Better with Brando — biweekly edition
1. A meniscus tear doesn't mean surgery.
I hear this a lot. Patient gets an MRI, sees the word "tear," and assumes the next step is the operating room.
Multiple randomized controlled trials have found that physical therapy produces outcomes equal to surgery for most degenerative meniscus tears. Not close. Equal. Your knee can get better without going under the knife. I see it all the time.
2. The muscle your knee depends on.
Your meniscus doesn't work alone. When the muscles around your knee — especially your quads — are weak, your meniscus absorbs more stress than it should.
Strengthening the quadriceps, hamstrings, and hips reduces strain on the meniscus and improves joint support. That's where PT starts. Not with the meniscus. With the muscles protecting it.
3. What to avoid while your knee heals.
Deep squatting, heavy kneeling, and repetitive pivoting increase the risk of meniscus injury — and slow recovery if you're already dealing with one.
That doesn't mean stop moving. Walking, cycling, and swimming keep things going without the stress. Not sure what's safe for your specific knee? That's exactly what an evaluation is for.
See you in two weeks. kinesmovement.com
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