Physical therapy is critical following a meniscus tear injury in order to heal properly and restore strength, mobility, and range of motion in the knee. In fact, research has shown that physical therapy can yield the same outcomes as surgery for a torn meniscus.
Full Answer
How does physical therapy help a torn meniscus?
By the end of your physical therapy sessions, you will notice increased strength in your legs. Physical therapy also works to decrease knee pain and swelling through simple exercises and stretches. Exercises for your torn meniscus will be a major part of your knee rehabilitation program.
Is arthroscopic meniscus surgery more effective than physical therapy?
Even though about 2 million meniscus procedures are performed worldwide each year, new evidence states that arthroscopic surgery is not more effective than physical therapy for some types of meniscal injuries. If you’re not sure what the meniscus is or what it does, check out this overview.
Should I have knee surgery for a meniscus tear?
If you choose to undergo knee surgery for a meniscus tear, physical therapy is even more important for restoring function. Cutting into the knee for any reason, whether it's a meniscus repair or total knee replacement, compromises the innate integrity and stability of the knee.
What is a a meniscus tear?
A meniscus tear is a very common knee injury, especially among athletes and active adults. It occurs when the knee is forcefully twisted or rotated, creating a split in the cartilage tissue.
What does a physical therapist do for a torn meniscus?
Treating a Meniscus Tear with Physical Therapy Treatment goals typically include improving the knee's range of motion, decreasing knee pain and swelling, improving functional mobility and increasing strength of the muscles that stabilize the knee.
Can PT fix a torn meniscus?
Meniscal tears further limit mobility and can be very painful. Patients typically have two options for treatment—arthroscopic partial meniscectomy that involves surgically removing the torn part of the meniscus and stabilizing it, or physical therapy.
What is the best therapy for a torn meniscus?
TreatmentRest. 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.
What type of physical therapy activities would be beneficial for a torn meniscus?
Once you have your doctor's approval to begin exercising, try some of these exercises to enhance your strength and stability following a meniscus tear.Quadriceps setting. ... Mini-squats. ... Straight leg raise. ... Hamstring heel digs. ... Leg extensions. ... Standing heel raises. ... Clams. ... Hamstring curls.
What are the two treatments for a meniscus tear?
Conservative treatment — such as rest, ice and medication — is sometimes enough to relieve the pain of a torn meniscus and give the injury time to heal on its own. In other cases, however, a torn meniscus requires surgery.
How long is rehab for meniscus?
Recovery will take about 6 to 8 weeks if your meniscus tear is treated conservatively, without surgery. The time varies, depending on: the type and severity of the tear. how long your symptoms persist.
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.
How do you rehab a torn meniscus?
6:037:21Meniscus Tear - Start With These Rehab Exercises - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you want to try not to do that really keep it locked. Out squeeze your quads. And keep itMoreSo you want to try not to do that really keep it locked. Out squeeze your quads. And keep it straight the whole time don't let it bend up and down slowly. Two to three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions.
How long does it take for a torn meniscus to heal 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.
Is physical therapy necessary after meniscus surgery?
Regular exercise to restore strength and mobility to your knee is important for your full recovery after arthroscopic surgery. Your orthopaedic surgeon or physical therapist may recommend that you exercise for approximately 20 to 30 minutes, 2 or 3 times a day.
How often should I do physical therapy after meniscus surgery?
For the best results, both home and in-person physical therapy exercises should be done. We recommend exercising at least 3 times per week after surgery. Rehab usually lasts 4 to 8 weeks. After this time, your therapist and surgeon may clear you to perform gym-based exercises.
What exercises are good for strengthening knees?
To help strengthen your knees, focus on moves that work your hamstrings, quadriceps, glutes, and hip muscles.Half squat. ... Calf raises. ... Hamstring curl. ... Leg extensions. ... Straight leg raises. ... Side leg raises. ... Prone leg raises.
Physical Therapy as a Meniscus Tear Treatment
For some people, a minor meniscus tear causes little to no knee pain or functional loss. Minor tears in the meniscus can feel better after a careful healing process.
Physical Therapy Exercises for a Torn Meniscus
Exercises for your torn meniscus will be a major part of your knee rehabilitation program. Your orthopedic doctor or physical therapist can help you recover from a meniscus injury with exercises such as these:
Exercises for Increasing Range of Motion in the Knee
The tear in your meniscus may cause you to have a limited range of motion and stiffness of the knee. Thus, it will be hard for you to fully bend your knee or straighten your leg.
