The Facts About Non-Operative Meniscal Tear Treatment in South Jersey

The meniscus plays a very important role in the proper functioning of your knee. Made of a strong substance called fibrocartilage, it acts as a shock absorber as you walk, run, and jump. In fact, a large percentage of your body weight is distributed through this small piece of fibrocartilage as it helps to stabilize the joint. It even helps to keep the knee’s cartilage healthy to prevent the early onset of arthritis. If you or someone you love has experienced an injury to the cartilage, you probably have a lot of questions about

non-operative meniscal tear treatment in South Jersey. At

Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, our team of knee specialists is ready to help you in this area by providing important facts about this treatment option.

For relatively inactive or older patients, meniscal tears may go on to become asymptomatic. In these cases, intervening treatment may not be necessary at all. Rather, the patient will simply monitor his or her knee for the development or return of symptoms in the future. Such symptoms would include pain, and sometimes a locking sensation that prevents the full bending or straightening of the knee. In very young patients who have experienced only small tears on the periphery of the meniscal tissue, there is also the chance that the tears may heal on their own.

However, in many cases of meniscal tears, the symptoms do not disappear completely and the tear cannot heal on its own. In fact, symptoms may get worse over time. You may experience increased pain, as well as the sensation of the knee locking up occasionally. In such cases, your doctor will typically begin by recommending one or more of the following options for non-operative meniscal tear treatment in South Jersey:

• Rest: Avoiding activities that aggravate your knee and even using crutches to take some of the pressure of the joint can help to promote healing and avoid re-injury

• Ice: Especially right after the initial injury, icing can reduce pain and swelling.  

• Medication: Some over-the-counter medications can help to ease pain in the knee

• Therapy: Physical therapy can help to strengthen muscles around your knee and in your legs to stabilize and support the knee joint.