How to treat a torn meniscus before surgery?

So, you’ve torn your meniscus. What now? Well, lucky for you, assuming that limping around like Quasimodo isn’t getting you any more attention than usual (what do people really think of us anyway?), the road to recovery doesn’t have to rely solely on surgery. In fact, there are several things that can be done in order to get some sort of relief from this nagging injury.

First Things First: What is a Torn Meniscus?

For those not in-the-know (tsk tsk), the knee joint contains two cushion-like pieces called menisci which act as shock absorbers between the thigh bone and shinbone (tibia). These lovely little pieces of cartilage help stabilize and distribute weight through your knee joint. Unfortunately though, they’re also built with expiration dates (thanks genetics!). So just breathe easy knowing it’s only Mother Nature playing her cruel jokes on us.

Anyways…a torn meniscus, as its name suggests, occurs when one of these shock absorbers has been damaged due to either physical impact or natural deterioration like we mentioned earlier.

Now which type does yours fall under? Here’s an overview:

Types of Torn Menisci

  • Peripheral tear – Often caused by daily wear-and-tear where nerves receive pain signals at the outer edge
  • Radial tear – Generally common among sports related injuries where tears appear along different angles within the meniscal tissue
  • Horizontal tear – More likely seen among mature people when degeneration has set-in after facing previous arthritis problems

Alright alright let’s move on then…

Diagnosis: Signs You Might Have a Torn Meniscus

Before continuing further with treatment options for this pesky problem-child below your waistline ((what were you doing anyways? sheesh!)), let’s consider the facts of how to tell if it really is a torn meniscus as opposed to something like arthritis or osteoporosis or one of those that only our middle-agers have started a club for.

Symptoms to Consider

  • Pain when walking/standing
  • Limited mobility in your knee joint
  • Swelling around your knee joint within 24 hours (be sure not mistake this with bruising which could show on day three)
  • Difficulty straightening your leg completely without pain

If any, or all, of these symptoms sound familiar then we’re sorry but we must confirm officially with bad news – congratulations you’ve got yourself a nice ole’ torn meniscus. (Don’t take offence please. It’s just our way of spinning things lightly for y’all ;))

Treating Your Torn Meniscus Before Surgery: Let’s Go!

Right so…

Unless surgery is an absolute necessity due to extenuating circumstances and/or complete loss-of-functionality situations (severe cases); there are quite a few DIY-treatment options available! All aimed at alleviating those above pains and hindrances associated with running/walking/<$€%^-<. So roll-up those sleeves my friend and get ready because physical therapy starts now!

The RICE method

As weirdly-named as it may be, the R.I.C.E strategy has been preached time-and-time again worldwide by doctors/professionals/coaches-alike over many ages due its effectiveness.

R – Rest Take full rest days according to the severity of injury
I – Ice Apply ice wrapped in a towel/pack onto injured area for 20 minutes every hour till swelling subsides & prevent inflammation
C – Compression Use an elastic bandage/wrap to help reduce the swelling
E – Elevation Keep your knee joint elevated above heart level whenever possible

Medication & Supplements

Taking medications like Ibuprofen or over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol are always recommended in order to minimize discomfort and inflammation, however be sure to consult with a professional first. There are also several supplements on the market that can help protect and rebuild cartilage within our bodies naturally which may be worth reviewing.

One supplement we particularly recommend looking into is called Glucosamine Sulphate, which has been shown in some cases where people have sought improvements in their injured meniscus health but again should not replace consulting with individuals involved regarding medication.

Alternative Therapy Options & Physiotherapy

When it comes to torn menisci treatment alternatives, physiotherapy exercises will generally not only improve strength in surrounding ligaments/muscles (a key factor when dealing with stability) but also aid recovery time following surgery if it ever does come down to needing one.

Moreover other non-invasive treatments such as acupuncture or massage therapy could offer relief from pain/swelling while also promoting good emotional relaxation.

Surgery Might Be Necessary If…

…unfortunately torn menisci falls squarely beyond cautious DIY-treatment options! This doesn’t mean you should panic though (we implore you NOT TO PANIC 😅), medical professionals will always seek out minimally invasive surgical procedures for those of us suffering this type of injury before jumping head-first into more complex operations!

With respect that physical activity remains deeply part of human’s daily routine, treating a torn meniscus needs steadfast commitment both physically mentally – remember R.I.C.E method is king! 😊

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