Readers ask: How Long To Wait Until Seeing An Orthopedist About Possible Miniscus Tear?

When should you see a doctor for a torn meniscus?

When should I see a doctor? Not all meniscus tears require a doctor’s care. Pain and swelling that recur or don’t go away are usually signs a tear is serious enough to see a doctor. Locking, or being unable to straighten or bend the knee also merits a trip to the doctor.

What does an orthopedic surgeon do for a torn meniscus?

Treatment Overview This includes resting, using ice, wrapping the knee in an elastic bandage, propping it up on pillows, and doing physical therapy. This treatment choice may include wearing a temporary knee brace. Surgery to sew the tear together. Surgery to remove the torn section of the meniscus.

Will walking on a torn meniscus make it worse?

People usually feel pain, but can still walk. Sometimes swelling also occurs and it may get worse over time. You also might feel your knee getting stiffer.

Is a meniscus tear urgent?

A specific type of meniscal tear called a ‘bucket handle tear ‘ can occur and cause your knee to be locked (cannot fully straighten your knee ). In all cases of a locked knee further medical assessment is required urgently as there are several causes of a locked knee.

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: A popping sensation. Swelling or stiffness. Pain, especially when twisting or rotating your knee.

Where do you feel the pain from a torn meniscus?

Initial symptoms of a torn meniscus include well-localized pain and swelling in the knee. The pain is usually either on the inner or outer side of the knee, not around the kneecap.

What is the fastest way to recover from meniscus surgery?

Instead, doctors often prescribe “R.I.C.E.” That stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation.

1. Rest the knee often.
2. Put ice or a cold pack on your knee several times a day for 20 minutes at a time.
3. Apply compression by wearing a bandage or brace.
4. Elevate the knee while you’re resting or when you’re icing it.

How long are you off work for a meniscus surgery?

If you sit at work, you may be able to go back in 1 to 2 weeks. But if you are on your feet at work, it may take 4 to 6 weeks. If you are very physically active in your job, it may take 3 to 6 months.

What happens if a meniscus tear is left untreated?

An untreated meniscus tear can result in the frayed edge getting caught in the joint, causing pain and swelling. It can also result in long term knee problems such as arthritis and other soft tissue damage.

Does a torn meniscus hurt to touch?

When a meniscus tear occurs, you may hear a popping sound around your knee joint. Afterward, you may experience: pain, especially when the area is touched.

What is the best exercise for a torn meniscus?

Once you have your doctor’s approval to begin exercising, try some of these exercises to enhance your strength and stability following a meniscus tear.

• Quadriceps setting.
• Mini-squats.
• Straight leg raise.
• Hamstring heel digs.
• Leg extensions.
• Standing heel raises.
• Clams.
• Hamstring curls.

Can you bend your knee with a torn meniscus?

You can fully bend and straighten your knee without pain. You feel no pain in your knee when you walk, jog, sprint, or jump. Your knee is no longer swollen. Your injured knee is as strong as your uninjured knee.

Does a meniscus tear hurt immediately?

You might feel a sharp pain when you twist your knee or squat. These symptoms may go away in 1 or 2 weeks but can come back if you twist or overuse your knee. The pain may come and go for years if the tear isn’t treated. In severe tears, pieces of the torn meniscus can move into the joint space.

When is torn meniscus an emergency?

Your doctor or the orthopedic surgeon may suggest other tests such as an MRI or arthroscopy. If your pain is very bad at first, you might go to the emergency room. If your pain is not so bad, you may wait to see if it goes away. Most people go to the doctor when pain and swelling comes back after they use their knee.

Will a knee brace help with a meniscus tear?

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 [9]. Additionally, braces can support the knee while doing physical therapy exercises later on in rehabilitation.