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How do I Choose the Best Meniscus Tear Treatment?

Alex Paul
Alex Paul

To choose the best meniscus tear treatment, it is necessary for a doctor to diagnose the severity of the injury. Minor meniscus tears often heal naturally and only require a period of rehabilitation to strengthen the knee. Larger tears, or those that fail to heal, usually require surgery. In general, meniscus tear surgery can involve repairing the meniscus, trimming it, or removing it completely.

The menisci are shock absorbers found in the knee. If a meniscus is torn, often due to a twisting motion during competitive sports, the injury can cause pain and swelling around the joint. A torn meniscus can also make the knee unstable. In some cases, a knee meniscus tear can heal naturally with conservative treatment, but often an operation is required to address the condition.

Non-invasive therapy treatments are available for certain torn meniscus injuries.
Non-invasive therapy treatments are available for certain torn meniscus injuries.

To start with, meniscus tear treatment is usually non-invasive. The RICE formula — i.e., rest, ice, compression, and elevation — should be followed for the first few days to allow the injury to settle. If needed, the patient should take over-the-counter painkilling medication in order to reduce discomfort. Once the swelling and initial pain has subsided, it’s important for a doctor to accurately diagnose the extent of the damage.

A physiotherapist may provide a patient with a set of exercises to perform in order to care for a torn meniscus.
A physiotherapist may provide a patient with a set of exercises to perform in order to care for a torn meniscus.

If the tear is small, meniscus tear treatment usually involves rest until the injury heals naturally. Small tears often take about two months to heal fully. If non-operative treatment is decided upon, it is essential to visit a physiotherapist for a strengthening program. The therapist can provide you with a series of safe exercises to strengthen the knee joint while the meniscus is healing. This takes pressure off the knee which reduces the chance of reinjury and further complications.

After a meniscus tear, applying ice to the knee can help relieve pain and reduce swelling.
After a meniscus tear, applying ice to the knee can help relieve pain and reduce swelling.

For tears that don't heal naturally, meniscus tear treatment often involves surgery. In most cases, an arthroscopy is performed, which is also known as keyhole surgery. There are several different types of surgery depending on the severity of the injury and where the injury is located. The surgeon may also recommend an exploratory arthroscopy to help diagnose the tear if other techniques prove inconclusive.

The best meniscus tear treatment depends on the severity of the injury.
The best meniscus tear treatment depends on the severity of the injury.

The best case scenario is when the surgeon can repair the meniscus during the operation. This is often not possible, however, so surgery for meniscus tear treatment can also involve trimming the meniscus. In some instances, the surgeon may have to remove the entire meniscus. Other, less common, surgeries such as a meniscus transplant are available in some hospitals.

Discussion Comments

ZipLine

@turquoise-- Have you had an MRI? The extent of the tear should decide whether you should rest or have surgery. If you're doctor is giving you an option, you can probably treat it with just rest.

turquoise

My doctor said that I can get surgery if I want or I can rest it out. He said that if I choose to rest, it will probably take longer for the tear to heal than getting surgery. Is this true?

I personally want to try resting first and if it doesn't heal on its own, then I will consider surgery. Has anyone else been in this situation? Is rest a better idea or surgery?

SteamLouis

Unfortunately, I didn't have any choice about my meniscus tear treatment because it was a severe tear and required surgery. However, I was given the option to do meniscus tear rehab after surgery which I chose to do.

I'm glad I did because physical therapy helped my knee get back its range of motion quickly. The physical therapist also taught me correct leg and knee positions to avoid another tear in the future. This was extremely helpful.

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    • Non-invasive therapy treatments are available for certain torn meniscus injuries.
      By: Dirima
      Non-invasive therapy treatments are available for certain torn meniscus injuries.
    • A physiotherapist may provide a patient with a set of exercises to perform in order to care for a torn meniscus.
      By: Monkey Business
      A physiotherapist may provide a patient with a set of exercises to perform in order to care for a torn meniscus.
    • After a meniscus tear, applying ice to the knee can help relieve pain and reduce swelling.
      By: Lovrencg
      After a meniscus tear, applying ice to the knee can help relieve pain and reduce swelling.
    • The best meniscus tear treatment depends on the severity of the injury.
      By: .shock
      The best meniscus tear treatment depends on the severity of the injury.
    • A patient who chooses non-operative meniscus tear treatment will generally have to visit a physiotherapist for a strengthening program.
      By: goodluz
      A patient who chooses non-operative meniscus tear treatment will generally have to visit a physiotherapist for a strengthening program.