipping on a wet floor.
What percentage of meniscus tears require surgery?
Differing treatment It's important to know the differences between the tears because usually only acute traumatic tears are surgically repairable. Less than 10 percent of meniscal tears occurring in patients age 40 or older can be repaired.
Will my knee ever be the same after meniscus surgery?
Most meniscal surgeries (95%) are partial meniscectomies where part of the meniscus is actually removed, not just repaired. Therefore, the remaining meniscus is now smaller and does not perform as well.
Is meniscus surgery a major surgery?
Meniscus surgery is a common operation to remove or repair a torn meniscus, a piece of cartilage in the knee. The surgery requires a few small incisions and takes about an hour. Recovery and rehabilitation take a few weeks.
How do I know if I need meniscus surgery?
You might need meniscus surgery if you have severely torn your meniscus. A torn meniscus is a very common knee injury, which happens when you twist or rotate your knee, while putting your entire weight on it. Similar to ankle sprains, meniscus tears are given ratings or grades to classify how serious the injury is.
What are 3 signs of a meniscus tear in the knee?
SymptomsA popping sensation.Swelling or stiffness.Pain, especially when twisting or rotating your knee.Difficulty straightening your knee fully.Feeling as though your knee is locked in place when you try to move it.Feeling of your knee giving way.
What should I avoid with a torn meniscus?
The only way to prevent and avoid a torn meniscus is to avoid activities that cause the knees to twist, bend, or rotate in an extreme fashion. If a person cannot avoid these activities, they should take as much care as possible while participating in them.
What is the best exercise for a torn meniscus?
Once you have your doctor's approval to begin exercising, try some of these exercises to enhance your strength and stability following a meniscus tear.Quadriceps setting. ... Mini-squats. ... Straight leg raise. ... Hamstring heel digs. ... Leg extensions. ... Standing heel raises. ... Clams. ... Hamstring curls.
What is the treatment for a meniscus tear?
A meniscal tear is an injury of the meniscus—a strong, supportive, and flexible tissue in your knee, and it can often be treated non-operatively. Non-surgical treatments for meniscus tear may include: Physical therapy. Strengthening exercises. Anti-inflammatory medications.
Why are meniscus tears not repaired?
Tears in the white-white non-vascular zone of the meniscus are not typically repaired because the lack of blood supply doesn't promote healing. When surgery is done for a central tear, the torn tissue has to be removed.
Why is meniscus repair surgery needed?
Why Meniscus Repair Surgery Is Needed. Surgical treatments include meniscectomy (partial or complete removal of the meniscus) or a repair of the tear. Meniscus tears that cause mechanical symptoms tend to respond well to surgical treatment. A mechanical symptom is caused by the torn meniscus physically impeding the normal movement of the knee.
What is partial meniscectomy?
A partial meniscectomy, which is partial meniscus removal, is usually done with a minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery. A partial meniscectomy is the removal of only the torn segment of the meniscus. This works very well over the short and long-term if the meniscus tear is relatively small. But for some large meniscus tears, a sufficient portion ...
What is mechanical symptom?
A mechanical symptom is caused by the torn meniscus physically impeding the normal movement of the knee. Common mechanical symptoms include: These injuries are surgically treated either with a partial meniscectomy or a meniscus repair to place the edges together with sutures or tacks. 1 .
What is the procedure to repair a meniscus?
During the Surgery. A repair involves reapproximating the torn edges of the meniscus to allow them to heal in their proper position so they won't get caught in the knee or cause mechanical symptoms. Techniques of meniscus repair include: Arthroscopic placement of tacks. Suturing the torn edges.
Why does cartilage wear away after meniscus removal?
This is thought to be due to a loss of cushioning and the diminished stability of the knee joint that occur s after a meniscus is removed. A partial meniscectomy, which is partial meniscus removal, is usually done with a minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery. ...
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 meniscus in the knee?
Meniscus Repair. The meniscus is the soft rubbery bumper cushion that sits between the thigh bone and the leg bone. There are two menisci in the knee; a medial (inside) and a lateral (outside) meniscus. These structures act as shock absorbers that decrease the stress seen by the articular cartilage found on the end of the thigh bone and leg bone.
