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Today, in general, doctors recommend conservative treatment, not surgery, when meniscus tears result from degeneration. Many recent studies have shown that there’s no advantage to surgery...
It's sometimes possible to repair a torn meniscus, especially in children and younger adults. If the tear can't be repaired, the meniscus might be surgically trimmed, possibly through tiny incisions using an arthroscope.
Can a meniscus tear heal on its own? The outer portion of the meniscus, often referred to as the “red zone,” has a good blood supply and can sometimes heal on its own if the tear is small.
It can be torn if you suddenly twist your knee while bearing weight on it. Conservative treatment — such as rest, ice and medication — is sometimes enough to relieve the pain of a torn meniscus and give the injury time to heal on its own. In other cases, however, a torn meniscus requires surgery.
Some meniscus tears can be healed with rest or physical therapy; severe tears usually require surgery. (Photo Credit: E+/Getty Images)
Depending on the size and location of your meniscus tear, it may heal without surgery. Your healthcare provider may recommend taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medicine (like ibuprofen or aspirin) to relieve pain and reduce swelling.
Meniscus tears & repairs. Both the inside and outside of the knee have a meniscus. The meniscus is a firm, elastic, shock absorber that helps stabilize the knee and is important for normal function of the knee joint. It also provides protection of healthy cartilage in the knee.