Some Meniscus Tears can heal on their own, although surgery can be done to repair such tears faster. Otherwise, the Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE) protocol is effective:
- Compression to prevent additional swelling, wear an elastic compression bandage
- Elevation to reduce swelling, recline when you rest, and put your leg up higher than your heart
- Ice as cold packs on the injury for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which will reduce pain and swelling
- Rest that allows you to take a break from the activity that caused the injury
If surgery is needed to repair or remove the pieces of the torn meniscus, this is usually done by arthroscopy (key hole surgery).