To recover the meniscus it is important to do physiotherapy, which must be indicated personally by a physiotherapist. Electronic exercises and equipment are indicated that help in the relief of pain, decrease of the swelling, besides specific physiotherapeutic techniques to increase the mobility of the knee and greater arc of movement of this joint.
Some physical therapy options that may be indicated for meniscus recovery are:
- Bend and stretch leg while lying belly up: 3 sets of 60 times;
- Support the weight of the body by gently supporting the weight of the body on the affected leg, using crutches or using the back of a cedeira;
- Gently move the patella from side to side and top to bottom;
- About 5 minutes of thigh massage per day;
- Contract the thigh muscle with the leg stretched, 20 times in a row;
- Exercise in the pool as you walk in the water for 5 to 10 minutes;
- Balance exercises initially with nothing and then with one foot on a half empty ball, for example;
- Exercises for legs with elastic bands and then with weights, in 3 sets of 20 repetitions;
- 15 minutes of exercise bike;
- Mini squats up to the limit of pain, in 3 sets of 20 repetitions;
- Leg stretches to increase flexibility.
After about 2 months of treatment the person needs to be checked and there is still local pain or movement limitation to be able to adjust the treatment.
When the person no longer feels pain but can not fully bend the knee the exercises should have this goal. A good workout is to do squats, increasing the degree of knee flexion, the goal may be to try to squat to the maximum, until it is possible to sit on the heels.
At the end of each session it may be helpful to put an ice pack for 15 minutes on the knee to deflate the area or prevent it from swelling. Proprioceptive exercises are also indicated, at the end of treatment, when the person is closer to healing.
Other exercises
In this video, although you always speak for arthrosis, the same exercises can be used to strengthen the thighs and legs in case of a meningial injury:
Other Physical Therapy Treatments
Electrotherapy appliances may also be indicated for pain relief and facilitate healing, leaving the physiotherapist the most appropriate choice. Tens, ultrasound, laser, microcurrent or others may be used. Usually the sessions are split so there is time for passive knee mobilization, other manual therapy techniques, and exercises.
Exercises can also be performed inside a pool with warm water, known as hydrokinesiotherapy. These are especially indicated when the person is overweight, because in water it is easier to perform the exercises properly, without pain.
Recovery time
The treatment time varies from one person to another and your general health and whether or not you can do physical therapy daily, however a good recovery is expected in about 4 to 5 months, but many people need about 6 months to fully recover.
When treatment with physical therapy is not sufficient to eliminate the pain, and the person is able to perform his daily activities normally, it may be indicated to perform the surgery for withdrawal of the meniscus, for example. Find out more about meniscus surgery here.
