how to repair torn cartilage in knee without surgery

Treatment for a meniscus tear will depend on its size, what kind it is, and where it’s located within the cartilage. Most likely, your doctor will recommend that you rest, use pain relievers, and apply ice to you knee to keep the swelling down. He may also suggest physical therapy.

Full Answer

How do you repair torn cartilage in the knee?

Some long-standing approaches include surgery to repair torn cartilage or knee joint replacement. In addition to these, there are now minimally invasive treatments using cartilage taken from elsewhere in the body or regenerated from a person’s own cells.

What causes a knee cartilage tear?

(Symptoms, Treatment, and Surgery) Knee cartilage tears are often caused by sports injuries, but they can result from any activity involving twisting or bending of the knee.

Is meniscus surgery necessary for torn cartilage?

Why Meniscus Repair May Be Necessary. Your surgeon may offer a meniscus repair as a possible treatment option for damaged or torn cartilage. Years ago, if a patient had torn cartilage, and surgery was necessary, the entire meniscus was removed. These patients actually did quite well after the surgery.

Is it possible to rebuild cartilage?

Although it is not possible to rebuild cartilage, some joints that are constantly painful may be replaced through surgery. Not all joints are eligible for this procedure, and the most common are the hips and knees. In most cases, an artificial joint is implanted into the body to replace the defective one.

Can torn cartilage in knee heal itself?

Treatment for torn cartilage depends on the extent and location of the tear. A severe tear can cause the cartilage to deteriorate over time, meaning surgery may be recommended. Torn cartilage cannot heal very well on its own, because it does not usually have its own blood supply; it must therefore be repaired.

How long does a torn cartilage in the knee take to heal?

Recovery time is 6 to 8 weeks with conservative treatment. Physical therapy generally leads to a good outcome. It's best to see a doctor for diagnosis of knee pain and a treatment plan.

Can you walk with a torn cartilage in your knee?

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 do you do for a torn knee cartilage?

rest the affected joint. elevate the affected limb and apply an ice pack to the joint regularly. take ordinary painkillers, such as paracetamol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen.

What vitamin is good for cartilage?

Most people do not realize just how important Vitamin C is for their health. It plays a pivotal role in the production of collagen, which is the main structural protein of your body's connective tissues, like cartilage and tendons.

What does a cartilage tear in the knee feel like?

A popping sensation. Swelling or stiffness. Pain, especially when twisting or rotating your knee. Difficulty straightening your knee fully.

How do you heal a torn knee cartilage naturally?

To speed the recovery, you can:Rest the knee. ... Ice your knee to reduce pain and swelling. ... Compress your knee. ... Elevate your knee with a pillow under your heel when you're sitting or lying down.Take anti-inflammatory medications. ... Use stretching and strengthening exercises to help reduce stress to your knee.More items...•

Will a knee brace help 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.

Is Torn cartilage the same as torn meniscus?

2 When cartilage is damaged, it is often described as a tear of the cartilage. Meniscus tears are common knee injuries, but tears can also happen in the articular cartilage. When someone refers to a tear in the cartilage, they are usually talking about the meniscus cartilage.

Is walking good for torn meniscus?

If your doctor has told you that you don't need surgery to repair your torn meniscus, you may be given the green light to walk. However, you'll want to be very careful about movements that might worsen the tear or cause you pain. Avoid squatting and pivoting, which are likely to place too much pressure on the knee.

Is there artificial cartilage for knees?

For patients who want to avoid or postpone a knee replacement that may only last 20 years, artificial cartilage can help. Hydrogels have been explored for use as a cartilage substitute since the 1970s and are used in soft contact lenses and disposable diapers.

What is the difference between a torn cartilage and a torn meniscus?

The meniscus is a different type of cartilage. This type acts as a shock absorber between bones. 1 The meniscus is not attached to the bone like articular cartilage. Instead, it sits between the bone ends to cushion the joint.

Is walking good for a torn meniscus?

If your doctor has told you that you don't need surgery to repair your torn meniscus, you may be given the green light to walk. However, you'll want to be very careful about movements that might worsen the tear or cause you pain. Avoid squatting and pivoting, which are likely to place too much pressure on the knee.

What causes cartilage loss in the knee?

Cartilage loss in the knee joint can also result from injury to the knee, including anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures, meniscus tears, and patellar (kneecap) dislocations that increase the risk of cartilage damage and development of knee osteoarthritis in the future. 1.

What is the most common type of surgical procedure performed to repair, remove, or replace damaged cartilage in the knee joint?

Knee arthroscopy is the most common type of surgical procedure performed to repair, remove, or replace damaged cartilage in the knee joint that can be causing pain and limiting range of motion of the knee joint.

Why does cartilage wear down?

Cartilage in the knee begins to wear down over time from repetitive stress to the knee joint. Prolonged sitting and standing often result in increased discomfort, and weight-bearing activities like walking, squatting, and going up and down stairs can be very challenging and painful without adequate cartilage for cushioning and support. 1

How many injections of hyaluronic acid for knee?

With viscosupplementation, you may receive between one and five injections. If there is excess swelling and fluid buildup in the knee joint, your healthcare provider will use a needle to aspirate, or remove, the fluid before injecting the hyaluronic acid. You should avoid prolonged standing, walking, jogging, running, or heavy lifting for the first 48 hours after receiving a hyaluronic acid injection. 4

Why do you need knee braces?

Knee braces are strongly recommended for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis to help decrease pain and improve function. 3.

Why do muscles around the knees help?

