Menisus - pain, anti-inflammatory medication, and exercise
(NSAIDs - Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can be used if required to help manage your pain. The use of cold compression therapy and Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy™ in conjunction with NSAIDs can greatly improve the effect of this medication and can help to heal your meniscus injury quicker. However, NSAIDS aren't recommended for long term use, as they can cause gastrointestinal difficulties, trigger other side effects and even inhibit the body's natural ability to heal itself.
Some health professionals have also recommended natural supplements such as Glucosamine, MSM, Chondritin, or Hyaluronic Acid to help strengthen your injured tissue.
Once the initial inflammation has decreased, you can provide pain relief and improve your knee function by alternating a cold and hot compress to increase the blood flow to the area. Gentle massage around the injured knee area or small flexing or extending knee movements (if not painful) will also help increase blood flow, oxygen, nutrients, and will prevent stiffness.
To increase your comfort and prevent further damage you may want to use a compression or stability knee brace, which will help support the area and reduce stress on the injured tissue. These braces can be used until the injury is gone or during contact/active sports for additional stability. However, they should not be worn at all times, as they can limit muscle development, cut off circulation and impede healing of your muscle tissue.
If pain and inflammation persist, you can see your physician to investigate cortisone/steroid injections or topical medications, which may help reduce swelling and inflammation.
Physical Therapy is a beneficial way to help decrease pain in the soft tissues, restore atrophied muscles and improve knee and leg strength and mobility. The type of physical therapy and the duration will be dependent on the extent of your meniscus injury.
Once your pain starts to diminish, a physiotherapist will also set up an individualized knee and leg strengthening and stretching exercise program for you to perform at home or in the gym. This will be based on your needs and abilities, and will help you return to performing your normal routines. Individuals will often exercise or lift weights on their own to try and build up their strength; however in doing so, they can do more damage. It is extremely important to strengthen your muscles properly, as they may have weakened during the period of non-use. A trained therapist will help to ensure your rehabilitation process is effective. For best, long-term results use Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy™ in conjunction with physical therapy and an exercise program.
Rehabilitation for meniscus injuries that receive conservative treatments often adhere to the timeframe noted below, however they are specific to the individual:
- First 2-4 days - URICE, crutches and/or a cane for protective weight bearing while walking until swelling goes down.
- 2-4 weeks after - flexion/extension exercises for motion and strength (no rotation), Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy™ and physical therapy.
- 4-6 weeks after - strengthening and stretching exercise program, Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy™ and return to activities, if symptom free.
Evaluate how you use your knee in daily activities to determine if you can decrease stress on the injured tissue. This may involve changing your technique, using correct or supportive equipment (proper shoes, knee braces) and/or implementing ergonomically-sound structures to help you perform your tasks more effectively and safely (prevent you from squatting or bending your knee as much). Taking more frequent breaks during your work or activities can also alleviate stress on your knee joint. Speak with a professional in the specific activity or work setting to get the proper information.
Your progress will be observed for approximately 2 - 3 months; if no symptoms are experienced after this time, no surgery is generally required.
BFST™ - Using Your Body's Natural Healing System
Your body can heal itself! In fact, your body starts healing itself the moment you are injured and it's the blood in your body that makes it all happen. Your blood is the transport mechanism for everything that is good inside you. It carries oxygen, nutrients, water and antibodies. Proper blood flow is essential to healing. Unfortunately, when you injure your body you stop moving and the swelling sets in. That means your vital blood flow can be reduced to a trickle! If you want to heal quickly, you need to keep your blood moving and that's where Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy™, or BFST™, comes in.
Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy™ promotes the flow of blood through the injured area without the need to exercise your already damaged tissue. You can really feel it work. Within moments of applying an Inferno Wrap™ you can feel the healing sensation and the increase in blood flow. During a treatment, and for quite some time after you finish, your injured area will experience increased blood flow even though your body is at rest. It's a soothing sensation and extremely effective. With BFST™ your injury is constantly being fed with healing, nutritious, oxygen and energy filled blood. This is exactly what your body needs to heal.
How An Inferno Wrap™ Works
Inferno Wraps™ have been specifically designed for the treatment of deep, soft tissue injury. Inferno Wraps contain a patented Energy Web™ which is flexible and shaped to conform to your body. This Energy Web™ emits a uniform wave of perfectly safe electro-magnetic energy over its entire surface. This energy travels deep inside your body and stimulates the blood flow needed to heal your injury.
Our Cold Compression Wraps are recommended by countless medical professionals. That's why we sell them, because they are the best. We have noticed over time that our customers are so fond of our cold wraps that they are frequently coming back and ordering a second one. The wraps are becoming very popular with baseball and soccer trainers, and the wraps can be conveniently stored in a cooler for quick application on the field when needed.
If you suffer from mild inflammation or pain after certain activities or movements use cold compression therapy when you complete the activity and then rest and elevate your area of injury. Maximize your pain relief and injury recovery by using an Inferno™ Personal Therapy System. Proven Performance, Proven Relief - only found at MendMeShop.com. If you have been given a treatment plan by your health professional, make sure you adhere to it to ensure pain free living. In general, people who are committed to their therapies and exercises will have the best medical outcomes.