Medication
- Rest: Avoid the sport or activity that caused your tear in the first place, and use crutches as needed to get around.
- 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. ...
- Compression: Wrap an elastic compression bandage around your injured knee. ...
Procedures
Your meniscal tear will commonly take up to six or eight weeks to fully heal. As mentioned previously, some meniscal tears will require surgery. Your physiotherapist will guide you as to what is most likely for your knee injury. Herein, can a torn meniscus heal on its own?
Therapy
The following are some of the things that can develop if your torn meniscus is left untreated: –Pieces of your meniscus can become loose and enter your knee joint, potentially causing excruciating pain or limiting your range of motion. –Pain, swelling, and inflammation can increase over time.
Self-care
Yes, but here’s the thing: A meniscus tear will heal only if the tear is located at the part of the meniscus with blood supply (i.e. the red zone). Luckily, only 19% of the meniscus tears happen in the part with no circulation (i.e. the white zone), so most tears can heal naturally to some degree. ( 7)
Nutrition
How to heal a torn meniscus naturally?
How long does a torn meniscus take to heal?
What happens if you leave a torn meniscus untreated?
Can torn meniscus heal itself?
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 to recover from a meniscus tear in your knee?
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. The time varies, depending on: the type and severity of the tear.
Can you walk on 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.
How do they fix a torn meniscus?
It's sometimes possible to repair a torn meniscus, especially in children and younger adults. If the tear can't be repaired, the meniscus might be surgically trimmed, possibly through tiny incisions using an arthroscope. After surgery, you will need to do exercises to increase and maintain knee strength and stability.
Will walking on a torn meniscus make it worse?
Continuing to walk on the affected leg can aggravate your symptoms, making pain and stiffness worse in as little as a few days. Plus, suffering a torn meniscus may also increase your risk of complications, like developing osteoarthritis in that knee.
Can you walk immediately after meniscus surgery?
Arthroscopic surgery for a torn meniscus (meniscectomy) It may take 4-5 months for full healing. The patient should be able to bear weight on the knee while standing or walking, immediately after surgery. Crutches will be necessary for 2-7 days after surgery.
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 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 is the best painkiller for knee pain?
Over-the-counter medications — such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) — may help ease knee pain. Some people find relief by rubbing the affected knee with creams containing a numbing agent, such as lidocaine, or capsaicin, the substance that makes chili peppers hot.
Is meniscus repair surgery painful?
Arthroscopic meniscus repair is moderately painful. Because more soft tissue surgery is performed, it is more painful than a standard arthroscopy, but less painful than a ligament reconstruction or another procedure that requires drilling holes through the bone.
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.
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.
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 fastest way to recover from meniscus surgery?
You will recover more quickly if you carefully follow all your doctor's instructions. In your first days after surgery, you will need apply ice frequently and elevate your knee above your heart to help relieve swelling. Be sure to get plenty of sleep, to help your body heal.
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 are the long term effects of a torn meniscus?
Knees with known meniscal injury have accelerated cartilage wear, leading to early onset of osteoarthritis. Studies report that meniscus tears can lead to osteoarthritis of the knee, and conversely, OA of the knee can cause degenerative meniscus tears.
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 help knee pain?
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 .
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 surgery for a knee tear?
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. Avoid activities that aggravate your knee pain, especially any activity that causes you to twist, rotate or pivot your knee.
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 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 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]
Why is the inner third of the meniscus not healing?
The inner third (white zone), however, will not because of the lack of circulation. The middle third (red-white) zone can heal but it might not fully recover or take a while longer. Damage to the inner and middle thirds of the meniscus may require surgery to reduce joint pain and swelling.
What is the goal of meniscus surgery?
All in all, the goal of treatment, natural or otherwise, is to control both pain and inflammation, get your range of motion back to normal, and help get you stronger muscles. If you had the injury from a certain sport, an added goal would be to improve certain mechanics that may have contributed to your meniscus injury.
How to stabilize knees?
It also helps stabilize the knee. Focus on your quads and hamstrings during this stage. For your quads, you could place a rolled towel under your knees and attempt to push it down. The towel helps keep your knees in a slightly bent position while preventing movement.
How to stretch your knees on your own?
When you can fully extend your knees on your own, move on to straight leg raises: While lying down on your back with your uninjured leg bent to about 90 degrees, raise your injured leg about 6-12 inches up, hold for 3-5 seconds, then slowly bring it back down. Relax and repeat a total of 10 times.
