Are you recovering from a meniscus tear? Meniscus tears are common knee injuries that can occur from sudden twisting or rotating movements and cause severe pain and discomfort. At Twin Boro Physical Therapy, our physical therapists are dedicated to providing comprehensive treatment for meniscus tears, using advanced, evidence-based care tailored to each patient’s needs, enabling them to regain strength, mobility, and function.
Benefits of Physical Therapy for Meniscus Tears
Symptoms of a meniscus tear include pain, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty moving the knee. Physical therapy for meniscus tears helps reduce pain, improve range of motion, and enhance function. It enables patients to easily perform daily activities, such as walking, running, or standing for prolonged periods. Physical therapy can also help prevent the need for surgery in some cases. In cases where surgery is necessary, physical therapy helps patients prepare for and recover from surgery, reducing the risk of complications and promoting a faster recovery.
Treatment Techniques for Meniscus Tears
Physical therapists at Twin Boro Physical Therapy often utilize the following techniques to promote healing, alleviate pain, and restore function to the knee.
Manual therapy: Helps reduce pain and stiffness in the knee joint by improving circulation, reducing inflammation, and increasing range of motion. These techniques involve hands-on pressure and movement to manipulate the soft tissues and joints of the knee, promoting healing and reducing pain, and include:
- Massage – Deep tissue massage, myofascial release, or trigger point therapy can help reduce muscle tension and improve circulation.
- Joint mobilization – Gentle movements of the joint can improve joint mobility and reduce stiffness.
- Manipulation – High-velocity, low-amplitude thrust applied to a joint can restore normal joint movement.
Therapeutic Exercises: Therapeutic exercises are essential to physical therapy for meniscus tears. Strengthening exercises can improve stability and support of the knee joint, reducing strain and promoting healing. Exercises may include leg presses, squats, and resistance band exercises. Flexibility exercises can also reduce stiffness in the knee joint. Your physical therapist may recommend specific exercises based on your needs and goals.
Modalities: Various modalities are also utilized in comprehensive treatment plans at Twin Boro Physical Therapy. These techniques can help reduce pain and inflammation, promote circulation, and accelerate the healing process:
- Heat therapy – Applying heat to the affected area can increase blood flow and reduce muscle spasms.
- Ice therapy – Applying ice to the affected area can reduce inflammation and pain.
- Ultrasound therapy – High-frequency sound waves can generate heat and promote healing.
- Electrical stimulation – Applying electrical currents to the affected area can reduce pain and improve muscle function.
Injury and Recovery Education: Our physical therapists also work with patients to develop a home exercise program to help them maintain progress outside of therapy. The program may include exercises, stretches, and other activities that the patient can perform independently. Injury and recovery education may also include instruction on proper posture, body mechanics, and ergonomics to help prevent future injuries.
Ready to Get Started?
At Twin Boro Physical Therapy, our highly qualified therapists will work with you to provide comprehensive treatment for meniscus tears using various physical therapy techniques. We believe in working with our patients to optimize their function and overall quality of life. You can schedule your first appointment by calling 732.554.0775 or visiting our website at https://twinboro.com/.
