How do meniscus injuries heal?

  Meniscal injury is one of the common knee injuries in clinical practice. Based on a clear diagnosis, how to manage meniscal injury? Correct and effective rehabilitation treatment is the key to promote the recovery of knee function.  Depending on the degree of meniscus injury, the current treatment includes two main approaches: conservative treatment and surgical treatment. Regardless of which treatment modality is used, the following goals can be used for treatment.  Phase I: relative braking, swelling and pain relief; Phase II: mobility restoration and strength training; Phase III: restoration of daily and motor function.  The acute inflammatory and edematous phase of meniscal injury is about 3~5 days after the injury and is characterized by pain, swelling and joint effusion. During this period, the “RICE” principle is adopted, i.e., rest, cold compresses, compression bandages, and elevation of the lower extremity when lying in bed. Rest does not mean complete bed rest, it means local immobilization of the knee joint, walking with crutches and reducing the amount of weight-bearing walking; continuous compression with bandages for 48 hours after the injury; icing for 10-15 minutes 3-5 times a day is an effective way to prevent joint swelling; avoiding hot packs, inappropriate massage, and excessive activity.  Phase 2 (subacute phase) If the joint swelling and pain are properly treated in the previous phase, the swelling and pain will be effectively controlled, and the joint swelling can be further eliminated in the hospital with deep penetrating physical therapy such as short wave and electromagnetic therapy if conditions permit. Based on this, joint mobility training should be started as early as possible to avoid joint mobility restriction. Different forms of muscle strength training are used to ensure the progress of active joint mobility and maintain the effect of passive joint mobility training, which ultimately enhances joint stability and reduces re-injury to the injured meniscus caused by inappropriate movements. Strength exercises mostly use static contractions and dynamic static contractions, such as quadriceps isometric contractions and straight leg raises.  Phase 3 (recovery period) Progressive resistance training is used to increase the intensity of strength training so that the muscle strength around the knee joint is close to the normal level. A combination of closed-chain and open-chain training can be used, such as micro-squats, steppers and power bike training are closed-chain training modalities, while knee extension training with a load applied at the calf in the seated position is open-chain training modality. Throughout the recovery period of strength training, attention should be paid to the basic principle of painlessness in order to avoid repetitive injuries to the joint during the exercises.  It is also necessary to focus on overall training, including proprioception, balance, endurance, and cardiorespiratory function. Set rehabilitation training goals with the goal of daily life function for rehabilitation training, so that you can be targeted and fully restore your daily life, work and sports functions.  If you have difficulties in how to deal with meniscus and rehabilitation training, please visit the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine in time to receive professional physical examination and rehabilitation exercise advice!