How Can Our Knee Specialist in Chicago Help You?
Have you recently undergone meniscus surgery and are in search of a knee specialist in Chicago? Our team at Free Body Physical Therapy is here to assist you. Contact us to learn more today!
A torn meniscus is one of the most common knee injuries and leads to a lot of pain and discomfort. The meniscus is a piece of cushion in the knee that cushions and stabilizes the joint. A meniscus tear can occur by simply making a sudden pivot. This injury is common in both contact sports such as football and basketball as well as non-contact sports that involve a lot of running and jumping such as volleyball and soccer. Older athletes are much more susceptible to a meniscus tear because the meniscus weakens with age.
Symptoms
A meniscus tear is not only painful but can feel very debilitating. If you are experiencing knee pain these are symptoms that might let you know it is a meniscus tear.
- A popping sensation
- Swelling or Stiffness
- Pain in the knee
- Difficulty bending or straightening your knee
- The feeling of your knee giving way
- Feeling of your knee locking up
Causes
Unfortunately most times a meniscus tear is unavoidable. They are most common in athletes and very active individuals that put a lot of wear and tear on their knees. The tear occurs as a result of an aggressive pivot or turn. Additionally, kneeling, deep squatting, or lifting something heavy can also lead to a meniscus tear.
Athletes are put at the highest risk for this injury especially older ones. While they are at the highest risk people that don’t perform in a sport also experience meniscus tears. One outlying factor that can also put someone at a higher risk is obesity. Whatever the cause may be, our knee specialist in Chicago can help you determine the best course of action moving forward to ensure a healthy recovery.
Treatment
The treatment of a meniscus tear is dependent on the size and location of the tear. If a tear occurs in an area with good blood flow it may be able to heal on its own. If a tear occurs in another area of the knee that doesn’t have a good blood flow the recovery time could be a lot longer. That being said many meniscus tears do require surgery however that is not always the case. Some key treatment methods for a meniscus tear include:
- Rest- it is important to limit physical activity and refrain from putting weight on it
- Ice- icing the knee will help reduce swelling and pain. It is recommended that this is done for 15 to 20 minutes every 3-4 hours for 2 to 3 days.
- Compression- compressing the knee can help ease pain, this can be done with an elastic bandage
- Elevate your knee
- Take anti-inflammatory medications such as Advil, Allieve, or Motrin
- Use stretching and strengthening exercises
Knee Specialist in Chicago
For many people that experience a meniscus tear surgery is the only option for eliminating pain. The recovery time and process are different for everyone. Rehabilitation can be a key factor in making sure that the knee heals properly. Free Body Physical Therapy has the best knee specialist in Chicago can that provide physical therapy both before and after surgery. At Free Body Physical Therapy our team of doctors know that every body is different which is why they create a plan specified for you. Following your evaluation, they will create a program catered towards you and your injury so that you can get back on your feet!