What is a Meniscus Tear?
A meniscus tear is one of the most common knee injuries, affecting approximately 1 million people in the U.S. each year, regardless of age or fitness level. If you’ve suffered a meniscus tear or injury, your physician may advise wearing a knee brace as part of your treatment plan. The best knee brace for a meniscus tear will offer both support and protection for the meniscus, safeguarding it against any excessive force or pressure that could potentially worsen the injury.
A meniscus tear is an injury to the cartilage in the knee joint that provides cushioning and stability to the knee. A meniscus tear can occur in several ways, including twisting the knee with excessive force or overextending it. The symptoms of a meniscus tear may include severe knee pain, inflammation, and difficulty in bending the knee. As with any knee injury, the treatment plan can vary from person to person. The recovery journey, depending on the tear’s magnitude, may involve physical therapy, pain management medication, and in severe cases, surgical intervention.
There are two types of meniscus tears.
Acute Tears
Acute knee tears are frequently caused by sudden trauma during physical activity. When the knee is over-extended or twisted too quickly, an acute tear can occur. Oftentime acute tears happen in conjunction with other injuries, particularly anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. The extent of the tear will dictate the treatment required, with many acute tears requiring surgical intervention.
Degenerative Tears
Degenerative tears, in contrast to acute tears, deteriorate and intensify over time. This type of tear is a result of the gradual wear and tear of the hyaline cartilage and meniscus, which can take several years to manifest as knee pain. Unfortunately, most degenerative meniscus tears are not diagnosed until the damage has reached a point of significant discomfort. Unlike acute tears, surgery is not always necessary for degenerative tears.
Types of Knee Braces for a Meniscus Tear
Depending on the injury, surgery might be necessary in order to repair the meniscus or remove the torn portion. In either case, it is likely that your doctor will recommend a supportive knee brace to protect and stabilize the injured meniscus depending on the extent of your injury.
The type of knee brace you should wear for a meniscus tear depends on the extent of your injury and where you are in the recovery process. Listed below are some common types of knee braces for a meniscus tear:
Stabilizing Knee Brace
A stabilizing knee brace provides substantial stability and support to the knee and is often recommended for the early stages of recovery after a meniscus tear.
Compression Knee Sleeve
A compression knee sleeve is designed to provide compression to the knee in order to reduce swelling and pain. Compression knee sleeves are a great option for individuals looking to still stay active and engaged in physical activity while wearing a brace.
Hinged Knee Brace
A hinged knee brace provides additional support and stability to the knee and may be recommended for moderate to severe meniscus tears.
Unloader Knee Brace
An unloader brace is another great option for patients suffering from a meniscus tear, especially for those who also have osteoarthritis in addition to their meniscus injury. An unloader brace is designed to redistribute the weight bearing load away from the impacted area of the knee and onto the brace frame, which can help to reduce pain and increase mobility.
As for any other injury or illness, it is important to consult with a doctor or physical therapist to determine the best form of treatment for you.
Takeaways
If an unloader Brace sounds right for you, then look no further than the Icarus Medical Ascender knee brace. Through the use of 3D scans, 3D models, and 3D printing, Icarus Medical designs custom knee braces tailored to alleviate and target your pain directly. The Ascender knee brace can provide those suffering from a meniscus tear with additional support and stabilization. By transferring pressure from the knee joint to the brace frame, the Ascender knee brace helps alleviate stress and reduces the risk of knee pain, osteoarthritis, and other knee injuries.
At Icarus Medical, we offer a one-of-a-kind tension dialing system, allowing you to customize the level of support you receive from your brace whenever you want. Whether you’re in the early stages of recovery from meniscus tear surgery, or simply looking to get back to doing the activities you love, the Ascender brace has you covered. With just a simple twist, you can easily adjust the tension, providing you with the comfort and stability you need, no matter what stage of your healing journey you’re in. Meniscus tears can be overwhelming, but let us help you alleviate some of that stress from your knee and your life. Leave it to us to handle the customization and fitting, so you can focus on living the life YOU deserve. Visit our website to get your own Ascender knee brace.
