Just another iHealthSpot WP02 site

Joint Replacement Institute
  • (239) 261-2663
  • Patient Portal
  • Online Bill Pay
  • Request an Appointment
MENUMENU
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Meet Our Team
    • H. Kurtis Biggs, DO
    • Brian Wallace, DO
    • Paul Beebe, MD
    • J. Scott Herron, MD
    • Cody Togher, DPM
    • Physician Assistants
    • Physical Therapy Team
  • Conditions We Treat
    • Arthritis
    • Bursitis
    • Cartilage Tears
    • Elbow Pain
    • Foot & Ankle Injuries
    • Fractures & Dislocations
    • Hand & Wrist Injuries
    • Hip & Knee Injuries
    • Hip Pain
    • Knee Pain
    • Ligament Disruptions
    • Neck & Back Pain
    • Repetitive Stress Disorders
    • Shoulder Pain
    • Sports Injuries
    • Sprains
    • Tendonitis
    • Work-Related Injuries
  • Surgery Specialties
    • Arthroscopy
    • Foot & Ankle Surgery
    • Hand Surgery
    • Hip Surgery
    • Knee Surgery
    • Robotic Surgery
    • Shoulder Surgery
    • Total Joint Replacement
  • On-Site Services & Products
    • Diagnostic Imaging
    • Injection Clinic
    • Pain Management
    • Patient-Specific Implants
    • Physical Therapy
    • Products
    • PRP Therapy
    • Sports Medicine
  • New Patients & Resources
    • Blog
    • Patient Education
    • Physician Referral
  • Reviews
  • Contact Us

How a Sports Medicine Doctor Treats a Meniscus Tear

October 29, 2021

Basketball Player Getting Physical Therapy

The meniscus is a tough, rubbery cartilage structure located between your thigh bone and shinbone that acts as a shock absorber. Although it’s durable, a torn meniscus is one of the most common knee injuries.

Athletes are prone to meniscus tears, especially those who routinely perform twisting motions like pivoting. If the tear is small, you may be able to walk and perform everyday tasks with minimal pain and difficulty. However, in more severe instances, you may need surgery.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options for a Torn Meniscus

Depending on the severity, size, and location of your meniscus tear, it may heal without surgery. You should consult a sports medicine doctor before undergoing any treatment. This way, you can receive an accurate diagnosis and an appropriate treatment.

When you have a torn meniscus, it’s crucial to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment because your injury wouldn’t heal well otherwise. If your torn meniscus doesn’t heal properly, you may experience instability in your affected knee. This will significantly impact your athletic performance and how you go about everyday life. In addition, you may also be more prone to other knee injuries, particularly torn ligaments.

Your sports medicine physician may recommend the following if they deem your meniscus tear safe enough to heal without surgery:

R.I.C.E. Method

Your doctor may recommend the R.I.C.E. method to help facilitate the healing of your torn meniscus.

  • Rest — Refrain from putting weight on your injured knee.
  • Ice — Apply ice to the affected area to relieve pain and decrease swelling. Remove the ice after 20 minutes. Going for longer may cause additional tissue damage.
  • Compress — Wrap a bandage around your knee to reduce inflammation.
  • Elevate — Place your injured knee on a level above your heart to help reduce swelling.

Medication

If necessary, your sports medicine doctor may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These will help with pain management and reducing swelling.

Support Gear

Equipment that provides support may be necessary for the treatment of your torn meniscus. Your sports medicine doctor may recommend a cast or knee brace since your injury may cause instability and weakness.

In addition, your doctor will recommend that you wear a pair of well-fitted footwear that provides enough support for your feet arches. You should also wear shoes that are fit for the sport you play.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can help you achieve stability for your knee joints. You can do so by stretching and strengthening your muscles, particularly your legs and knees.

Make sure to pace yourself when working out. Start slow and gradually build up the intensity of your exercises. You may want to keep the following in mind when you work out:

  • Wear correct gear that provides ample support
  • Use and maintain proper form and technique
  • Do warm-up exercises and cool-down stretches

Arthroscopic Knee Surgery for a Torn Meniscus

Severe meniscus tears may not heal on their own. If that’s the case, your sports medicine physician may recommend arthroscopic knee surgery to repair the tear.

Knee arthroscopy is a safe, minimally-invasive procedure that makes use of small incisions. Compared to traditional surgeries, knee arthroscopy is typically an outpatient procedure. It has a shorter recovery period than open surgery and decreased infection risk, pain, and swelling.

The procedure is typically for large meniscus tears located on the outer sections of the knee cartilage. It’s also commonly done for tears sustained in the inner cartilage areas. Depending on your condition, your doctor may trim the torn pieces of your meniscus and smoothen the remaining sections. In other instances, your provider may stitch the torn meniscus pieces back together.