How long after knee surgery can you run?
Most patients can put weight on the knee soon after surgery, although a brace may be used. Running is usually delayed until 3-4 months after surgery while a full return to sports and squatting typically occurs after 4-6 months.
Can meniscus tears be repaired?
However, most meniscus tears are not considered repairable. The meniscus has a limited blood supply, and tears in areas of little or no blood flow have a high risk of not healing. The pattern of the tear is also important. It is not always possible to predict whether a meniscus tear is repairable prior to surgery.
Can a meniscus tear cause a swollen knee?
Once the meniscus is torn, symptoms like locking, clicking, and catching may occur due to the torn fragment. In addition, patients will frequently notice swelling in the knee.
Can MRI confirm meniscus tear?
If there is some question regarding the diagnosis and MRI can be obtained to confirm a tear. Most tears remain symptomatic and will ultimately require treatment if they interfere with activities of daily living or sports and recreation activities. Click here to view a video and learn more about meniscus tears.
Is swelling in the knee normal?
In addition, patients will frequently notice swelling in the knee. The pain will be localized along the joint line on the inside or the outside of the knee depending on the tear. The diagnosis is made based upon a history and physical exam and frequently special tests. X-rays are often normal.
Can meniscus repair be performed at the same time as ACL reconstruction?
As a result, the success rates of meniscus repair are higher when an ACL reconstruction is performed at the same time.
How to repair a meniscus tear?
If your doctor’s exam shows your meniscus tear is mild (Grade 1 or 2), you may not need surgery. If it’s Grade 3, you probably will. Your doctor might choose to do any of the following: 1 Arthroscopic repair. Your doctor will make small cuts in your knee. They’ll insert an arthroscope to get a good look at the tear. Then they’ll place small devices that look like darts along the tear to stitch it up. Your body will absorb these over time. 2 Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. Your doctor will remove a piece of the torn meniscus so your knee can function normally. 3 Arthroscopic total meniscectomy. During this procedure, your doctor will remove the whole meniscus.
What happens if you tear your meniscus?
If you tear your meniscus, your leg might swell and feel stiff. You might feel pain when twisting your knee, or be unable to straighten your leg fully.
What to do if you have a grade 3 knee tear?
If it’s Grade 3, you probably will. Your doctor might choose to do any of the following: Arthroscopic repair. Your doctor will make small cuts in your knee. They’ll insert an arthroscope to get a good look at the tear. Then they’ll place small devices that look like darts along the tear to stitch it up.
How long does it take to recover from a meniscus surgery?
They may also share some exercises you can do at home. If you have a partial or total meniscectomy, you can expect your recovery to take about a month. If your meniscus was repaired, it may take as long as 3 months.
How to keep your knee stable?
You may have to wear a brace or cast to keep your knee stable. You’ll likely also have to use crutches for at least a month to keep weight off your knee. Your doctor may recommend physical therapy as part of your recovery. It’ll help increase your range of motion and help your knee get stronger.
Can you have surgery for a knee injury?
This will help to strengthen the muscles around your knee and keep it stable. If these treatments don’t work -- or if your injury is severe -- they might recommend surgery. To be sure, your doctor will probably have an MRI done. And they might look at the tear with an arthroscope.
Can a doctor remove a torn meniscus?
Your doctor will remove a piece of the torn meniscus so your knee can function normally. Arthroscopic total meniscectomy. During this procedure, your doctor will remove the whole meniscus. Meniscus repair is low-risk. Complications are rare. They may include injury to skin nerves, infections, and knee stiffness.
How to know if you have a meniscus tear?
With a meniscus tear, your knee might feel painful, swollen, and/or extra stiff. You might also feel like your knee is popping.
How to heal a knee tear?
Ice: Wrap a cold pack in a towel or rag and ice your injured knee for 20 minutes at a time, multiple times throughout the day. For your own safety, never ice your knee directly.
How long does it take for a knee to heal after meniscus surgery?
You’ll feel worn out for a few days after your surgery and your knee might feel numb for several days, due to the incisions your surgeon made. Your recovery time ultimately depends on the type of surgery you received, as meniscus repair surgery takes longer to heal than a meniscectomy.
How long after meniscus surgery can you drive?
