With conservative therapy, your meniscus injury should heal in 6 to 8 weeks. You will not have surgery if you get conventional treatment. Strengthening your leg muscles, particularly your quadriceps and hamstrings, is essential to your recovery. That doesn’t mean you should go straight to the squat rack—without a completely functional knee, you will not be able to manage high weights. Instead, focus on stretching and basic exercises you can perform at home. Dr. Ronald Hess West Chester can assist you in rebuilding knee strength and endurance. Physical therapists are trained in the appropriate activities to help you restore knee function, and they will also ensure that you are training at a safe rate to avoid re-injury.
Symptoms of meniscus tear
You will probably know if you have torn your meniscus immediately away. You will most likely have severe, abrupt pain in your knee and a “tearing” or popping feeling. We admire your fortitude if you have been unlucky enough to have gone through this. Other symptoms include knee swelling, trouble bending your leg, and a tendency for your knee to “lock up.” Sometimes you will not experience pain immediately after a rip, especially if you are participating in a sport and your body is buzzing with adrenaline. However, if any of these symptoms appear, you will almost certainly need to have imaging done to establish the presence of a tear.
Causes of a torn meniscus
A torn meniscus can be aggravated by excessively twisting or turning your knee. A torn meniscus can also be aggravated by direct contact on the knee’s side and awkwardly landing on your feet after a jump. Kneeling, deep squats, quick stops or turns, and carrying large weights can aggravate a damaged meniscus. Specialists and physical therapists advise you not to engage in sports while your knee heals and to avoid certain activities.
How to prevent a meniscus tear
Meniscus tears are difficult to avoid because they are frequently the consequence of an accident. However, basic measures may reduce the likelihood of a knee injury. You must:
- Regular exercise will keep your thigh muscles strong.
- Before participating, warm up with mild activities.
- Allow your body to recuperate between sessions. Muscle fatigue might raise your risk of injury.
- Check that your shoes provide adequate support and fit correctly.
- Maintain your adaptability.
- Never raise the intensity of your training unexpectedly. Make gradual modifications.
Is a knee brace beneficial for a torn meniscus?
Knee braces tend to keep your leg straight and exert a lot of pressure on your knee, which might aggravate your injury. Instead, employ a different compression type, including a leg cuff, which limits blood flow to the region. Reduced blood flow causes your body to believe it is working harder, which benefits physical therapy activities that strengthen the area.
Meniscus tears are injuries that develop in the knee cartilage. These tears may necessitate surgical correction in some cases. However, whether they will react well to surgery is determined by the tear type, location, and the blood flow in the area where the rip occurred. If your doctor tells you you have a meniscus tear, you may wonder if surgery is necessary. Some tears may benefit from surgery, but not all. Call Beacon Orthopedics & Sports Medicine to schedule a consultation to determine the type of meniscus tear you have.