After arthroscopic surgery, your sports medicine physician may recommend that you rest and ice your injured knee. You may also be required to wear a cast or brace or help facilitate healing. Physical therapy may also help you get your strength back as you recover. In addition, therapy can help you avoid sustaining other injuries in the future.

Doctor of Sports Medicine in Naples, FL

Meniscus tears can sometimes heal on their own. However, it’s best to seek medical assistance to get an accurate diagnosis. A sports medicine doctor will also be able to recommend a treatment plan that’s best suited to your condition. Aside from that, they can help you regain knee strength and learn how to prevent reinjury.

If you’re looking for a sports medicine doctor in Naples, FL, look no further than the Joint Replacement Institute. Our healthcare providers and board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic specialists in Naples, FL, can give you a comprehensive and personalized treatment plan.

If you want to learn more about our orthopedic services, you may call our friendly staff at (239) 261-2663. If you would like to schedule a consultation, you may use our secure online appointment request form. We look forward to helping you get back on your feet!

Filed Under: Sports Injuries Tagged With: arthroscopic knee surgery, joint pain, Joint Replacement Institute, Meniscus Tear, Orthopedic specialists in Naples FL, Orthopedic Surgeons near me, orthopedics, pain management, Sports Injuries, sports medicine naples fl, Treatment for a Torn Meniscus

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • How Long is Stem Cell Treatment Effective?
  • How to Find the Best Hip Replacement Surgeon
  • The Ideal Partial Knee Replacement Candidate
  • Preparation Tips for Hip Replacement Surgery
  • 4 Benefits of Getting Your Feet Checked by a Foot Doctor
October 2021
M T W T F S S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
« Sep   Nov »

Categories

  • Arthroscopic Surgery
  • Bunions
  • Diabetic Foot Care
  • Fluoroscopy
  • Foot & Ankle Pain
  • Foot Care
  • Foot Doctor
  • General
  • Joint Replacement Surgery
  • Knee
  • MRI
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Orthopedics
  • Pain Management
  • Partial Knee Replacement
  • Peripheral Neuropathy
  • Physical Therapy
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Podiatry
  • Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction
  • PRP Therapy
  • Robotic Surgery
  • Shoulder Pain
  • Shoulder Replacement
  • Sports Injuries
  • Sports Medicine
  • Sprains & Strains
  • Stem Cell Therapy
  • Ultrasound

TAGS

Arthroscopic Knee Surgery Naples FL Arthroscopic Surgery Arthroscopic Surgery Naples FL Arthroscopic Surgery near me best podiatrist near me bunion treatment in Naples FL Chronic Pain Foot and Ankle Doctor Foot and Ankle Doctor Naples FL Foot and Ankle Doctor near me Foot Doctor in Naples foot doctor near me foot pain treatment Naples FL foot pain treatment near me Foot Problems heel pain hip replacement near me Hip Replacement Surgery Naples FL joint pain Joint Replacement Joint Replacement Institute Joint Replacement Surgeon Naples FL joint surgery knee replacement orthopedic doctor in Naples FL orthopedic doctor Naples FL orthopedic doctor near me orthopedics orthopedic specialist near me Orthopedic Surgeon near me Orthopedic Surgeons Naples FL Orthopedic Surgeons near me Orthopedic Surgery near me pain management Podiatrist In Naples FL Podiatrist Naples FL Podiatrist near me podiatry care Naples FL podiatry care near me Podiatry Office near me Reverse Shoulder Replacement Shoulder Replacement Surgery Sports Injuries Sports Medicine Physician near me Stem Cell Therapy near me

Footer

Patient Testimonials

We often hear from our patients about how the doctors and staff at the Joint Replacement Institute have helped them.

See More

The Joint
Replacement
Institute BLOG

Keep up with the latest developments in orthopedic care, as well as news about our practice and events we sponsor.

Learn More

Patient
Education
Library

Our patient education library features more than 200 award-winning articles with images, videos, and tons of helpful information.

Learn More

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Meet Our Team
  • Conditions We Treat
  • Surgery Specialties
  • On-Site Services & Products
  • New Patients & Resources
  • Reviews
  • Contact Us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • HIPAA Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap

The Joint Replacement Institute

(239) 261-2663 (BONE) Fax: (239) 262-5633 (KNEE)

Copyright © The Joint Replacement Institute. All Rights Reserved.

iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

The Joint Replacement Institute in Naples, FL, offers Arthroscopy, Foot & Ankle Surgery, Hip Surgery, Knee Surgery, Robotic Surgery, Shoulder Surgery, and, Total Joint Replacement for a number of orthopedic conditions. In addition, we provide multiple on-site services and products.