But most horizontal, long-standing, and degenerative tears—those caused by years of wear and tear—can’t be fixed. For these kinds of tears, you may need to have part or all of the meniscus removed. You may want to have surgery if your knee pain is too great or if you are unable to do daily activities.

Is surgery necessary for a torn meniscus?

The Truth About Meniscus Tears

Not all meniscus tears require surgery. That said, very few meniscus tears will heal completely without surgery. 1 It’s important to understand that not all meniscus tears cause symptoms, and even if a meniscus tear occurs, the symptoms may subside without surgery.

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.

Can you make a torn meniscus worse?

A meniscus tear can get worse when left untreated. For example, you might have trouble managing the pain and swelling in your knee, or your knee may continue feeling like it’s catching or locking.

Will a knee brace help a torn meniscus?

After meniscus tear surgery, a knee brace can be worn to limit knee flexion and rotation, protecting the meniscus while allowing weight-bearing and movement . Additionally, braces can support the knee while doing physical therapy exercises later on in rehabilitation.

What type of meniscus tear requires surgery?

The most common type of tear to the meniscus is a radial tear. This type of tear occurs in the area of the knee that isn’t supplied with blood, so it cannot heal on its own. Surgery may be required if the tear is severe. In the case of a radial tear, the surgeon will trim away the damaged part of the meniscus.

Is meniscus tear surgery painful?

Arthroscopic meniscus repair is moderately painful. Because more soft tissue surgery is performed, it is more painful than a standard arthroscopy, but less painful than a ligament reconstruction or another procedure that requires drilling holes through the bone.

Can you walk on a torn meniscus?

A torn meniscus usually produces well-localized pain in the knee. The pain often is worse during twisting or squatting motions. Unless the torn meniscus has locked the knee, many people with a torn meniscus can walk, stand, sit, and sleep without pain.

How do I know if I’ve torn my meniscus?

If you’ve torn your meniscus, you might have the following signs and symptoms in your knee:

1. A popping sensation.
2. Swelling or stiffness.
3. Pain, especially when twisting or rotating your knee.
4. Difficulty straightening your knee fully.
5. Feeling as though your knee is locked in place when you try to move it.

What is the best thing to do for a torn meniscus?

Rest the knee.

Limit activities to include walking if the knee painful. Use crutches to help relieve pain. Ice your knee to reduce pain and swelling. Do it for 15-20 minutes every 3-4 hours for 2-3 days or until the pain and swelling is gone.

Why does meniscus tear hurt at night?

There are a couple of reasons why your knee pain is worse at night: Pain is perceived to be worse at nighttime. As you climb into bed and start to quiet your mind pain becomes more pronounced than when you were active during the day distracted by your activities. An active day may cause your knee joint to swell.

How long does torn meniscus take to heal?

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.

Does a torn meniscus show up on xray?

Because a torn meniscus is made of cartilage, it won’t show up on X-rays. But X-rays can help rule out other problems with the knee that cause similar symptoms. MRI . This uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to produce detailed images of both hard and soft tissues within your knee.

Which is worse lateral or medial meniscus tear?

Is the lateral meniscus tear worse than a medial meniscus tear? It is hard to differentiate what type of tear is worse if it is repairable. However, it is well known that if a lateral meniscus is taken out, the consequences are almost always worse than having a medial meniscus resected.

How do you sleep with a torn meniscus?

3 Tips for Better Sleep After Meniscus Surgery

1. Keep your bandages clean and dry. Before you go to bed, check the dressing around the surgery site to make sure everything is copacetic. …
2. Sleep on your back with the leg slightly elevated. …
3. Roll over to the “good leg” side. …
4. Try breathing exercises to help relax.

Would a cortisone shot help a torn meniscus?

A cortisone shot can help decrease the inflammation and pain caused by a torn meniscus. A cortisone shot usually does not help in healing of the meniscus and, hence, does not improve any mechanical symptoms. If a meniscus is repairable, then a cortisone shot is not preferred as it may impair healing of the meniscus.

How serious is a torn meniscus?

Left untreated, a meniscus tear can limit your daily life and ability to participate in exercise and sports. In serious cases, it can develop into long-term knee problems, like arthritis.

What should I avoid with a torn meniscus?

The only way to prevent and avoid a torn meniscus is to avoid activities that cause the knees to twist, bend, or rotate in an extreme fashion. If a person cannot avoid these activities, they should take as much care as possible while participating in them.

Can you put weight on a torn meniscus?

Many individuals are still capable of putting weight on the affected knee and even walking normally after a meniscus injury. In fact, many athletes can even continue playing after a meniscus injury.

Can you drive a car with a torn meniscus?

For meniscus partial removal, you can be back to light activity in two weeks and full activity in 6 weeks. How long before i can drive a car? All patients must be off pain medicine before driving. Many patients can return to driving in 2 weeks or less once they feel completely safe operating a vehicle.

Is bike riding good for meniscus tear?

Riding a stationary bike may be an important component of your knee meniscus tear exercise program. Bike riding can have many benefits, including: It can improve your knee range of motion. It can improve muscular endurance in your legs.

Where does a meniscus tear hurt?

In a typical moderate tear, you feel pain at the side or in the center of the knee, depending on where the tear is. Often, you are still able to walk. Swelling usually increases gradually over 2 to 3 days and may make the knee feel stiff and limit bending. There is often sharp pain when twisting or squatting.

Can torn meniscus cause leg pain?

Locking or catching sensations can be experienced following a meniscal tear as well. The leg may feel some weakness and cause a sense of buckling or “giving way,” since the displaced torn fragment and swelling in the knee can affect the thigh muscles that support knee function.