The most common injury to the knee is the meniscus tear, particularly among contact athletes. The meniscus is a C-shaped cartilage piece between your shinbone and thigh bone. It protects and cushions your knee joint. The tear's severity and location will determine the treatment options and recovery time. Continue reading to learn about available treatment options and the expected recovery time for a torn meniscus.
Initial Treatment
A "pop" sound that precedes knee pain could indicate that your meniscus has torn. A tear in the Meniscu's outer edges is easy to heal because they have a good blood supply. Unfortunately, the blood supply to the inner menisci is not sufficient. This area often requires surgery to repair the tears.
RICE Protocol
A Meniscus tear at the outer edge of the knee requires nonsurgical treatment. This includes rest, ice, and pain medication. Your doctor may ask you to modify the RICE protocol if your knee is stable. Elevation, rest, cold therapy with a Cold pack and compression will reduce pain, speed healing, and minimize swelling.
Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, relieve pain and swelling. Taking NSAIDs regularly can speed up your recovery from a knee injury, provided you don't have a medical condition preventing you from taking them.
Imaging Tests
To determine if you have a meniscus injury, your doctor will perform an initial physical exam. Then, your doctor can help you diagnose your condition by using imaging tests. Unfortunately, X-rays cannot diagnose this type of injury, but magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can provide a clear picture. McMurray is another excellent test to help your doctor diagnose a torn Meniscus. Your doctor will first bend your knee and straighten it. Then, they will turn your knee. A torn meniscus is likely if your knee clicks during the McMurray test.
Physical Therapy
For a meniscus injury, physical therapy focuses on strengthening the muscles around the knee. It will improve stability and range of motion. A physical therapist will evaluate your knee injuries when you first start seeing them. A physical therapist might recommend tools that can reduce the impact on your legs and feet, such as orthotics and a knee brace.
Exercise
Strengthening and range-of-motion exercises are essential parts of meniscus tear recovery and treatment. As a result, your muscles are supported, and your body weight is maintained. Stabilizing your knee joint will be possible by strengthening the muscles around your knee and surrounding areas. In addition, your knees and other joints will be less stressed; if you keep your weight at an ideal level.
Night Time Treatment
It doesn't matter if it's nighttime; treating a meniscus tear is difficult. To help you sleep better, you will need to manage pain and swelling during the night. You can do this by using heat with a Sacksythyme's Everywhere Heating pad or cold therapy or anti-inflammatory medication. Excellent nighttime treatment can speed up healing and reduce recovery time.
Surgery
Your doctor may recommend surgery if nonsurgical treatment fails to work. For example, for a torn meniscus, there are three options from orthopedic surgeons. Your doctor will determine which option is best based on the type of tear. Continue reading to learn about each type of surgical treatment.
Knee Arthroscopy
The most common way to repair a meniscus tear is through arthroscopic surgery. The surgeon will make a small incision at the knee to insert an arthroscope, a camera that is small enough to view the joint. The surgeon will also make small incisions to insert surgical instruments for the meniscal surgery. Arthroscopic surgery can be used to repair or remove the meniscus.
Partial Meniscectomy
Partial meniscectomy refers to the removal of a damaged meniscal tear. When the meniscus can't be repaired, this surgical procedure is performed. For example, the surgeon might remove the damaged meniscus because there is no blood supply or for other reasons.
Total Meniscectomy
The entire meniscus can be removed during a total meniscectomy. This surgery may increase your chances of developing osteoarthritis. However, a damaged meniscus could also prove to be dangerous. Total meniscectomy, however, is an uncommon surgical procedure.
Time for Recovery
The type of surgery performed will determine the length of your recovery and rehabilitation. For example, the meniscus must heal after a meniscus repair. Therefore, your overall healing time will be longer. For example, a meniscus repair will take three months to complete.
The healing process for a meniscectomy is usually three to four weeks. After the healing process is complete, rehabilitation can be completed at home. You will soon be able to move with the assistance of a physical therapist. A physical therapist will provide a plan of strengthening exercises to help you regain muscle strength and increase your knee range.
Meniscus Tears are safe and effective.
Meniscus tears are a common injury to the knee, Which Twisting movements can cause. You can treat the condition at home using the RICE protocol. Your doctor will discuss the best surgical option. If your doctor decides that surgery is required to repair your meniscal tear, they will discuss the best surgical repair option. No matter what treatment you choose, your active participation is required to restore your knee strength and movement.