10 May 2022,
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meniscus tear recovery timetable

A common knee injury among both athletic and less active individuals, meniscus tears can cause discomfort, knee instability, stiffness, swelling and a popping/catching sensation. Experiencing any of the above may lead a patient to wonder about the meniscus tear diagnosis process, the meniscus tear recovery timetable and what type/level of treatment may be needed to resolve their symptoms. Ultimately, the answers will depend on the individual case; but, there are some general things you can expect when recovering from a meniscus injury. Let’s go into more detail.

Meniscus Tear: Recovery Timetable

If you have knee pain and other possible meniscus tear symptoms that aren’t going away with rest, it’s important to see an orthopedic expert as soon as possible. Getting the proper diagnosis and treatment for your knee condition will prevent it from getting worse and becoming harder to treat, whether it’s a meniscus tear or something else.

If your orthopedic physician determines that you have sustained a meniscus tear, you may ask if it can heal on its own or whether surgery may be required. 

Your personal meniscus tear recovery timetable and treatment plan will be based upon the severity of your injury and other factors like your age and activity level. Here are a few things to know:

  • – Smaller, less severe meniscus tears are more likely to be resolved with nonoperative treatments, such as taking pain relievers and taking time off from activities. Still, it’s best to be under the care of an orthopedic surgeon in case conservative treatment fails to provide full relief. 
  • – For a larger, more severe or treatment-resistant meniscus tear – or one that’s located on the inner edge of the meniscus, which receives minimal blood supply – surgical meniscus repair may be recommended.
  • – Depending on the type of meniscus procedure you undergo, rehabilitation time can vary. If a portion or all of your meniscus is removed through meniscectomy, you can anticipate a recovery time of around one month. 
  • – The rehabilitation period following surgical meniscus repair may be a bit more lengthy – generally, it takes around three months for a patient to complete their recovery after this procedure. 

Taking into account your individual situation, an orthopedic professional can give you a more precise idea of what to expect in terms of your recovery time and post-procedure restrictions you may have if you opt to have meniscus surgery

Get to the Bottom of Your Knee Issue with Dr. Soffer

If you’re eager to understand the cause of your knee pain and find an effective, individualized solution, Dr. Stephen Soffer is here to help. To offer his world-class orthopedic services to patients in the Reading, PA area, Dr. Soffer draws on the latest, most advanced technologies and his extensive experience. His training included a sports medicine fellowship with renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews, helping Dr. Soffer to become a top orthopedic surgeon himself. 

To learn more about operative and nonoperative knee treatments offered by Dr. Soffer and schedule an appointment, call our office at 610-375-4949.


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