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Dealing with knee pain or stiffness? You might be suffering the effects of a torn meniscus. Once this common injury happens, prompt treatment can help ensure that you heal as swiftly as possible.
At California Pain Medicine Center in Santa Monica, California, expert pain management specialists, Dr. Joshua Prager, Dr. Gabriel Barnard, and their team offer a range of treatments for sports injuries, including meniscus tears.
Take a few minutes to learn more about injury, including effective treatments and how long recovery can take.
Each of your knees contains two curved pieces of cartilage known as meniscuses, which provide cushioning between your thigh and shin bones. If you tear one, intense pain, stiffness, and swelling are likely. You may also have trouble moving your knee like normal.
A torn meniscus happens when you forcefully twist or rotate your knee. While the injury can affect almost anyone, it often stems from:
How long it takes for your meniscus tear to heal depends on several factors, including the location of the tear, the severity of your injury, and the specifics of your treatment.
If your meniscus tear affects the outer third of your meniscus, it might heal on its own or benefit most from surgery. If it’s in the inner two-thirds, a lack of blood flow may make it impossible to heal without surgical trimming or removal.
If your meniscus tear is linked with arthritis, treatment for arthritis will likely improve your meniscus symptoms over time.
Nonsurgical treatment for meniscus tears may include:
With conservative treatments, your meniscus tear may heal within 6-8 weeks. Once initial healing has taken place, full rehabilitation — on your own or with physical therapy — generally takes 3-6 months. Surgery to repair your tear, known as a meniscectomy, takes somewhat less healing time, or roughly 3-6 weeks.
To enhance your healing, we may also recommend:
Your provider at California Pain Medicine Center can help determine your best course of treatment and estimate your healing time.
To learn more about meniscus injuries or to get the care you need, call our office at 310-264-7246 or request an appointment through our website today.
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