What happens if a meniscus tear is left untreated?

If not treated, part of the meniscus may come loose and slip into the joint. You may need surgery to restore full knee function. Untreated meniscus tears can increase in size and lead to complications, such as arthritis.

What happens if you don't fix a torn meniscus?

An untreated meniscus tear can result in the frayed edge getting caught in the joint, causing pain and swelling. It can also result in long term knee problems such as arthritis and other soft tissue damage.

How long can you leave a torn meniscus untreated?

It could be 8 weeks or more before you're back to regular activities. Some meniscal tears, however, won't improve without surgery, so it's important to consult with a specialist who can talk through your options.

Can a torn meniscus get worse over time?

A meniscus tear can get worse when left untreated. For example, you might have trouble managing the pain and swelling in your knee, or your knee may continue feeling like it's catching or locking. If you feel your symptoms are getting worse instead of better, it could be a sign that your tear isn't healing quite right.

How do you heal a torn meniscus naturally?

What happens if a meniscus tear goes untreated?

Can you live with a torn meniscus?

“You can live with a meniscus tear,” Dr. Parker says. “And it may heal on its own, or just not cause you problems.”

What percentage of meniscus tears require surgery?

Differing treatment

It's important to know the differences between the tears because usually only acute traumatic tears are surgically repairable. Less than 10 percent of meniscal tears occurring in patients age 40 or older can be repaired.

How do I know if my meniscus tear is severe?

Severe. A tear is usually labeled as severe if the meniscus has a big tear. Loose pieces may cause the knee joint to lock or catch. This level of injury may also keep you from bending or straightening your leg and can make walking difficult.

How do I know if my meniscus tear needs surgery?

If you have a small tear at the outer edge of the meniscus (in what doctors call the red zone ), you may want to try home treatment. These tears often heal with rest. If you have a moderate to large tear at the outer edge of the meniscus (red zone), you may want to think about surgery.

What are 3 signs of a meniscus tear in the knee?

Should I wear a knee brace with a torn meniscus?

Yes. Although knee braces do not heal or treat your meniscus tear directly, they can provide extra support and stability for your knee while your meniscus injury heals. A good brace will protect your knee and take the pressure off your meniscus, allowing it to rest.

Can a meniscus tear lead to knee replacement?

Conclusions: In patients with knee osteoarthritis arthroscopic knee surgery with meniscectomy is associated with a three fold increase in the risk for future knee replacement surgery.

Should you walk with torn meniscus?

Unless the torn meniscus has locked the knee, many people with a torn meniscus can walk, stand, sit, and sleep without pain. Other people find that the torn meniscus prevents them from participating comfortably in their usual daily activities.

Will a cortisone shot help a torn meniscus?

A cortisone injection can effectively reduce pain and inflammation in your knee, as in the case of a torn meniscus. It's only a temporary solution to your pain, though. It can't heal your meniscus and may even delay your healing. It also can't prevent you from injuring it again in the future.

Is meniscus surgery a major surgery?

Meniscus surgery is a common operation to remove or repair a torn meniscus, a piece of cartilage in the knee. The surgery requires a few small incisions and takes about an hour. Recovery and rehabilitation take a few weeks.

Can you walk immediately after meniscus surgery?

Arthroscopic surgery for a torn meniscus (meniscectomy)

It may take 4-5 months for full healing. The patient should be able to bear weight on the knee while standing or walking, immediately after surgery. Crutches will be necessary for 2-7 days after surgery.

Which is worse lateral or medial meniscus tear?

However, it is well known that if a lateral meniscus is taken out, the consequences are almost always worse than having a medial meniscus resected.

Why is meniscus tear so painful?

Meniscus tears hurt because they upset the lining or the synovium of the knee. The synovium has a lot of nerves in it and this synovium will cause significant pain, and swelling when it is irritated.

Is a torn meniscus extremely painful?

Meniscus tears can cause severe pain, and they don't heal on their own. If you have knee pain, swelling, and stiffness, it's important to seek a diagnosis as soon as possible.

Will my knee ever be the same after meniscus surgery?

Most meniscal surgeries (95%) are partial meniscectomies where part of the meniscus is actually removed, not just repaired. Therefore, the remaining meniscus is now smaller and does not perform as well.

What is a Grade 3 meniscal tear?

Meniscus tears, indicated by MRI, are classified in three grades. Grades 1 and 2 are not considered serious. They may not even be apparent with an arthroscopic examination. Grade 3 is a true meniscus tear and an arthroscope is close to 100 percent accurate in diagnosing this tear.

What should I avoid with a torn meniscus?

The only way to prevent and avoid a torn meniscus is to avoid activities that cause the knees to twist, bend, or rotate in an extreme fashion. If a person cannot avoid these activities, they should take as much care as possible while participating in them.

Who is not a good candidate for knee replacement?

Patients with inflammatory arthritis of the knee usually have joint damage in all three compartments and therefore are not good candidates for partial knee replacement. However, inflammatory arthritis patients who decide to have total knee replacement have an extremely high likelihood of success.

Is heat or cold better for torn meniscus?

Too much cold will keep your injury in the same state - slowing down the healing process. This can sometimes make chronic injuries linger even longer. Heat (Circulation Boost) should be used when you suffer from a chronic, tight or stiff meniscus injury and after you reduce swelling, pain and inflammation with cold.

How do you sleep with a torn meniscus?