What Is the Best Way to Rehabilitate Meniscus Tears?

A torn meniscus is a very common knee injury, especially for athletes, runners, and skiers. It can be painful and prevent you from being as active as you would like. Depending on the severity of the tear, you may require surgery. However, physical therapy is also very useful in helping rehabilitate meniscus tears.

How Do I Know If I Have a Meniscus Tear?

Symptoms of a meniscus tear that may warrant a visit to Specialty Orthopaedics include the following:

• Knee pain
• Pain in the side of the knee
• Pain in the center of the knee
• Recurring knee pain / pain that comes and goes
• Clicking feeling or sound in the knee
• Knee stiffness
• Immobility / inability to walk
• Inability to straighten the knee
• Knee instability or “knee giving out”

Recovering from Knee Injuries Like Meniscus Tears Takes Time

Physical therapy is very useful in helping you regain the full range of motion in your knee joint. If you are an athlete who needs to be out on the field quickly, surgery may be the first step. For many people, however, physical therapy is a more conservative and less invasive treatment that can have good outcomes, especially if you are older or have osteoarthritis.

The Goal of Physical Therapy

The goal of physical therapy for a meniscus tear is to rebuild your strength and range of motion in the knee. These exercises can also help prevent future injuries by strengthening the muscles that support the joint. The areas of focus for physical therapy include the quads and hamstrings as well as your calves. Your physical therapist and doctor will develop a plan that most likely will emphasize regaining range of motion first and in the beginning, you may do nothing more than stretch until you can do so without pain. As your tolerance and strength grow, more aggressive exercises can be added to your regimen, including squats and leg raises.

If you are experiencing symptoms of a meniscus tear, visit Specialty Orthopaedics. Our New York orthopedic practice is home to a team of fellowship-trained orthopedists in a variety of orthopedic specialty areas. We offer comprehensive treatment for musculoskeletal disorders in a caring and responsive clinical atmosphere. Give us a call at 914.686.0111 or fill out the form on this page to schedule your appointment today.