The muscles surrounding the knee help support the knee joint. When they are weak, the bones of the knee joint are subject to increased pressure and a higher risk of cartilage breakdown. Strengthening the muscles around the knees and hips helps offload the knee joint and support your body weight so that less pressure is applied to the joint surfaces and surrounding cartilage. 3

How does weight affect cartilage?

Losing extra body weight can help decrease symptoms of cartilage loss by reducing the pressure applied on the knee joints and slowing down inflammatory processes caused by metabolically disrupting fat cells. 2

What is the procedure to repair a torn cartilage?

Surgery to Repair Torn Cartilage. Arthroscopic surgery is commonly used to treat cartilage tears, such as a torn meniscus in the knee. This surgical method allows the surgeon to see, diagnose, and treat problems inside a joint in a minimally invasive manner, thereby causing less trauma to the tissue and enabling quicker healing afterward.

How to treat a small tear in cartilage?

For small cartilage tears causing minor symptoms, noninvasive and holistic treatments such as the RICE method – rest, ice, compression, and elevation – are first recommended.

What Is Cartilage?

Articular cartilage is the protective tissue that covers the ends of our bones in the joints. It provides a tough, shock-absorbing layer that provides cushioning between the bones, thereby facilitating smooth movement. Different types of cartilage can be found elsewhere in the body, such as the nose and ears.

What is the most common type of joint injury?

Cartilage tears are a common type of joint injury, particularly in sports. It most frequently affects the cartilage in the knee, and this piece of cartilage is called the meniscus – but cartilage in the joints such as the shoulder, hip, ankle, and elbow are also often injured.

What to do if the Rice method doesn't work?

If the RICE method doesn’t work to relieve the pain or the disabling condition of the injured joint, then your orthopedist may recommend physical therapy and changes to your lifestyle which may be exacerbating the injury.

Where is cartilage found in the body?

Different types of cartilage can be found elsewhere in the body, such as the nose and ears. The menisci in the knee are specialized cartilage structures that aid stability and act as shock absorbers to cushion the joint and protect the bones from rubbing against each other.

Can a torn meniscus be repaired?

A small torn meniscus that is damaged on the outer section of the meniscus may not require surgery, as the blood supply is better in that region and can therefore heal on its own eventually. Some tears, however, can cause the joint to become unstable, which means that surgery may be necessary.

How to treat knee cartilage loss?

If the loss of knee cartilage and symptoms are minor, you may be able to put off surgery or other interventions through physical therapy.

What is the procedure called when you replace cartilage in your knee?

A similar procedure, called osteochondral allograft, is done using donor tissue.

What type of cartilage is in the knee?

Knees contain two types of cartilage: articular and meniscus. Articular cartilage helps the knee move freely. Meniscus cartilage serves as a cushion or shock absorber between the bones.

How to stimulate cartilage growth?

One way to stimulate the growth of new cartilage is through microfracture. In this procedure, tiny holes are drilled in one or more bones in the knee joint to stimulate greater blood flow and the release of cells that form new cartilage .

How much does microfracture surgery cost?

The cost of microfracture surgery is around $4,000, making it less expensive than some other knee repair procedures.

What is the procedure to replace a bone in the knee?

During the procedure, a surgeon removes the damaged cartilage and a portion of underlying bone. Picture the coring of an apple. Then a replacement “core,” made of bone and cartilage from another part of the body or a donor knee, is used to fill in the hole. Usually, no screws or mechanical devices are needed to secure the replacement tissue.

What is the best way to repair a torn knee joint?

Advances in orthopedic medicine provide many options for treating knee injuries. Some long-standing approaches include surgery to repair torn cartilage or knee joint replacement. In addition to these, there are now minimally invasive treatments using cartilage taken from elsewhere in the body or regenerated from a person’s own cells.

What are the procedures to repair articular cartilage tears?

In the case of articular cartilage tears, procedures that may help include drilling, burring, or microfracturing, with the goal of stimulating the bone and creating scar cartilage. These techniques are often used on younger patients and athletes with isolated defects in their articular cartilage.

What to do if you tore your knee?

surgery. After an exam, your doctor may recommend surgery to repair the torn cartilage in your knee. Depending on your specific injury, the condition of your cartilage and bone, and any underlying medical conditions you may have, your orthopedist may recommend one of the following:

What part of the knee is injured?

What part of your knee cartilage have you injured? The two most common types of knee cartilage injury are: Articular cartilage tears, affecting the cartilage covering the ends of your bones at the knee joint. An injury to this cartilage is called a chondral injury.

What are the different types of knee cartilage?

What part of your knee cartilage have you injured? The two most common types of knee cartilage injury are: 1 Articular cartilage tears, affecting the cartilage covering the ends of your bones at the knee joint. An injury to this cartilage is called a chondral injury. Chondral injury is commonly seen in cyclists, runners, skiers, and soccer players. 2 Meniscus tears, affecting the c-shaped shock absorbers located on either side of your knee joint. Meniscus tears can happen to anyone at any age, but are particularly common in athletes who play contact sports like hockey or football.

How do you know if you have a cartilage tear?

How do you know if you've sustained a cartilage tear? You may experience acute symptoms like pain and buckling of the knee right after an injury, but not necessarily; sometimes, cartilage damage can happen gradually over time, resulting in intermittent symptoms.

What is the best knee replacement for older patients?

For older patients with significant wear and tear on the articular cartilage, a total knee replacement may be the preferred option.

Why do my knees tear?

Knee cartilage tears are often caused by sports injuries, but they can result from any activity involving twisting or bending of the knee. As you age, the everyday forces you put on your knees can wear out the cartilage, leading to a gradual injury that feels sudden — you're fine until one day, you squat or twist and you feel something ripping.