A torn meniscus can stay torn indefinitely if untreated, but healing potential depends on the tear's location (outer part has blood supply for healing) and severity; many tears heal with rest and physio in 6-8 weeks, while larger tears might need surgery, leading to full recovery in months, though chronic tears may not fully resolve without intervention and increase arthritis risk.
If left untreated, moderate meniscus tears can cause problems for many years.
Three signs that you may have a torn cartilage (meniscus tear) are: Pain along the sides of the joint, or pain in the back of the knee which moves towards the back of the calf. The pain is usually worse when you put weight on the knee. It may be aggravated with twisting movements.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen can help to reduce inflammation and pain caused by a meniscus tear. Acetaminophen can also help to manage pain but does not reduce inflammation. Your doctor discusses over-the-counter or prescription options with you.
Key points about a torn meniscus
Or it can develop over time from routine activities. A torn meniscus causes pain, locking, or clicking, and weakness of the knee. Exercises, medicine, and arthroscopy may be used to treat a torn meniscus.
Although it's a common injury, without proper treatment, it can lead to pain, decreased mobility, and even the need for more serious surgeries in the long-term.
Ordinarily, your doctor or physical therapist will ask you to reduce your sports activities while your meniscus tear heals. Healing could take between four and eight weeks.
Cortisone injections may temporarily decrease the pain associated with a tear but cannot heal a meniscus tear. These injections are used primarily when the knee is inflamed and swollen and there is arthritis associated with the meniscus tear.
Most meniscal tears do not heal because they are in an anatomic area that has no blood supply. The definitive treatment for meniscal tears is arthroscopic surgery.
Perimeniscal injections: a new gold standard for meniscus tear treatment. Perimeniscal injections offer a promising new pathway in the conservative management of degenerative meniscus tears. Degenerative meniscus tears are a common cause of persistent knee pain, especially in ageing and active populations.
Pain is usually felt in the knee above the meniscus while bearing weight on the affected knee and/or when twisting, turning, or pivoting on the knee. This may occur while getting in and out of a car. Walking up or down stairs may be particularly painful and may also cause increased swelling in the knee.
Swimming can be a brilliant way to maintain some fitness when you've got a torn meniscus, but you can actually make it worse by doing the wrong things in the pool. In this video, Maryke shares some tips on how you can swim without aggravating your meniscus injury.
There are many different causes for pain behind the knee on activity, such as arthritis or a Baker's cyst, as well as injuries, such as a meniscus tear, anterior or posterior cruciate ligament injury or hamstring injury.
While many meniscus tears do not heal completely due to limited blood supply, some patients can safely live with the tear if symptoms are manageable. If you can tolerate the discomfort and maintain stability, non-surgical options may be viable.
Certain supplements can give your body the extra support it needs to heal faster.
No matter what the case may be, physical therapy is key to restoring the function of the knee joint. For people who have a lesser degree of injury, PT in itself can even be a potent type of non-surgical treatment for meniscus tears.
How is a meniscus tear treated? If your MRI indicates a Grade 1 or 2 tear, but your symptoms and physical exam are inconsistent with a tear, surgery may not be needed. Grade 3 meniscus tears usually require surgery, which may include: Arthroscopic repair — An arthroscope is inserted into the knee to see the tear.
One study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine found that patients who received PRP injections reported reduced pain and improved function compared to those who underwent surgery. These findings suggest that PRP therapy can be a highly effective and non-invasive treatment option for meniscus tears.
Cycling in Rehabilitation
Riding a stationary bike is often recommended during rehabilitation following surgery to repair a torn meniscus, according to the AAOS. Stationary bikes can be easily programmed to provide little resistance to your knee joint. They can also help you regain normal range of motion in your knee.
While effective, cortisone shots should not be given more than three or four times per year. Receiving the shots too often can lead to damage of the knee joint.
Depending upon the severity of your injury, you might be referred to a doctor specializing in sports medicine or a specialist in bone and joint surgery (orthopedic surgeon).
There's concern that repeated cortisone shots might damage the cartilage within a joint. So doctors typically limit the number of cortisone shots into a joint. The number can depend on the joint, the diagnosis and other factors.
You might develop the following signs and symptoms in your knee:
Depending on the size and location of your meniscus tear, it may heal without surgery. Your healthcare provider may recommend taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medicine (like ibuprofen or aspirin) to relieve pain and reduce swelling.
Depending on the type of procedure you received, some patients may be unable to walk (and therefore climb stairs) for up to six weeks. You may need to stay off your knee completely for a few days after surgery. After that, you will likely be encouraged by your doctor to bear some weight and move around.