Exercises to Avoid
There are also exercises to avoid, as any twisting motion of the knee may make the tear worse. Movements such as pivots, deep squats, and twisting should be avoided at all costs to prevent further injury to the meniscus.
Meniscus Tear Doctor Near Me in Raleigh
If you are searching for an established orthopedic clinic, Dr. Brett Gilbert and his medical staff are here for you. We provide high-quality orthopedic care to our patients – and after a full assessment of your condition, we can recommend the right treatment for your injury or painful condition.
How to recover from a meniscus tear?
When recovering from a meniscus tear, always follow recommendations from your doctor or physical therapist for calibrating weight-bearing and range of motion. If at any time you are feeling unsure, make sure to discuss your concerns with your therapist so that your treatment program can be adjusted accordingly. If you experience any exacerbation of symptoms, such as severe knee pain, increased swelling, or changes in weight-bearing tolerance, bring it to your doctor’s attention immediately.
What are the three types of surgery for meniscus tear?
There are three main types of arthroscopic surgeries done for a meniscus tear, either a repair, removal of the damaged area or reconstruction of the meniscus (via options like synthetic grafts, autografts, or even stem cells). Which option is best for you depends on the injury, your health and lifestyle, and the surgeon. Regardless, there are three main phases that you will go through when recovering from a meniscus tear. They are outlined below.
How to stop knee pain from walking?
Limit weight-bearing and forcing knee range of motion that is painful. Do not force use of the knee. If applicable, continue using crutches or any other assistive device until you can walk comfortably with a minimal limp.
What precautions should I take after a meniscus injury?
What precautions you need to follow after a meniscus injury depends on your symptoms and the ability to use your knee. Generally, putting full weight through your knee and using it normally are allowed, even encouraged. Restrictions are usually based on your tolerance for activity and movement.
How long does it take for a knee to heal?
For the next 4-8 weeks, you will start focusing on gradually restoring function to your knee. This includes knee flexibility, strength, coordination, and your ability to walk without pain or a limp.
What is the first step in treating a knee injury?
Conservative treatment should always be the first step in treating a knee injury. Physical therapy is all about restoring maximal function to your knee while keeping it relevant to your own lifestyle and activities.
Can you use crutches after a meniscus tear?
Use of crutches following a meniscus tear is not common. However, if the pain is severe or there is a significant limp. crutches may be utilized for a short amount of time. Here is a quick guide to using crutches:
What is meniscal tear?
A meniscal tear is a common injury in athletes that involves the tearing of the knee’s cartilage. The meniscus is a disc of cartilage that cushions and stabilizes the knee and allows for fluid movements in various directions. Physical therapy is critical following a meniscal tear and surgery in order to heal properly and restore strength and movement to the knee for a safe return to sport. In this blog, we share a video of a student athlete’s progress during physical therapy following a meniscal tear and meniscectomy.
Why do meniscus tears happen?
Meniscal tears are common in contact sports as the menisci are vulnerable to injury, especially when the knee is compressed and twisted. A meniscus tear, which involves the tearing of the knee’s cartilage, can be acute or degenerative. Degenerative meniscal tears happen over time due to repetitive stress on the knee. For athletes, acute tears are most common, resulting from a particular movement, such as twisting and turning quickly on a bent knee when the foot is planted on the ground.
How accurate is MRI for meniscal tear?
MRI scans are only 80%-90% accurate at diagnosing meniscal tears initially and even less accurate post-operatively. High signal in the meniscal tissue can represent oedema, degeneration, an actual tear or a healing tear post repair[56].
What is the difference between medial and lateral meniscus?
The medial meniscus is “U” shaped covering around 60% of the medial compartment whereas the lateral meniscus is more “C” with a shorter distance between its anterior and posterior horns covering 80% of the lateral compartment[6]. Meniscal tissue consists mainly of water and type I collagen fibres[7].
Why is the structure of the meniscal fibres important?
The structure of these fibres are important clinically when deciding which meniscal tears are stable or which are unstable and warrant resection or repair. The blood supply to the menisci is of high relevance having important implications for the potential healing of a meniscal repair.
What is the most common pathology of the knee?
Meniscal tears are the most common pathology of the knee with a mean annual incidence of 66 per 100000[1]. Historically it was believed that the menisci served no functional purpose and they were often excised with open total meniscectomy[2].
Does a meniscus tear heal?
The blood supply is fundamental to the success of a meniscal repair. Only tears in the red-red or possibly the red-white zone are expected to heal. The absence of blood vessels in the remaining meniscus prevents widespread use of meniscal repair and patients are subjected to meniscectomy.