Have you been told that you have a torn meniscus? Did you then find out that you "needed" to have surgery? Well, part of our goal at BodyFix PT and Performance is to help people avoid surgery. Not all meniscus tears require surgery, and the ones that do should try conservative care, such as PT, before they consider going under the knife.
What is a Meniscus?
There are two menisci in each healthy knee. A medial and lateral meniscus, or one on the inside and one on the outside of the knee when you look in a mirror. The menisci help the knee by absorbing shock. They are made of cartilage and you can consider them like a sponge in the knee.
How Does a Meniscus Tear?
Meniscus tears are usually caused by a sudden twist and/or turn of the knee with the foot planted firmly on the ground. You see them a lot in contact sports, but anyone can tear one with an awkward movement. A violent injury, like a car crash, can also cause a meniscus tear.
What are the Results From Surgery vs Physical Therapy
Many studies have been conducted that show having surgery and physical therapy or just physical therapy have the same results. Given this information, many people choose not to have surgery. The problem is that not everyone has the information.
There are a few major drawbacks to having surgery:
Increased chance of infection
Increased risk due to an invasive procedure
Increased chance of knee replacement later in life
We are not trying to scare you from having surgery. Some people need surgery even after they try PT. We just want you to know the risks of your decision. Either way, surgery or no surgery, we can help you recover and return to full participation in all of your activities.
Reach out to us to schedule a free phone call and talk with your physical therapist today!
425-202-5687
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