If you’ve torn your meniscus it is very likely that you are in a fair amount of pain and may have sought immediate medical treatment for the tear. Meniscal tears can occur as a result of sports, dancing, or other activities that cause sudden twisting or movement within the legs and especially the knee. It is important to seek treatment after a meniscal tear in order to keep your legs healthy, maintain your mobility and prevent the onset of arthritis later in life.
Most treatments for meniscal tears are focused on making the patient more comfortable, pain-free and to keep the inflammation of your tissues down. For small tears your physician may only recommend rest, ice, compression and elevation of the torn knee muscle.
If this milder treatment is not sufficient to control your pain and swelling, your physician may recommend physical therapy or even arthroscopic surgery to repair the tear. In the end, surgery may be the only way to prevent the injury from recurring and prevent the onset of arthritis as a result. Surgery can typically be completed in about one hour and involves suturing the torn edges of the muscle back into place, allowing the muscle to continue healing naturally. Other surgical methods may require removal of part of the muscle.
During recovery you should expect to use crutches to walk for several days or even weeks. You will also be expected to elevate your knee when lying down in order to prevent swelling. Your surgeon will likely arrange physical therapy to begin very shortly after surgery and lasting for two weeks or longer depending on the degree of surgical repair required. Some patients may have to use crutches or wear a knee brace for as long as six weeks.
If you believe that you may have torn your meniscus and are seeking repair options, contact Great Lakes Orthopedics and Sports Medicine for a consultation today.