How to heal a broken knee?
Rest – Again, this may also mean walking with crutches. This takes all or some pressure away from your knee, allowing the injury to heal unhampered. Ice – Theoretically, ice (i.e. cryotherapy) slows down your body’s inflammatory response to trauma which then reduces swelling and pain.
How to recover from a knee injury?
While your knee injury is still recovering, start with isometric exercises. These are exercises where you contract your muscles without moving the joint. This helps preserve the strength of your muscles while you’re unable to participate in full-on exercise. It also helps stabilize the knee.
Do you have to use crutches in the beginning?
Just a few notes though: When using crutches, you likely will have to use 2 of them in the beginning.
How to treat a meniscus tear?
1) Non-Surgical Treatment: In the early stages, meniscus tear treatment aims to reduce the pain and inflammation through the use of ice, medication and occasionally knee braces . For the long term, the best meniscus tear treatment is exercises to strengthen the knee and regain full movement. 2) Surgical Treatment: where part ...
How to heal a torn meniscus?
Strengthening Exercises. The stronger the knee muscles are, the less weight goes through the knee joint and therefore the torn meniscus. Muscles lose strength after just a few days of rest so it is vital to build up strength as soon as possible.
What exercises can help with meniscus tear?
There are two main aims with meniscus tear treatment exercises: 1) Regain full range of movement: knee bending and straightening. 2) Regain full strength: of the quads, hamstrings and glutes. Here we will look of a range of meniscus tear treatment exercises that can help.
What to do if knee is stuck in one position?
If you have problems with persitent locking at the knee (i.e. it gets stuck in one position), or your symptoms fail to settle, you may well need surgical meniscus tear treatment, usually an arthroscopy. You can find out more about this in the Meniscus Tear section. Knee Pain Guide. ›.
How to get your knee to stop getting stiff?
Action: Relax your leg and straighten the knee allowing gravity to help it to stretch down into a straighter position. Hold for 1-2 minutes then gently bend and straighten your knee a few times to stop it getting stiff.
How to get rid of a swollen knee?
Hold for 3-5 secs and slowly lower. Repetition: repeat 10-20 times, 3x daily. Progression: 1) Increase the size of the towel under the knee 2) Add a weight e.g. by wearing a shoe, or using a light ankle weight. Progress further by using a heavier weight.
What is the purpose of a medial meniscus tear?
Purpose: Strengthen the buttock muscles (glutes) to help support the knee and prevent excessive weight going through the inner side of the knee, a majority of tears are medial meniscus tears.
How to heal a torn meniscus?
The goals of physical therapy for a torn meniscus typically include: 1 Improve knee ROM 2 Improve strength of your muscles around your knee 3 Decrease knee swelling 4 Decrease knee pain 5 Improve functional mobility of your knee and entire lower extremity 6 Learn strategies to prevent future knee problems
How to know if you need surgery for a meniscus tear?
Persistent knee swelling. The best way to know if you need surgery is by working closely with your surgeon and physical therapist for your knee meniscus tear. Knee pain due to OA and a meniscus tear can limit your ability to perform your normal daily work and recreational activities.
How to tell if you have a meniscus tear in your knee?
Symptoms of a meniscus tear in your knee may include: Knee pain. Knee swelling. Locking of your knee joint. Loss of knee range of motion (ROM) Decreased strength in your quadriceps or hamstrings and the muscles around your knee. Difficulty rising from sitting, walking and running, or climbing and descending stairs.
What to do if you have a meniscus tear?
Physical therapy should be the first choice when managing the pain and functional limitation that may come with a knee meniscus tear. Your therapist can help you regain normal motion and strength and help you return to your previous level of activity.
What are the goals of physical therapy for a torn meniscus?
The goals of physical therapy for a torn meniscus typically include: Improve knee ROM. Improve strength of your muscles around your knee. Decrease knee swelling. Decrease knee pain.
Can a meniscus tear cause pain in the knee?
The meniscus can become frayed or torn. Occasionally, wear and tear from degenerative conditions like arthritis can cause a meniscus tear in your knee. When this happens, pain in your knee may result. Your knee joint may also become swollen, and it may catch or lock when moving in certain positions.
What is the cartilaginous structure in the knee?
The Meniscus. The meniscus—or meniscii when speaking of them in plural—is a small cartilaginous structure in your knee. You have two in each knee, one on the inner aspect of the joint and one on the outer aspect.
Diagnosis
Treatment
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
Preparing For Your Appointment
