How Long For Dogs Meniscus To Heal Without Surgery?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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However, it could take a full

six months or more

for the dog to handle routine exercise. Be sure to follow up with your primary veterinarian for follow-up care and take your dog to all recommended follow-up exams.

How long can a meniscus tear go without surgery?

Recovery will take about

6 to 8 weeks

if your meniscus tear is treated conservatively, without surgery. If your symptoms persist after 3 months or your symptoms become significant, your doctor may recommend surgery to repair the tear.

Can a dog live with a meniscus tear?

What Is The Prognosis For mMy Dog?

Partial meniscectomy or primary repair of the damaged meniscus is usually good

, and these procedures lessen the degree of degenerative joint disease (DJD), which makes the prognosis for return to normal function more favorable.

What can you do for a dog with a torn meniscus?

Treatment options include

primary repair, total meniscectomy, partial meniscectomy, and hemimeniscectomy

. The treatment of choice for meniscal tears is primary repair or partial meniscectomy, if possible, at the time of stifle stabilization.

Can a dog’s meniscus heal on its own?

If your dog has slightly torn or injured the menisci,

they may self-heal with a little help from you

. Keep ice on the minor injury and keep your dog from high activity. You may want to slow them from normal activity as well.

How serious is a torn meniscus in a dog?

“Tears of the medial meniscus are

a significant cause of lameness in dogs subsequent to surgery for cranial crucial ligament ruptures

. Increased lameness or acute onset of lameness after surgery for cranial crucial rupture is a consistent finding.”

Can a torn meniscus take months to heal?

Meniscus tears are the most frequently treated knee injuries.

Recovery will take about 6 to 8 weeks if your meniscus tear is treated conservatively, without surgery

. The time varies, depending on: the type and severity of the tear.

Can a torn meniscus heal itself without surgery?

In the case of meniscus tears, some people think the injury will heal over time on its own. But the truth is that there are different types of meniscus tears — and

some tears won’t heal without treatment

. If your tear is on the outer one-third of the meniscus, it may heal on its own or be repaired surgically.

Will walking on a torn meniscus make it worse?

Can you walk on a torn meniscus?

Whether you can walk on a torn meniscus will depend on the injury’s location and severity

— and perhaps also your own personal tolerance for pain. A slight tear might not feel so bad to you. You may very well be able to stand and walk on a leg that has a torn meniscus in the knee.

What happens if a meniscus tear is left untreated?

An untreated meniscus tear

can result in the frayed edge getting caught in the joint, causing pain and swelling

. It can also result in long term knee problems such as arthritis and other soft tissue damage.

What is the best thing to do for a torn meniscus?

  • Rest. Avoid activities that aggravate your knee pain, especially any activity that causes you to twist, rotate or pivot your knee. …
  • Ice. Ice can reduce knee pain and swelling. …
  • Medication. Over-the-counter pain relievers also can help ease knee pain.

Do dogs need their meniscus?


The canine menisci are important intraarticular structures that play a vital role in maintaining joint congruency, stability, lubrication, proprioception, and load distribution

. The medial meniscus is commonly injured in conjunction with CrCL rupture.

What are the symptoms of a torn meniscus in a dog?

Meniscal injury can cause

significant lameness and disruption of the normal ease of joint motion, leading to pain and effusion (increased fluid in the joint) and swelling of the joint

.

What is the average price of TPLO surgery for dogs?

In general pet owners can expect cat and dog TPLO surgery cost to average

$3,500 to $5,000

and capsular suture stabilization to cost between $1,200 to $1,500

4

, which often includes the exam, surgery, anesthesia, operating room use, hospitalization, medications, checkups and physical therapy.

What foods help heal a torn meniscus?

  • Legumes. For optimal joint function, it is important to beat inflammation wherever possible—inflammation is the primary source of collagen and, by extension, cartilage breakdown. …
  • Oranges. …
  • Pomegranates. …
  • Green Tea. …
  • Brown Rice. …
  • Nuts. …
  • Brussel Sprouts.

How long does it take for an inflamed meniscus to heal?

Typically, mild meniscus tears heal within

two to three weeks

. Symptoms of moderate meniscus tears or strains: Pain at the side or center of the knee. Stiffness.

Why does a torn meniscus take so long to heal?


The amount of blood flow which is or is not present within different parts of a meniscus

is the reason it takes so long for menisci to heal when injured.

What are two treatments for a meniscus tear?

Conservative treatment — such as

rest, ice and medication

— is sometimes enough to relieve the pain of a torn meniscus and give the injury time to heal on its own. In other cases, however, a torn meniscus requires surgery.

Why does meniscus tear hurt at night?

There are a couple of reasons why your knee pain is worse at night:

Pain is perceived to be worse at nighttime

. As you climb into bed and start to quiet your mind pain becomes more pronounced than when you were active during the day distracted by your activities. An active day may cause your knee joint to swell.

Is it better to repair or remove meniscus?

In most patients,

meniscus tear repair is preferred over meniscus removal

. That’s because studies have shown when the meniscus is repaired and preserved, patients tend to experience better overall healing and better long-term joint function.

Rachel Ostrander
Author
Rachel Ostrander
Rachel is a career coach and HR consultant with over 5 years of experience working with job seekers and employers. She holds a degree in human resources management and has worked with leading companies such as Google and Amazon. Rachel is passionate about helping people find fulfilling careers and providing practical advice for navigating the job market.