A meniscus tear is one of the most common knee injuries. Each knee has two menisci – one at the inner edge and the other at the outer edge of your knee. The meniscus is a C-shaped, rubbery, and tough disc that acts as a shock absorber and keeps your knee steady by balancing the weight of your body across the knee. A torn meniscus prevents your knee from working correctly and leads to accelerated wear of your joint.
Symptoms of Meniscus Tear
The symptoms of a torn meniscus can vary depending on the location and size of the tear. You may experience the following symptoms:
- Knee pain at the center or the side
- Swelling and stiffness
- Pain when twisting or rotating your knee
- Increased pain while lifting, squatting, or rising from a seated position
- Popping sensation, or “wobbly” unstable feeling
- Difficulty in fully straightening the knee
- Feeling that your knee is locked in place
Causes of a Torn Meniscus
A torn meniscus usually occurs due to any of the following:
- Sudden twisting or turning of your foot when it is planted and your knee is bent
- Kneeling, squatting, or lifting something heavy
- Playing contact sports
- Degenerative or arthritic knees in older adults
Treatment for a Meniscus Tear
The treatment for a torn meniscus depends on the size and location of the tear and the patient’s activity level. Also, the location of the tear determines how well it will heal. Some people may require non-invasive treatments and chiropractic methods, while others may need surgery.
Outer Edge (Red Zone)
A tear in the outer one-third of the meniscus heals better compared to the inner meniscus as this area has its own blood supply. A small or medium-sized tear responds well to non-invasive treatments such as laser therapy. Laser therapy accelerates the healing and repair process and stimulates the growth of new tissue.
Inner Meniscus (White Zone)
A tear in the inner two-thirds of the meniscus may not heal on its own as this area lacks a good supply of blood. Therefore, arthroscopic surgery is recommended. However, the surgery is not always 100% successful as this part of the meniscus lacks healing ability. The recovery becomes especially difficult for patients over 40 years of age.
What Are the Best Exercises for a Torn Meniscus?
Certain exercises can help increase the strength in your upper leg muscles and the flow of blood to your knee. You can perform the following exercises as a part of your chiropractic treatment or in order to heal after surgery:
- Motion exercises such as flexing and extending the knee
- Stretching exercises to keep the muscles around the knee loose
- Basic exercises such as straight leg raises, and toe raises
- Advanced exercises such as squats, toe raises with weights, and harder stretches
How Long Does It Take for a Torn Meniscus to Heal without Surgery?
If you have the injury in the red zone, a meniscal tear will commonly take up to six to eight weeks to heal completely. The healing time depends upon the position and severity of the tear. Reducing activities that cause excessive stress through the meniscus can help heal it quicker.
Can Chiropractors Help with Torn Meniscus?
Chiropractic care offers an effective, safe, non-invasive, and painless solution for a torn meniscus. A chiropractor uses laser therapy combined with other therapies to reduce knee pain, increase motion, and strengthen the joint muscles. These treatments also help in reducing swelling and improving the overall function of your knee.
Dr. Berry, one of the most trusted chiropractors in Tustin, offers the Class IV K-Laser Knee Program to treat patients with a torn meniscus. Contact us at (714) 639-4640 to get advice from Dr. Berry on your personalized treatment program.
