Meniscus tears are frequently related to professional athletes, as you must have learned if you did any research on the subject before reading this article. However, in actuality, it is possible for anyone to experience it. It only requires a quick movement of the leg, like twisting, running, jumping, or even dancing.
You might be wondering whether you could walk with such an injury if you have found yourself in this unfortunate situation. The severity of the injury will determine how best to respond to this specific question right away. Here is our list of frequently asked questions, along with the responses, to assist you in comprehending it and the healing procedure:
What is a Torn Meniscus, Exactly?
Before we examine some additional information that might aid in your comprehension of the situation you find yourself in, let's first define this type of tear. These tears are wounds to the cartilage, which is shaped like the letter "C" and is situated between your tibia and femur. It's possibly the most common wound that happens, and despite frequently being related to sports, anyone can get one, regardless of age or profession. This specific injury comes in two varieties: medial or lateral rips.
Of course, the location differs between the varieties. Each joint is made up of two menisci; the medial one is on the inside, and the other is on the outside. Remember to consult your doctor right away if you believe you have sustained this injury because they will be able to determine whether or not you have actually done so. However, there are a few signs of a torn meniscus.
What Symptoms Indicate a Torn Meniscus?
The first thing you should know is that a torn meniscus may cause excruciating pain, though some people may not experience any discomfort. Nevertheless, this condition can be identified by a few common symptoms, such as leg stiffness, swelling, inflammation, and pain, of course. You might experience pain when you put weight on the injured leg or if you rotate it to a certain extent.
If I have a torn meniscus, will I be able to walk normally?
This will entirely depend on the severity of the impairment, as we mentioned at the beginning of the article. After the rip, many people are able to put their weight on their leg, more specifically, their knee, and walk normally. Due to this, many athletes could actually continue competing even after suffering such an injury. It's important to note that it might take a few days before you start experiencing the symptoms and noticing the signs.
For instance, a common meniscus injury known as the "bucket handle rip" may be to blame if you are unable to extend your leg or if your knee begins to latch constantly. This is frequently explained as the cartilage in the joint becoming loose, which will cause the leg to become unstable and cause the latching up symptom. Even though you're trying your best to move normally, this could still happen to you.
You should be aware that many people only hear the popping sound rather than seeing the knee pop. When this occurs, there may be a period of intense pain. If this happens, you should seek medical attention right away, though you may also decide to visit an orthopedic surgeon who can assist you in getting back on your feet.
Will I Need Surgery If My Meniscus Tears?
If you don't need surgery to close the wound, your doctor might tell you that, in which case they might let you walk. However, even in this circumstance, you must proceed with extreme caution because a quick movement could end up aggravating the injury. You must therefore refrain from squatting and other actions that could put too much strain on the knee.
What Takes Place After Surgery for a Torn Meniscus?
After having surgery to repair the tear, you might need to strengthen your legs a bit so that you can support your knee. However, your surgeon will decide how long you'll need to recover, and that decision will largely be based on the method they used to repair your meniscus. Exercises that gradually get harder should be a part of the rehabilitation program as well, as this can help to stop the joint from suffering further harm.
What Can I Do to Hasten the Healing of a Torn Meniscus?
The first thing you must do is make sure you get enough sleep. This means that you should avoid exerting too much force when moving around; instead, you might want to unwind and give the injured knee some time to heal. In addition, many medical professionals advise removing the cold compressions after putting them on the injured leg for about 15 to 20 minutes. This should be done a few times every day.
Compression is another option you have, mainly because it will reduce the swelling and inflammation that are typical signs of a tear. In order to reduce swelling, if you chose to wear a compression sleeve, you should pull it over the injured area. Finally, but equally crucial to everything we've said so far, make sure you lift the leg and remove the weight from it. Additionally, this will lessen the inflammation and—more importantly—the pain you might be experiencing.
Conclusion
It's still possible for you to walk after suffering from a torn meniscus, even though it will most likely cause you a wide range of problems. But in this case, you should speak with your doctor, who can advise you on what to do and what not to do.
You likely know more about this condition by this point, so if you believe you have suffered a similar injury, don't waste any more time. Instead, make an appointment with your doctor, and the two of you should develop a course of action for your treatment and recovery.