RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
• Meniscal preservation should be the goal of treatment in order to decrease any future complication of OA.
• The treatment depends on the type, location, and extent of the tear as well as the age and activity of the patient.
• Small, nondisplaced peripheral tears (because this region is vascular), especially in the lateral
meniscus, may heal on their own or become asymptomatic and, therefore, do not require surgery.
• Aggressive physical therapy/
rehabilitation should be provided as the initial form of treatment in most patients, as a majority of them will become symptom-free from strengthening alone: › Patients >30 years who do not have a "locked" knee should undergo 6–12 weeks of rehabilitation. If they are symptomatic after rehabilitation, surgery should be considered.
• A "locked" knee requires immediate surgery.
• In patients >40 years with OA and
meniscal injury, surgery should be offered after a failure of 3–6 months of rehabilitation.
• If the patient is
• Activity should be restricted to weight-bearing as tolerated. Crutches may be needed the patient is unable to bear weight.