Can Physical Therapy Heal a Torn Meniscus?
Can physical therapy heal a torn meniscus? Or is surgery the answer?
A torn meniscus is one of the most common knee injuries. It can be extremely painful or even completely debilitating. Swelling, difficulty bending and straightening the knee and a feeling of your knee locking up are all symptoms of this injury. If you have ever experienced this kind of injury, you may be curious about your treatment options.
What Happens If You Leave a Torn Meniscus Untreated?
Like a lot of knee injuries, the meniscus can tear as a result of activities that cause you to twist or rotate your knee aggressively. Because of this, many athletes, especially those who play football, volleyball and soccer, are at risk for tearing their meniscus. Older individuals are also at risk since the meniscus can weaken with age. In fact, more than 40% of those 65 and older experience this condition.
Left untreated, a torn meniscus can result in even more damage. Not only that, but it can also lead to the onset of osteoarthritis and myriad other painful conditions.
Thankfully physical therapy can help with the healing process.
Physical Therapy vs Surgery for Knee Meniscus Tear
Not all meniscal tears require surgery. In fact, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that physical therapy can be just as effective. Physical therapy for meniscal tears shows similar rates of functional improvement and pain scores as compared with meniscal surgery.
Treating a Meniscus Tear with Physical Therapy
Treatment to help recover from a torn meniscus and speed up recovery depends on the location and size of the tear. Activity level, age and other related injuries also influence an individual’s physical therapy treatment plan.
Treatment goals typically include improving the knee’s range of motion, decreasing knee pain and swelling, improving functional mobility and increasing strength of the muscles that stabilize the knee.
Physical Therapy to Heal a Torn Meniscus
Physical therapy is a conservative approach to recover from a torn meniscus and other knee injuries. It’s important to realize the benefits of therapy versus immediate knee surgery. Many achieve their functional goals after knee injuries with physical therapy alone. However, those who have physical therapy but still required knee surgery have better functional outcomes than those that did not have pre surgery physical therapy.
If you’ve recently experienced an injury to your meniscus, stay patient with the process and ensure that you’re fully educated before making your treatment decision. As one of the top physical therapy centers in New Jersey, Twin Boro utilizes a unique One2Four approach to help patients recover from a torn meniscus and get back to the activities they love and enjoy.
Call the skilled experts at1-732-444-3578 or schedule an appointment to learn more about Twin Boro Physical Therapy in NJ and receive a treatment plan designed specifically for you.
Twin Boro Physical Therapy: Voted Readers’ Choice Best of New Jersey
Voted Readers’ Choice Best of New Jersey, Twin Boro has provided NJ residents with high quality physical therapy and rehab for over 38 years! It’s our award-winning approach, proven results and reputation that sets us apart. By incorporating the One2Four program into each patient’s program, the latest and most reliable scientific research and techniques are incorporated into effective evidence-based practice. We deliver only the highest standard of care with the unique One2Four approach.
It’s no surprise that Twin Boro Physical Therapy has also been voted the best physical therapy practice in New Jersey by the readers of mycentraljersey.com.