After meniscus repair surgery, you can put weight on your knee while wearing a brace; move without crutches within 4-6 weeks; drive a car between 4-6 weeks; get full range of motion after at least 4-6 weeks; and play sports after 3-6 months. Question 6. of 10:
How to recover from a sprain?
1. Follow the RICE method. “RICE” is an acronym for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation, which are the four main things you need to recover safely and comfortably at home. After your injury, the RICE method helps reduce any swelling and discomfort while encouraging flexibility and recovery in the process.
Can a tear in the meniscus heal itself?
Yes, but it depends on how bad the tear is. Small tears along the outer third of your meniscus can heal independently, and might not need surgery. However, tears along the inner two-thirds of your meniscus will probably need surgery.
Can meniscus tears be repaired?
Unfortunately, most meniscus tears can’t be repaired, so partial meniscectomies are more common. [10]
How long does it take to repair a meniscus?
Length of arthroscopic meniscus repair. Arthroscopic meniscus repair generally takes between an hour and an hour and a half. Depending on how much other surgery is necessary to take care of other problems in the knee, the time may be a bit more or less.
What is meniscus replacement?
Meniscus replacement is considered for young, active patients who have previously had most of their meniscus removed, and develop pain in the area without having advanced degenerative changes to the articular (gliding surface) cartilage. Please see meniscus replacement for additional information.
What causes pain in the knee joint?
These symptoms are made worse with pivoting motions, squatting, and vigorous activities. Torn meniscus fragments can get caught in the knee joint and cause catching sensations.
What is the importance of meniscus?
The meniscus is an important structure for load transmission and shock absorption in the knee. The knee is subjected to up to 5 times body weight during activity, and half this force is transmitted through the meniscus with the knee straight, and 85% of the force goes through the meniscus with the knee bent ninety degrees. Loss of the meniscus increases the pressure on the articular (gliding) cartilage, which leads to degenerative changes. A successful meniscus repair preserves meniscus tissue and mitigates these changes.
Where to perform arthroscopic meniscus repair?
The surgery should be performed in a hospital or outpatient surgical center that handles a large volume of arthroscopic knee surgeries.
How long after surgery do you take narcotic pain medication?
Patients require narcotic pain medications an average of 2-5 days after surgery.
Where is the meniscus tear located?
Meniscus repair is considered when: the patient is healthy and wishes to remain active, the patient understands the rehabilitation, and accepts the risks of surgery, the meniscus tear is located in the periphery of the meniscus, the meniscus tissue is of good quality, and. the surgeon is experienced in meniscus repair.
How to recover from a meniscus tear?
The inner portion of your meniscus lacks this blood flow. That part of your meniscus gets its nutrients from the synovial fluid within your knee capsule. Moving your knee will produce more synovial fluid and thus improves the recovery of your meniscus tear. The best way to do this is by riding a stationary bike.
How much does it cost to repair a meniscus tear?
The recovery without exercises takes a little bit longer but comes without side effects. Surgery costs about $10,000 and also increases your risk of developing osteoarthritis. A total knee replacement because of that later in life will cost an ...
Why is my knee blue?
You can also experience some instability of your knee. That is because your femur and tibia don’t fit together anymore. A bucket Handle tear is one of the most common forms of a severe meniscus tear. Usually, swelling kicks in right after the injury, and your knee might become blue after 1-2 days.
Why does my knee turn blue after a meniscus tear?
That is because of a popped blood vessel inside the meniscus or the surrounding tissue and the inflammatory process that starts to clean up the damage. Walking is usually very difficult after a severe meniscus tear.
What happens when your knee locks?
Now, this part of the meniscus can move freely inside the joint space. It can cause your knee to pop or lock. When your knee locks, you may not be able to bend it for some time. You can also experience some instability of your knee.
How to stop twitching in knee?
Give your knee rest and support by applying ice every 2 hours and wear this knee brace. It will reduce the pressure on your knee and meniscus for immediate relief and prevents sudden twitches of your knee. Put this anti-inflammatory cream on your knee to reduce swelling and inflammation and thus your pain.
What is the function of the meniscus?
You have 2 in each knee laying next to each other. Its function is to improve the stability of your knee and improve its movements.
