BEYOND SURGERY: Effective Alternative Treatments for a Meniscus Tear
Meniscus tears are a prevalent cause of chronic knee pain. The meniscus is the bit of cartilage that supports and cushions the knee. As it’s essential for mobility and maintaining personal autonomy, injuries to the meniscus are often treated with surgery. However, other treatments are just as effective, or more so, and don’t require going under the knife. Why You Might Want to Skip the Surgery Many meniscus surgeries are meniscectomies, which is when a surgeon cuts the damaged sections out. In some cases, this is a successful strategy, but it can also lead to many problems down the road; for example, it puts more stress on the area and can speed up and increase the severity of arthritis. Also, a study in 2013 found that surgery and physical therapy can have the same results, with physical therapy being slightly more effective. So, it’s wise not to jump directly to surgery before exploring other options. Nonsurgical Treatment Options Many options are available for people who don’t want to pursue surgery to repair their cartilage tear. One common strategy is a steroid injection. Steroids are known to reduce pain and inflammation and speed up
the healing process. However, steroids can be damaging to joint cartilage and may end up inhibiting the healing process if it takes too long, so it may not be the best solution. Hyaluronic acid is another injection used to help with this injury. This treatment adds lubricating fluid to the knee. Unfortunately, it doesn’t repair the tear but does offer relief from the more painful symptoms. The primary recommended method to repair a tear is physical therapy. Working with a skilled physical therapist, like those at Kinetic PT, will help you regain your range of motion and rebuild your strength. Many types of meniscus tears require different approaches, so trying a nonsurgical treatment is worthwhile as it may be more effective. But remember, in some instances, surgery may still be needed. It’s a matter to discuss with your doctor and physical therapist. If you have suffered a meniscus tear, consider some of the alternatives to surgery to help get you back on your feet. Contact Kinetic PT and book an appointment today, and we will work with you to help you repair your injuries.
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MARRY ME CHICKEN
INGREDIENTS • 3 boneless chicken breasts • 1 tsp salt and pepper • 1 tbsp olive oil • 3 cloves garlic, minced • 1 cup chicken broth • 1/2 cup heavy cream • 3/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
DIRECTIONS 1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. In a skillet over high heat, add olive oil and allow it to heat up. Then add chicken. 2. Let cook for 6 minutes or until golden brown. Repeat on the other side. Remove cooked chicken to a plate and set aside. 3. Reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic, broth, and heavy cream to the skillet. Stir sauce for 1 minute. 4. Add sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, and red pepper flakes to the mixture. 5. Bring sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Add chicken back to the skillet, coating each side. Cook until chicken reaches 165 F.
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