Prognosis | Meniscus damage

Prognosis

As a rule, meniscus damage caused by injuries heals relatively well. Especially if the lesion is located in the area of the meniscus that is strongly supplied with blood. This promotes the healing process by supplying nutrients and removing metabolic products.

However, occupational groups or athletes who exert increased stress on their knee joint are excluded from this. For them there is an increased risk of renewed meniscal damage. Unfortunately, meniscus damage caused by age-related wear and tear is progressive, i.e. it worsens as the age of the knee increases.

If no early treatment is initiated, this can promote additional symptoms such as effusions and cartilage damage. In the long term, it can even lead to joint wear and tear, known as arthrosis, in the knee joint. If left untreated, a torn meniscus can also become progressively larger and even tear off completely.

The duration of the healing process of a meniscus damage is of course also always dependent on the accompanying symptoms, such as injuries to the ligamentous apparatus in the knee joint. If you should suffer from continuous severe pain after initiating the first aid measures, it is essential to consult a doctor. The earlier the correct treatment is initiated, the better the chances of recovery from your meniscus damage.

Sports

In the case of meniscus damage, sports such as soccer or skiing, which place a heavy strain on the knee, should be avoided if possible. Activities that are easy on the joints, such as swimming or cycling, are recommended. In addition, regular gymnastic exercises keep the knee joints mobile.

However, make sure you do regular warm-up training before sports to prevent injuries. For sports that put more strain on the knee, you should use appropriate protectors or joint protectors. These counteract an injury to the meniscus in the event of an impending accident.