If your tear is on the outer one-third of the meniscus, it may heal on its own or be repaired surgically. This is because this area has rich blood supply and blood cells can regenerate meniscus tissue — or help it heal after surgical repair.

How do you treat a lateral meniscus tear?

What’s the Treatment for a Meniscus Tear?

1. Rest the knee.
2. Ice your knee to reduce pain and swelling.
3. Compress your knee.
4. Elevate your knee with a pillow under your heel when you’re sitting or lying down.
5. Take anti-inflammatory medications.
6. Use stretching and strengthening exercises to help reduce stress to your knee.

How serious is a lateral meniscus tear?

If a tear of the lateral meniscus occurs, it can be minor or severe. In a severe lateral meniscus tear, the meniscus can be torn in half, ripped around its circumference, or ripped to the extent that it hangs on by a fiber.

How long does it take to recover from a lateral meniscus tear?

Meniscus tears are the most frequently treated knee injuries. Recovery will take about 6 to 8 weeks if your meniscus tear is treated conservatively, without surgery.

Would a cortisone shot help a torn meniscus?

A cortisone shot can help decrease the inflammation and pain caused by a torn meniscus. A cortisone shot usually does not help in healing of the meniscus and, hence, does not improve any mechanical symptoms. If a meniscus is repairable, then a cortisone shot is not preferred as it may impair healing of the meniscus.

Where does a lateral meniscus tear hurt?

In general, a lateral meniscus tear should cause pain along the joint line of the outside part of the knee. In addition, one could have pain in the back of their knee with deep squats or they could have pain on the outside of their knee when they put their leg in a figure-of-4 position.

Where is lateral meniscus pain?

Symptoms of a lateral meniscus tear may include tenderness and pain around the outside surface of the knee, particularly along the joint line. With a lateral meniscus tear, there is typically swelling which appears within 24 to 48 hours of the injury occurring.