Symptoms of a meniscus tear can develop suddenly in response to an acute injury or you may notice them developing more slowly over time. Common symptoms of a meniscus tear are as follows:

• An audible or felt popping.
• Pain in the knee joint on the inside (medial), outside (lateral), or back of the knee.
• Swelling.
• Catching or locking of the knee joint.
• Pain with walking.
• Inability to fully bend or straighten the knee.
• Pain when twisting the knee.
• Feelings of the knee giving out.

ANATOMY OF THE MENISCUS?

Reviewing the anatomy of the meniscus helps us to understand how these injuries occur and how physical therapy can be beneficial in treating them. The knee joint is a hinge joint created by the flattened surface of the tibia (shin bone) and the distal end of the femur (thigh bone). The meniscus (menisci for plural) is a C-shaped cartilaginous disc that cushions and helps stabilize the knee. There are two of these discs in each knee joint attached to the tibia side of the joint. The one on the inside of the knee is called the medial meniscus while the one on the outer side is called the lateral meniscus.

Tears in the menisci are categorized as either acute or degenerative. Acute meniscus tears occur suddenly, as an injury, usually when the leg is twisted while the foot is planted and the knee is bent. Degenerative tears occur as a result of general wear and tear in the knee joint. In general the menisci have poor blood supply. Blood is what carries the nutrients and growth factors and carries away damaged cells to help heal an injury. Because the blood supply is poor, when torn, the meniscus is less likely to be able to heal on its own.

• Pain in the neck, back, low back, arms, or legs.
• Inability to remain in one position for a long period of time, such as sitting or standing, due to pain.
• Pain that is worse in the morning.
• Inability to bend or rotate the neck or back.
• Numbness or tingling in the neck, shoulders, arms, hands, hips, legs, or feet.
• Weakness in the arms or legs.
• Limping when walking.
• Increased pain when coughing, reaching, sneezing, or sitting.
• Difficulty standing up straight; feeling like you need to be stooped forward or leaning to the side.
• Difficulty getting up from a chair.

If you decide to work with a physical therapist to help correct your torn meniscus, your entire treatment plan could consist of around 8-20+ different physical therapy for torn meniscus sessions that will each last 60-90 minutes. Once you complete your customized torn meniscus physical therapy treatment plan, you will be able to continue to do the prescribed stretches and exercises utilized during your PT sessions yet in the comfort of your own home.

WHAT TREATMENT IS BEST FOR A MENISCUS TEAR?

Both surgical and nonsurgical options exist to manage a meniscus tear. Given the decreased healing ability of these tissues, there are several factors that may be considered to determine which approach is best. In most cases, a trial of physical therapy is a great choice. Physical therapy can often be helpful in addressing symptoms of a meniscus tear and may help you avoid unnecessary surgery. While not all meniscus tears require surgery, symptoms of catching or locking usually require a surgical evaluation. Similarly, failure to respond to physical therapy may indicate surgery is necessary.

If surgery is indicated, a course of pre-surgical physical therapy may be recommended to address symptoms like inflammation and make sure the body is ready to recover from surgery as easily as possible. Post-surgery physical therapy is commonly recommended to facilitate tissue healing and help you progress toward your prior level of function. The most common surgical procedures to address a meniscus tear are as follows:

• Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy
• Meniscus Repair
• Meniscus Reconstruction

PHYSICAL THERAPY AS A TREATMENT FOR A MENISCUS TEAR

In many cases, physical therapy is an excellent option to manage a meniscus tear and to help you recover from surgery. Whichever route your healing takes, you will benefit from working with a physical therapist to help facilitate healing, address any factors that may have predisposed you to this injury and facilitate return to full activity.

In the early phases of healing your PT will educate you on how to protect healing tissues including how to modify activities and use assistive devices like crutches or a cane. As you improve, your PT will help guide you through a progressive rehab program that can strengthen the surrounding structures while gradually helping you return to your former level of activity. Rather than taking the wait-and-see approach, physical therapy can help you to heal faster and more completely while reducing your risk of future reinjury.

If you have an meniscus tear or believe you may have one, call us today to learn more about our services and schedule an evaluation: Call 1-718-258-3300