Whats the Treatment for a Meniscus Tear?
Happily, mild to moderate meniscus tears may heal on their own, given time. To speed the healing, you can: • Rest the knee. Try to avoid putting weight on your knee as much as possible. You may need to use crutches for a time. • Ice your knee to reduce pain and swelling. Do it for 20-30 minutes every 3-4 hours for 2-3 days, or until the pain and swelling is gone. • Compress your knee. Use an elastic bandage, straps, or sleeves on your knee to control swelling. • Elevate your knee on a pillow when you’re sitting or lying down. • Wear a knee brace to protect your knee from getting re-injured. • Take anti-inflammatory painkillers. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like Advil, Aleve, or Motrin, will help with pain and swelling. However, these drugs can have side effects, like an increased risk of bleeding and ulcers. They should be only used occasionally, unless your doctor specifically says otherwise. • Practice stretching and strengthening exercises if your doctor recommend
