What is Non-Surgical Meniscus Treatment? What are the methods?

According to the degree of the tear in meniscus disorders, rest with flexible bandage, strengthening with isometric exercises and non-surgical treatment with manual therapy programs can be applied.

What is Meniscus?

The C-shaped elastic structures between the thigh and leg bones that form the knee joint are called meniscus. The menisci are located bilaterally on each knee, one inside and the other outside, and they absorb the loads on the knee, increase lubricity and provide a balanced distribution of joint fluid.

How Does a Meniscus Tear Occur?

The menisci are composed of collagen fibers that prevent the bones from rubbing and eroding while the knee is in motion, and has an elastic structure resistant to pressure. Meniscus tear, especially known as an athlete's injury, causes the cartilage part to wear off as a result of forceful movements of the knee or to get stuck between the knee joints, causing the knee to lock and restrict its movement. 

What are the Causes of Meniscus Tear Occurrence?

Meniscus tear occurs as a result of the knee being exposed to a sudden pressure and pressure that cannot be subsidized, and for this reason, it is known as athlete's disease among the public. Athletes who are involved in sports such as football that involve intense kicking and fast running or that require jumping and changing direction by breaking the knee, such as basketball, may face the risk of meniscus tear. 

Although meniscus tears are mostly considered as a result of an active sports life, they can also be seen frequently in people who do not do sports. In particular, squatting with the knees folded or sitting in the same position for a long time with the knees folded can cause meniscus injuries. For this reason, it is especially recommended for housewives to use a broom or hand mop while cleaning at home, instead of squatting on the floor by folding the knees. 

The loss of flexibility and weakening of the meniscus with age can cause individuals over the age of 65 to face the problems of meniscus tear or degeneration. In addition, excess weight is an important factor that triggers meniscus tears. For this reason, meniscus tear, known as athlete's disease, is a knee problem that can be seen in many people and can change depending on age and movement habits. 

What Are the Symptoms of a Meniscus Tear?

Meniscus tears generally occur with pain in the knee. Knee pain can be continuous, or it can occur due to certain movements. In addition, as a result of meniscus tears, knee entrapment, discharge, jumping sensation or knee locking are also observed among the symptoms. 

Meniscus tears may not present with severe pain in the first stage. However, if it is not treated, the pain may increase at night and cause inflammation in and around the joint cartilage, and as a result, swelling and limitation of movement may occur.

How Is the Meniscus Diagnosed?

The 3 main symptoms of meniscus tears are pain, swelling and joint locking in the knee. Patients who come to the examination with 3 basic complaints are first made a detailed control and MRI examination can be requested by listening to the patient's history. 

In addition to MRI examination, Mc Murray and Ailey tests can also be applied to determine the correct diagnosis and treatment method. Because although a meniscus tear is detected as a result of MRI, in some cases, the cause of knee pain may not be a tear.

What are Non-Surgical Meniscus Treatment Methods?

As the cause of every knee pain will not be meniscus, surgery is not the only solution for every meniscus tear. The methods to be applied in the treatment of meniscus tears vary according to the degree of the tear and the age and physical structure of the patient.

In the treatment of meniscus tear, inflammatory drug therapy is started primarily to reduce the severity of pain. In mild tears, cold water compresses are applied to the deformed knee area for 3-4 days, and patients are advised to rest with a flexible bandage. Tears smaller than 5 mm can close spontaneously with the help of isometric exercises to be applied after rest.

What is Manual Therapy Method in Meniscus Treatment?

In mild and moderate meniscus disorders, successful results can be obtained with manual therapy, which is a part of the physical therapy program applied together with medical exercises. With the application of manual therapy, manual mobilization, fractionation and manipulation methods are applied on the deformed area that causes pain and limitation of movement. 

Medical exercise programs carried out together with manual therapy aim to restore the functional form of the meniscus by strengthening the muscles. In addition, patients are encouraged to lose excess weight during meniscus treatment, thus minimizing the pressure on the knee during the healing process.

What Do Meniscus Exercises Do?

Meniscus exercises are a set of healing movements applied to regain the mobility of the knee, especially during meniscus treatment. With meniscus exercises, it helps to strengthen the muscles around the knee by supporting the knee of the legs and regaining the flexibility of the meniscus tissue.

What are the Natural Methods to Relieve Meniscus Pain?

The most important symptom of meniscus tears and deformations is knee pain. In order to relieve meniscus pain, which may increase during the day or accompanied by changes due to movement, applying other natural methods in addition to anti-inflammatory drug therapy can help in obtaining fast and effective results.

Resting the leg can be the fastest and most effective method to relieve the meniscus pain that develops due to movement. During the resting phase, you can sit and lie down for a while by extending your leg to 90 degrees, or you can reduce the pressure on the knee by walking with the help of crutches. 

Ice compress helps to relieve pain and pain, especially by applying it on swellings that are accompanied by pain. Successful results can be obtained if the ice compress is applied at regular intervals for at least 3 days or for 3-4 hours until the swelling on the knee is healed. 

Another method of relieving pain and swelling due to meniscal tear is bandaging with a neoprene type tape or an elastic bandage. The bandaging technique helps to relieve pain by compressing the knee and helps to relieve swelling. 

What are the Ways to Prevent a Meniscus Tear?

Meniscus injuries mostly occur as a result of an incorrect movement on the knee or excessive strain on the knee. It is very important to do regular and correct exercises to prevent meniscus tear. Considering your age and physical condition, you can prevent meniscus injuries with exercises suitable for your condition type.

In addition, weight control and regulation of movement habits is another way to prevent meniscus disorders. Excess weight can cause meniscus tear as it will put pressure on the kneecap. Sitting or squatting with your knees bent can also cause the menisci to erode and disintegrate. 

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