Are meniscus tears serious?
Are meniscus tears serious?
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.
How painful are meniscus tears?
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.
Are meniscus tears hard to heal?
Treating a Meniscus Tear. Minor tears usually don’t need surgery, especially if they are on the outer part of the meniscus where there is a good supply of blood. These tears should heal on their own fairly quickly.
Where is meniscus tear pain located?
Symptoms of a meniscus tear may be different for each person, but some of the most common symptoms are: Pain in the knee joint: usually on the inside (medial), outside (lateral) or back of the knee. Swelling. Catching or locking of the knee joint.
Can you play with meniscus tear?
Some people can still walk or even play sports after their meniscus is torn, but may be limited by any of the previously mentioned symptoms. Sometimes a ‘pop’ or ‘snap’ will be heard when the injury occurs. Common Treatment: Meniscus tears do not usually heal.
How should it take for a meniscus tear to heal?
Less severe meniscus tears can take 4-8 weeks to heal. Others may require surgery and take as long as 6 months. For people with less severe tears, doctors may recommend gentle exercises. It is normal for these exercises to cause a little discomfort. If any exercise causes pain, however, stop doing it.
How long does a meniscus tear take to heal?
Your meniscal tear will commonly take up to six or eight weeks to fully heal.
When might surgery be needed for a meniscus tear?
When Surgery Is Necessary. In order for a meniscus tear to heal, it must have the following attributes: Surgery is generally necessary to repair a torn meniscus only if the tear is unstable, you have healthy meniscus tissue, and the tear is in an area of good blood supply.
What should you know about a meniscus tear?
If you’ve torn your meniscus, you might have the following signs and symptoms in your knee: A popping sensation. Swelling or stiffness. Pain, especially when twisting or rotating your knee. Difficulty straightening your knee fully.