won't a minor meniscal tear heal itself? isn't our body capable of healing itself?

Question

i think its a meniscal tear and had done research coz i could hear a popping sound during the pains when i bend my knees. i honestly don't know how i've hurt my knees. i used to be able to jog for about an hour. then one time during jogging i felt some pains on the outer side of my knees during the 30th minute but continued on until i finished my lap. the pains went away about a week after. the next week i jogged again but i could no longer go on after the 30th minute coz i felt the the knee pains again and its intolerable. 3 to 4 days after the pain went away again. i waited for 3 weeks thinking it would heal fully, then i jogged again but the pain came again shorter than expected after the 15th minute. and again 3 to 4 days later it went away. do some people have the similar experience? wouldn't it heal just by resting? i don't think i have enough money for surgery if it really is a meniscal tear..

Answer 1

To answer your question: a small tear of the meniscus on the outer 1/3 has some potential to heal itself with rest due to it's small amount of blood supply. A large tear or one involving the mid to inner 1/3 of the meniscus will not heal itself because it is avascular (lacks blood supply).

However, based solely on the information given, without the benefit of an actual physical examination, I don't think you have a meniscus tear. Or rather, you may have a tear, but that is not what is causing your symptoms. Classic signs and symptoms of a meniscus tear (worth having surgery for) are catching/locking of the knee (unable to straighten it completely) and pain with bending/twisting the knee while weight bearing. Running may cause pain, but it would occur sooner than 30 minutes of running.

I think you should research a condition called Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS). I have seen it in a lot of runners. It is often caused by a biomechanical problem: pes planus (flat feet) or genu valgum (knock-knees); or may be caused by muscle imbalance in strength or flexibility. Often associated with this problem is improper kneecap tracking and damage to the cartilage on the posterior surface of the kneecap which may cause popping and grinding with bending the knee.

Regardless, you should see an orthopedic MD to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Surgery may not be necessary. Hopefully you can afford a doctor's visit. Remember that if you cannot afford medical care now, you may get worse and then the expense of that medical care increases with imaging, specialists visits, and possible surgery.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Minor tendon and ligament tears can heal by themselves. But, UNTIL you get it evaluated by a MD you can't really know what has happened. It could be a tear. It could be a strain. It might be that you need better running shoes. People that jog/run need to make sure they have proper shoes.
You can do one or both:

Go to a real shoe store for runners(not one of those places in the mall that sells team jerseys and shoes by some teenager working a job so they can by the new Xbox game). I go to a local shop where the owners and workers run. They can analyze you gait and see if you overpronate, underpronate or run neutral. Then they can recommend a group of shoes that can help cut down aches, pains and injuries.

You also need to go get this thing looked at by an MD-a orthopedic or sports medicine specialist if possible. They should be able to tell you if you've really messed up something. If you have running on it can only make it worse. Believe me I know.

Answer 3

well,i can feel what u feel mate cuz i had the same broplem before in my rigth knee it was hill mate u know i couldnt do any sport i cant play football with my friends i even got depression,i dont want to take u down but thats the truth if its a menscus tear its realy nasty and nothing will heal it apart from the surgey which i have done its realy easy u cn walk on it the day after dont worry,but u i hope that u dont have it the bloody nasty menscus tear,by the way 4 days ago i had an injury while playin foot ball with my friends and i think its the same broplem again but this time in my left leg now i dont have pain but im afraid if i play again the same pain will start again cuz that will be diagnostic of the menscus tear,good luck my friend i wish u full recovery.

Answer 4

Technicaly it wont heal because there is no blood supply to the Meniscus but I tore mine and since I didn't have insurance I never had surgery. Although it still pops it does not hurt anymore. It will take a while though before it wont hurt and if theres fluid on your knee you will have to get it removed. Do not wear a brace!! and just suck it up and walk on it normal and eventually it will stop hurting but I dont think it will actually ever heal. Now make sure that when you do get insurance that you have not been treated for it for over 6-12 months or they will not cover it under prexisting problems.

Answer 5

you don't have to be an atheist to believe that the self repair ability of cells came from evolutionary processes. Many christians believe that. In logic debate this is a arguement adhominim-arguement against the man--it's a debate techique used when a person can't logically overcome the othersides arguements--so you effectively change the subject to an attack on a person or person(s). Another similair technique is the "red herring" where you change the subject by moving totally off point. As you use both of these in your various questions I am assuming you have no logical way to defeat the evolutionary position. Therefore you essentially minimize yourself without any of the rest of us saying a word.

Answer 6

Miniscus tears of the knee usually get worse. You will start finding that your knee will "give out" at undetermined times. I'd advise you to see care, or at least see an orthopedic doctor about the problem and get fitted for a knee brace. It is not going to heal it's self. Godloveya.