When can I do sports again?
Only after complete healing, which takes at least six to twelve weeks, should the muscle strength in the knee joint and thigh be slowly trained again and sports should be started again carefully and slowly if possible. In order to be sure about the load capacity of the knee, it is advisable to consult a physician before complete sports activity. Depending on the type of sport, a break of varying length is advisable.
Sports that do not put too much strain on the knee can be resumed more quickly. Particularly strenuous sports such as playing soccer or skiing should be paused for longer or even stopped completely to avoid further meniscus damage or renewed tears. The regeneration of the meniscus, however, depends not only on the success of the therapy but also on the age, weight, nutritional status and physical condition of the patient. If it is not possible, or only possible to a limited extent, to avoid the strain caused by sport or work, a tight bandage can stabilize the knee and reduce the pressure on the meniscus and joint a little. Nevertheless, care should be taken to ensure that the movement that caused the meniscus tear is not repeated.
Summary
Injuries to the meniscus were among the most common triggers of knee problems. Not every torn meniscus needs surgery. The therapy of a torn meniscus without surgery focuses on restoring mobility in the knee joint, eliminating pain and relieving symptoms in everyday life.
In addition, consequential damage such as excessive wear and tear in the knee joint (knee joint arthrosis) should be prevented. The extent of the injury determines the method of treatment; smaller tears can be adequately treated conservatively, while larger damages usually require a surgical intervention in the course of a knee joint endoscopy (arthroscopy). A conservative (non-surgical) therapy includes drug and physical treatment options for a meniscus tear without surgery.