Introduction:

There are a lot of studies showing that surgery might not be the best option for a torn meniscus. The success rate remains low and it appears that with the appropriate treatment protocol patient can get relief and permanent pain reduction.

Some patients are sometimes worried about acupuncture and the most common question is: does it hurt?

Sometimes, there is a little pain associated with the insertion but it is minimal. Typically, the treatment for this type of musculo-skeleton injury involves a local insertion around the knee joint.

Treatment for each patient is different. A patients height, weight, and age play a key factor in treatment process.

Acupuncture helps to decrease the intake of opoid medicine.

General protocol includes:

• Diagnosing the injury.
• The proper placement of needles.

Symptoms of a torn meniscus:

• A popping sensation
• Swelling or stiffness
• Pain, especially when twisting or rotating your knee
• Difficulty straightening your knee fully
• Feeling as though your knee is locked in place when you try to move it
• Feeling of your knee giving way

The main goal of treatment:

• Blood flow
• Decrease pain
• Reduce swelling
• Promote the healing process.

Conclusion:

The process of recovery will vary between the severity of injury and the time it was torn. It can take up to four to six weeks to heal. Other factors such as weight will affect the recovery time with the acupuncture. Surgery recovery time could take longer and the success rate is overall low with a possible risk. Acupuncture has been reported more effective and safer, and it speeds the recovery process up. This issue needs to be addressed as soon as possible to avoid a worsening of the symptoms, possible limping that can cause other unbalance along the musculo-skeletal system.