Physical therapy for a meniscus tear — can it help?

Whether you’re an athlete, a person with a physical job or count yourself among the very active, a meniscus tear can be a devastating injury. The menisci are pieces of tough rubbery cartilage that help to absorb shock in the knee joint. Because so many activities, including sports and physical labor, place such a large amount of stress on the knees, meniscal tears are relatively common. 

While surgery is recommended in a very large number of cases where diagnostic imagery, such as an MRI, shows a torn meniscus, it’s important to thoroughly explore your treatment options. Physical therapy for a meniscus tear and related knee pain can be highly effective and potentially prevent the need for surgery. By having a better understanding of the benefits that a therapist can provide, we hope you can make an informed and confident decision about your treatment. 

Relieving knee pain and improving mobility related to a torn meniscus

The first step in receiving physical therapy for a meniscus tear is to meet with your therapist. Physical therapists are experts in the musculoskeletal system and are uniquely qualified to help you understand this condition and the range of causes. You should expect a review of your diagnostic imagery, questions and answers about your specific symptoms and a discussion of your lifestyle and treatment goals. 

From there, he or she will perform movement and stability tests to assess your biomechanics and determine if there are any issues that may be contributing to your injury. To help the recovery process, you can work with your therapist to develop a treatment plan that consists of a combination of therapeutic exercise, passive manual techniques and other methods designed to accomplish the following goals: 

• Assist the healing process
• Improve range of motion
• Increase stability
• Strengthen supporting muscles 
• Mobilize and relax soft tissue 

You can also expect to receive education and instruction regarding lifestyle choices you can make, exercises you can perform at home and treatments that can help between physical therapy sessions. 

Torn meniscus physical therapy at SSOR

At Specialists in Sports and Orthopedic Rehabilitation, our expert therapists have decades of combined experience helping patients overcome knee pain and other problems related to injuries such as a meniscus tear. At our state-of-the-art facilities, we are committed to delivering patient-centered care to help you get back to the healthy and active lifestyle you deserve. 

To learn more and schedule your initial appointment, contact our caring and dedicated team today.