Meniscus Tear Rehab


What is a Meniscus Tear?


Watch this VIDEO about meniscus tears. There are two common categories in which most meniscus tears are grouped. Acute tears and degenerative tears.

  • Acute tears are more often seen in younger populations where the cartilage is torn, with the knee going into a twisting movement while bearing weight.
  • Degenerative tears are often seen in middle-aged individuals where the cartilage has thinned and weakened, resulting in tears. These result from an accumulation of micro-traumas over time and are often referred to as "wear and tear'.

Illustration of the human meniscus with labels. JOI RehabHuman Meniscus Anatomy

How Long Does it Take for a Torn Meniscus to Heal without Surgery?

The quick answer, a meniscus tear rehab will usually take about 4-8 weeks to heal without surgery. You should reduce your activities and sports. A physical therapist can work with you to strengthen the hips and thighs, which helps with recovery. Some meniscus tears will heal on their own, and some will not. Healing depends on where the tear is located and the severity. Working with a JOI Rehab Therapist can help you regain knee range of motion and strength. 


Can You Make a Meniscus Tear Worse?

Technically, yes, you can. It depends on your specific tear and activity levels and how often you perform activities that cause and increase your pain. It would be best if you spoke with your orthopedic physician or physical therapist about your meniscus tear.


Is Walking Good for a Torn Meniscus?

Walking can be useful to improve your weight-bearing tolerance and loosen up the knee. Meniscus injuries are often worsened by pivoting or twisting or bending motions.

Walking can be useful to improve your weight-bearing tolerance and loosen up the knee and is good for meniscus tear rehabWalking can help with meniscus tear rehab.

What are the Best Exercises for a Torn Knee Meniscus?

Speak with a physical therapist for the rehabilitation of your torn meniscus. Meniscus tear rehab can be done before or after surgery or instead of surgery. Your physical therapist will give you exercises that will help rehab a torn knee meniscus.

Quadriceps sets

Lay or sit with your leg straight out and prop your heel up on a pillow. Keep your knee as straight as you can, squeeze the thigh muscle, and hold for 5-10 seconds. Do 20-30 times. Do not perform into pain.

Meniscus Tear Rehab includes quadriceps  setting exercisesQuadriceps Setting 


Straight Leg Raises

 Lay with your injured leg straight and your non-affected leg bent. Keep your knee perfectly straight and raise your injured leg straight up. Perform 3 sets of 10.


Meniscus Tear Rehab includes straight leg raises exerciseStraight Leg Raises


Clam-shells 

 Lay in the fetal position. Keeping your feet together and without rolling back, lift only the top knee. It is as if a clam-shell is opening. Perform 30 times.

Meniscus Tear Rehab includes clam-shells exercisesClam-shells


Mini squats

Hold onto a counter for support as needed and feet hip-width apart. Bend your knees, stick your buttocks out into a mini squat (about 45 degrees down) and back up. Repeat 3 sets of 10.

Meniscus Tear Rehab includes mini squats exercisesMini squats


Does a Cortisone Injection Help a Meniscus Tear?


Cortisone can help decrease inflammation and pain associated with a meniscus tear. However, it will not help heal a meniscus tear.  Cortisone injections are not recommended if the meniscus is repairable, as it could interrupt healing.


Torn Meniscus Rehab (Nonsurgical)


Meniscus tear rehab is focused on decreasing the reactivity of the knee. This often involves R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). In a rehab clinic, patients are instructed in joint protection strategies (avoiding squatting, twisting, or walking on uneven terrain). They are given exercises such as quad setting, and straight leg raises to help keep the muscle tone and strength in the leg while recovering from injury. Also, the range of motion exercise is given to minimize stiffness. 

Electrical modalities are often utilized to decrease pain and swelling, as well ass for muscle re-education. In the early recovery phase, crutches are often beneficial as they can unload the knee to make walking easier. As the pain and swelling diminish, higher level exercises can be performed to improve the knee's strength and mobility.


Partial Meniscectomy Surgery

A knee arthroscopy or knee scope is a minimally invasive surgery used with partial meniscectomy surgery.Arthroscopic knee surgery before torn meniscus rehab

Your orthopedic surgeon will discuss which surgical option is best for you or if conservative treatment is better. Rehab following a meniscectomy initially focuses on decreasing swelling and pain and trying to decrease the strain to the knee. It is similar to the is needed following the initial meniscus tear injury. 


Meniscus Tear Rehab after Meniscus Repair Surgery

A meniscus repair requires a longer recovery period that a partial meniscectomy typically.Meniscus repair surgery

Rehab following a meniscal repair is different from a meniscectomy as the newly repaired meniscus needs to be more protected. With this surgery, the torn meniscus is pulled back together and held in place with either a stitch or surgical anchor. Because of this, weight-bearing is limited to avoid re-tearing the tissue. Also, limitations are made to avoid bending the knee too far, as this can also damage the repair in the early phase of recovery. Like other meniscal tear rehabs, the focus initially is to decrease swelling and pain. As this improves, exercises are performed to restore knee strength and mobility. Advancement of rehab intensity is based on the type of surgical repair, length of time of healing, and the response to the rehab already performed.

Related Articles: 

Doctors for Meniscus Tears in Jacksonville, FL

Book an Appointment with The Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute Today!

JOI Physicians continue to offer online new patient appointments. This is another option to make it more convenient to make new patient appointments with less phone hold times. Follow the link below to select your JOI MD and schedule online.

New to JOI, you can now schedule your follow up appointments and cancel appointments on the JOI Portal.

To make appointments with JOI Rehab, please call 904-858-7045.

By: Caitlin Violette, PT, DPT

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