What is the best treatment for a meniscus tear?
Treatment
- 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.
How long does it take to heal a torn meniscus 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.
Can a torn meniscus 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 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.
What happens if you don’t repair a torn meniscus?
An untreated meniscus tear can result in the frayed edge getting caught in the joint, causing pain and swelling. It can also result in long term knee problems such as arthritis and other soft tissue damage.
Is walking good for meniscus tear?
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.
Does a knee brace help a torn meniscus?
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 it worth having meniscus surgery?
What are the benefits? Surgery to repair tears in the meniscus relieves symptoms 85% of the time. That means that of 100 people who have this surgery, 85 have relief from pain and can use their knee normally, while 15 do not. Surgery to repair tears may reduce the risk of long-term joint problems.
How do I know if my meniscus tear needs surgery?
If you have a small tear at the outer edge of the meniscus (in what doctors call the red zone ), you may want to try home treatment. These tears often heal with rest. If you have a moderate to large tear at the outer edge of the meniscus (red zone), you may want to think about surgery.
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.
Is there an alternative to surgery for a torn meniscus?
One treatment option that is currently revolutionizing meniscus tears is cell regenerative treatments. Stem cell treatments and platelet-enriched plasma can be great treatment choices for a patient who has a degenerative meniscus tear. The treatments will revitalize the cells in the meniscus.
What is the recovery time for a meniscus tear repair?
Recovery will take about 6 to 8 weeks if your meniscus tear is treated conservatively, without surgery. The time varies, depending on: The meniscus is a C-shaped band of cartilage that goes around the knee joint and cushions the junction of your thighbone (femur) and shinbone (tibia).
How long to heal torn meniscus?
– Acetaminophen: Adults can take 1 regular-strength acetaminophen pill every 4-6 hours. If 1 pill doesn’t help, try 2 pills next. – Ibuprofen: For MOTRIN, take 1-2 pills once every 4-6 hours. – Naproxen sodium: Take a single pill every 8-12 hours. – Aspirin: Take 1-2 pills every 4-6 hours.
How do you treat a meniscus tear?
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has suggested that patients in their 20s and 30s may benefit from nonoperative treatment of their meniscus tears. Over the last several years, there has been an increase in studies showing that
How to heal a torn meniscus naturally?
Rest: Avoid the sport or activity that caused your tear in the first place,and use crutches as needed to get around.