PT Services for Meniscus Injury

What is a torn meniscus?

The meniscus is a piece of cartilage in the knee that cushions the joint and provides shock absorption between the femur and tibia. The meniscus can tear due to degeneration or a traumatic incident. Traumatic tears usually occur with forceful twisting or rotation during weight-bearing activities. Symptoms of a meniscus tear can include pain, locking, clicking, tenderness and/or weakness.

Can physical therapy make a meniscus tear worse?

The goal of physical therapy is always to improve your symptoms. Occasionally, you may leave a physical therapy session feeling a little more sore than you did initially, but these symptoms should subside within 1-2 days and overall your symptoms should be improving. If you have any questions about your physical therapy, please reach out to your physical therapist at Release PT today.

What are the benefits of doing physical therapy after a meniscus tear?

Physical therapy can help conservative management of a meniscus tear as well as rehabilitation related to a meniscus repair surgery. Your physical therapist at Release Physical Therapy can provide a full examination and help you weigh the pros and cons of surgical intervention. They can also help you with your pre-surgical strengthening and post-operative rehabilitation if needed.

Do all meniscus tears require surgery, or can you just do physical therapy?

Not all meniscus tears require surgery. It is a good idea if you think you have a meniscus tear to schedule an appointment with your physical therapist at Release Physical Therapy today. Your expert physical therapist can educate you on what can be done to prevent surgery, what can be done before surgery if you decide to go that route, and what to expect post-operatively.

Is it okay to walk with a torn meniscus?

Yes, you are able to walk with a torn meniscus, but you should be cautious of your symptoms. If you think you have a torn meniscus, call Release Physical Therapy and schedule an evaluation today so you have a better understanding of what you should and should not be doing to prevent further pain or injury.

When to Start Physical Therapy After Meniscus Surgery

If you are planning to have surgery to repair a torn meniscus, you should plan to see your physical therapist at Release Physical Therapy before your surgery and immediately after (within days). Your therapist at Release Physical Therapy will be the best guide to help you with what to expect and timelines on when you can return to what you love to do.

What are some common physical therapy exercises to do for a torn meniscus?

If you have questions about what exercises can be done for your torn meniscus, it is recommended to schedule a consult with Release Physical Therapy today. Your expert therapist can do a thorough evaluation and guide you in what are the best things you can do to strengthen your knee. These exercises often involve hip, knee, and ankle strengthening exercises, self-joint mobility exercises, balance and proprioceptive exercises, and guidelines on what cardiovascular exercises you can or should do.

How long does it take to see results from meniscus physical therapy?

Everyone’s journey is different with a meniscus tear, dependent on your goals and the severity of the injury. If you have a meniscus tear, schedule an appointment with Release Physical Therapy today to get a better understanding of how long you should expect to be in physical therapy for your tear. Your expert physical therapist at Release Physical Therapy will do a full body examination to get a comprehensive look at what is going on in your knee and the surrounding areas.