Should I go to ER for torn meniscus?

If your pain is very bad at first, you might go to the emergency room. If your pain is not so bad, you may wait to see if it goes away. Most people go to the doctor when pain and swelling comes back after they use their knee.

Is a torn meniscus considered an emergency?

The pain and disability associated with a torn meniscus prompt many people to seek emergency care.

When is torn meniscus an emergency?

Not all meniscus tears require a doctor's care. Pain and swelling that recur or don't go away are usually signs a tear is serious enough to see a doctor. Locking, or being unable to straighten or bend the knee also merits a trip to the doctor.

Can the ER do anything for knee pain?

The emergency room can perform x-rays and quickly assess the painful problem with your knee. Even if the diagnosis is to send you home with crutches and some pain medication, the emergency room could be the right answer if you can't walk on your knee.

When should I go to ER for knee pain?

Seek immediate medical attention

Ask someone to drive you to urgent care or the emergency room if your knee pain is caused by an injury and is accompanied by: A joint that appears deformed. A popping noise at the time your knee was injured. Inability to bear weight.

Abdominal Pain - Should I Go To The Emergency Room

What to do if you think you tore your meniscus?

How do I know if I tore my meniscus?

How do you self diagnose a torn meniscus?

You may also feel pain in the area of the meniscus. To test for a lateral meniscus tear (on the outer side of the knee), you'll be asked to turn your toes inward as far as your knees can rotate. You'll then squat and slowly stand up. A click or pain can indicate a meniscus tear.

Should I go to the ER if I can't straighten my knee?

In general, if you lose the ability to fully straighten your knee you may have a severe or serious knee injury and should see a doctor.

Will the emergency room drain my knee?

Aspiration of the knee can be performed in the emergency department, while hip aspiration usually requires fluoroscopic guidance.

Will walking on a torn meniscus make it worse?

Continuing to walk on the affected leg can aggravate your symptoms, making pain and stiffness worse in as little as a few days. Plus, suffering a torn meniscus may also increase your risk of complications, like developing osteoarthritis in that knee.

Does a torn meniscus hurt constantly?

The pain may be sharp or instead it can just be a constant dull ache sensation. It usually hurts more when bending the knee deeply or straightening it fully. It can also hurt when twisting on the knee with your foot fixed on the ground.

How long should you stay off a torn meniscus?

If you had a partial meniscectomy, you might be able to play sports in about 4 to 6 weeks. If you had meniscus repair, it may be 3 to 6 months before you can play sports. This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace.

What should I not do with a torn meniscus?

If your doctor has told you that you don't need surgery to repair your torn meniscus, you may be given the green light to walk. However, you'll want to be very careful about movements that might worsen the tear or cause you pain. Avoid squatting and pivoting, which are likely to place too much pressure on the knee.

Does meniscus surgery require hospital stay?

Most people who have meniscus repair or meniscectomy don't need to stay overnight at the hospital. You'll wait in a recovery room for the anesthesia to wear off. When you are ready to leave, somebody else will need to drive you home.

What happens if you don't do anything about a torn meniscus?

If not treated, part of the meniscus may come loose and slip into the joint. You may need surgery to restore full knee function. Untreated meniscus tears can increase in size and lead to complications, such as arthritis.

Do you go to the ER for a torn ACL?

ER for an orthopaedic injury like a broken bone, torn ligament or concussion, the most practical choice is to seek treatment at an urgent care facility.

Should I go to ER for swollen knee?

Seek medical attention immediately if the knee pain is due to a fall or other injury. Medical care is required if any cracking or popping sounds were heard from the knee; if the knee is unstable, wobbling or can't support body weight; if there is excessive swelling; or if the knee is red and warm to the touch.

Should I go to the hospital for a torn ligament?

If you experience any of the following, you've most likely sustained a completely torn ligament and should make a trip to an orthopedic immediate care facility as soon as possible: An audible “pop” at the time of injury. Feeling tearing at the time of injury. Experiencing muscle spasms surrounding the injury site.

What are 2 signs and symptoms of a meniscus tear?

Will a knee brace help a torn meniscus?

Will a knee brace help a torn meniscus? Yes. Although knee braces do not heal or treat your meniscus tear directly, they can provide extra support and stability for your knee while your meniscus injury heals. A good brace will protect your knee and take the pressure off your meniscus, allowing it to rest.

Can you tell if a meniscus is torn without an MRI?

You will have a physical examination to find out if you have a torn meniscus and to rule out other knee injuries. Your doctor will check both knees for tenderness, range of motion, and knee stability. X-rays are usually done. Based on your symptoms and the physical examination, your doctor may diagnose a meniscus tear.

What does it feel like to walk on a torn meniscus?

Pain is usually felt in the knee above the meniscus while bearing weight on the affected knee and/or when twisting, turning, or pivoting on the knee, such as while getting in and out of a car. Walking up or down stairs may be particularly painful, and may also cause increased swelling in the knee.

Where do you feel pain for torn meniscus?

Symptoms of a meniscus tear may be different for each person, but some of the most common symptoms are: Pain in the knee joint: usually on the inside (medial), outside (lateral) or back of the knee. Swelling. Catching or locking of the knee joint.

What does a meniscus tear look and feel like?

Individuals with a meniscus tear often complain of pain along the joint line. They often have pain or weakness with bending the knee and sometimes they have a catching or locking sensation. With an acute tear, individuals may notice a lot of swelling in the knee and often report that they heard or felt a pop.