Nursing Beyond the Vital SignsNursing Beyond the Vital Signs


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Nursing Beyond the Vital Signs

Nursing is so much more than simply popping a thermometer in a patient's mouth or recording a blood pressure. In my time as a nurse, I have participated in life saving efforts when time was critical, I have held a mother's hands when her newborn baby was being prepped for surgery, and I have looked into the terrified eyes of an elderly person in pain. Nurses literally go into battle, serving in military operations all over the world. They also learn and implement the latest in medical technology. This blog is to highlight nurses and prove that they deserve respect and appreciation for all that they do.

Torn Meniscus: What It Is & How A Knee Walker Can Help As You Heal

Is your knee swollen and harder to move than usual? You may have a torn meniscus that requires prompt attention from a physician. There are knee walkers available that can make getting around easier during the treatment and healing process. In this article, learn what it means to have a torn meniscus and how a knee walker can help you out.

What is a Torn Meniscus?

There are two pieces of cartilage in each of your knees called menisci. The cartilage is important because it prevents your shinbones and thighbones from rubbing together when you are moving your legs. If the menisci become torn, you can have problems with your knees, such as stiffness, pain and popping. There are several activities that can lead to you obtaining a torn meniscus, including:

  • Bending your knees to kneel
  • Doing squats when exercising
  • Normal cartilage deterioration from age

A torn meniscus can happen when you move your knees in an aggressive manner, especially when performing a repeated motion (multiple squats at a time).

A physician can examine your knee and bend it to find out where the problem lies. He or she may also perform an ultrasound, x-ray and other tests to get a look at the inside of your knee. It is possible for a torn meniscus to heal on its own by keeping pressure off of your knees and resting. A doctor can also prescribe pain medications to help you get pain relief. Sometimes surgery is necessary if natural healing natural healing does not work, and a knee walker can be used to support your knee until you fully recover.

How Can a Knee Walker Help with a Torn Meniscus?

A knee walker is a device that allows you to rest the injured knee on a seat. As your injured knee is resting on the seat, your healthy leg can be used to maneuver the scooter around. The seat is ideal for people of many different heights because it can be adjusted. There are also brakes on the walker that can help you stop the scooter in case it begins to roll to fast. Using a knee walker will give you the ability to move around as you heal instead of having to stay on bed rest.

Make sure you don't cause further damage to the cartilage in your knees by failing to get examined and diagnosed. Invest in a knee walker so you can get safely get around as your torn meniscus heals!