A meniscus tear is an injury to the shock absorber of the knee joint. Two types of cartilage are in the knee. The meniscus is a type of cartilage that sits between the thigh bone and shin bone. The meniscus functions to cushion the knee joint and provide stability to the knee joint. A meniscus tear is a common injury to the meniscus.
Non-Surgical Treatments for a Meniscus Tear:
An acute meniscus tear can be treated with ice application, rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy. These simple measures will help decrease swelling and pain in the joint.
Depending on the size and type of the meniscus tear, and the physical demands of the patient, these may be the only treatments necessary. A cortisone injection can be a helpful treatment to reduce inflammation within the joint, but it will not help heal the meniscus tear. If these treatments fail to provide relief, a surgical procedure may be recommended.