The meniscus is a rubbery, C-shaped piece of cartilage that helps to cushion and stabilize the bones in the knee joint. While the meniscus is built to absorb shock, it can tear if the knee is suddenly & forcefully rotated or twisted. For patients of all ages, following meniscus injury prevention guidelines is advised to help strengthen the muscles which support the knee, thus protecting against meniscus tears. In this article, we’ll offer simple tips that can help lower your chances of sustaining a meniscus injury.
Meniscus Injury Prevention Tips
By incorporating the following meniscus injury prevention strategies into your daily routine, you can effectively reduce your risk of experiencing this common cartilage injury:
- – Don’t try to “push through” knee pain – If you experience knee discomfort, take time off from activities to rest. Attempting to work through knee pain/soreness can add inflammation and make the joint more susceptible to injury.
- – Add dynamic stretching to your routine – Before & after exercising, get in the habit of doing dynamic stretches. These are stretches which involve moving your muscles & joints through their full range of motion in a smooth, controlled fashion.
- – Choose your footwear wisely – Shoes worn for athletics should fit properly, have good traction and provide adequate support.
- – Increase the intensity of your workouts at an even pace – Trying to advance too quickly can put excessive strain on your muscles, potentially resulting in a meniscus tear or another orthopedic injury.
While taking steps to maintain strong, balanced knees can help prevent meniscus tears, they can still occur – especially during activities which involve running or jumping. Common indicators of a torn meniscus include a popping noise at the time of injury, persistent knee pain, swelling and difficulty bending/straightening the affected leg.
Reading, PA Patients Rely On Dr. Soffer for Exceptional Orthopedic Care
If you believe you may have sustained a meniscus injury, you can count on Dr. Stephen Soffer to help you get on the road to recovery. As a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Soffer excels in performing arthroscopic meniscus repair surgery. He also offers advanced conservative treatments for orthopedic injuries, which may be sufficient to provide relief and promote healing in certain cases.
Whether or not your injury necessitates surgery, Dr. Soffer has the skills and experience needed to help you recover & resolve your symptoms. To determine the most appropriate course of treatment for you, he will take your age, activity level and the characteristics of your injury into account. Call our office today at 610-375-4949 to arrange an appointment with Dr. Soffer – in person or via telemedicine.
