for display only
Big Blue Interactive The Corner Forum  
Back to the Corner

Archived Thread

NFT: Torn Meniscus

Tom in DC : 2/19/2018 8:05 am
Hey everyone. Four years back, I was playing soccer with my daughter. She was young and she tackled me in good fun. However, my right knee hit the ground hard and ever since then I have had some loose particle floating around in my knee. Fast forward to a few days ago, where said loose particle jammed behind my kneecap and prevents me from fully straightening my leg. My primary care ordered an MRI which according to him revealed a torn lateral meniscus, a fissure in one of my bones, and "a couple other problems". He seems to think surgery is a forgone conclusion. Has anyone here had meniscus surgery? How long are you really down for before you can resume work / normal life?
Dude I just posted  
Keith : 2/19/2018 8:06 am : link
a long response. Did you see it??
RE: Dude I just posted  
Tom in DC : 2/19/2018 8:13 am : link
In comment 13835897 Keith said:
Quote:
a long response. Did you see it??


Keith, I am sorry, I did not. I deleted and reset the thread to NFT. Sorry again.
I’m the worlds slowest phone typer, take 2...  
Keith : 2/19/2018 8:22 am : link
I’ve had a torn meniscus in each knee, however there are two different kinds of surgery, repair or removal. I’ve had both.

Repair-usually for younger, active people, but not all meniscus tears can be repaired. Depends on where it’s torn. Recovery is longer, 6-8 months and you’ll be on crutches for at least a month. Usually it heals and you’re back to 100% or real close to it. Minimal long term effects if any.

Removal-when it’s torn at the edges, they’ll just shave it down and remove the torn parts of the meniscus. Sounds like this is what you’ll have. Recovery is easier than a cold. Crutches for a day, back to activities in sa month. Maybe you’ll miss a day of work. They are removing a part of your meniscus so there will be long term effects. The meniscus protects your knee and keeps the bones from hitting each other. Over time, your bones will hit and it will cause arthritis. Could be very minor, depends on your activity level.
To clarify  
Keith : 2/19/2018 8:27 am : link
A lateral tear is the outside of the meniscus which means you’ll have the torn parts removed. You’ll have instant relief.
Torn Meniscus - My Untrained Personal Advice, for what it's worth  
varco : 2/19/2018 8:31 am : link
Over the years, I have had recurring knee issues, probably tore the meniscus several times and had occasional "lock up". I finally had surgery on one knee five years ago. Full Recovery was relatively long --several months (including physical therapy, etc.), though I was able to return to work in about a month (I had a long railroad commute and walk from Grand Central). If I had to do it again, I probably would not and here's the reason ---turns out I had significant arthritis in the knee which should have been picked up prior to surgery (but that's another story). Sure, the meniscus was shaved and particles cleaned up, but the arthritis is still there and has plagued me ever since, despite lubricating injections. I can feel every step I take, some days worse than others. I am now in a position where a knee replacement is inevitable --the only question is when Medicare will authorize, which may not happen for a few more years. Seems you have to be in terrible shape to get an approval and I was told I still have some "tread" left.

Here's my advice ---if you do not have accompanying arthritis, then have it fixed. I have known others where there was no arthritis and the meniscus shaving worked well. However, if there is arthritis present, you may want to adopt an alternative strategy with your Dr. --cortisone shots, physical therapy, etc.
Keith  
Tom in DC : 2/19/2018 8:33 am : link
Thanks for the response and thanks for re-typing it after I deleted my original thread. There aren't any marathons in my future, but I would like to remain active to keep my weight down.
Tom, you’ll be able to stay active,  
Keith : 2/19/2018 8:36 am : link
however you’ll def have to be more aware of the knee. Running is very high impact on your knees. I was like 30 when I had the removal, I was back to playing ball in about a month, maybe a little longer.
Torn  
fskfred : 2/19/2018 8:57 am : link
I had surgery last july. Surgeon, removed a piece and sewed one.
I walked out of surgery was playing golf in a month.I'm over 70!. Depends on surgical need . Of course I used qualified knee surgeon!
Echoing fskfred  
varco : 2/19/2018 9:10 am : link
Please, by all means, seek out the best surgeon you can find, even if you have to travel a bit. Ask around, ask for recommendations from professionals (other doctors, nurses, etc.). For instance, I appreciate the honesty of my current orthopedist, who told me that if I needed a replacement, she would only send me to the best doctor and hospital qualified to perform the surgery. There's a big difference between surgeons who may perform 20 replacements a year vs. those who perform over 100. Same with other procedures.
I had two tears in one knee  
gmenrule : 2/19/2018 9:22 am : link
Had surgery on a Friday morning and was driving and walking on Saturday morning with no pain. Then you just have to let it heal before you can run, lift weights (gradually) etc. I don't remember how long it was before I could do all exercise again. Stopping and cutting when running was one of the last things.
I had the trim it up and clean out proceedure  
tangled up in blue : 2/19/2018 9:24 am : link
4 years ago. Took it easy for 2 days anad then gradually returned to full activities within a month. Surgery took less than 30 minutes.
Thanks for the responses  
Tom in DC : 2/19/2018 9:35 am : link
everyone. Hopefully, it can just be a simple surgery with an easy recovery.
I had meniscus surgery  
Gman11 : 2/19/2018 11:37 am : link
when I was 49 years old. They shaved off the torn part. I was playing soccer again 3 weeks after surgery.

It all depends on the severity of the tear. Mine wasn't so bad and even at almost 50 years old my recovery time was minimal. I exercised every day, first on a stationary bike then the treadmill.
oddly enough  
djm : 2/19/2018 11:41 am : link
I am going to get an MRI in 2 hours on my right knee. It's definitely meniscus related but not sure if it's a full tear.

My knee hasn't been the same since new years eve. I went to that Giants game --so fucking cold. God knows what I did to it but it hasn't been right since. Another gift from this NFL season.
RE: Torn Meniscus - My Untrained Personal Advice, for what it's worth  
yankeeslover : 2/19/2018 2:51 pm : link
In comment 13835906 varco said:
Quote:
Over the years, I have had recurring knee issues, probably tore the meniscus several times and had occasional "lock up". I finally had surgery on one knee five years ago. Full Recovery was relatively long --several months (including physical therapy, etc.), though I was able to return to work in about a month (I had a long railroad commute and walk from Grand Central). If I had to do it again, I probably would not and here's the reason ---turns out I had significant arthritis in the knee which should have been picked up prior to surgery (but that's another story). Sure, the meniscus was shaved and particles cleaned up, but the arthritis is still there and has plagued me ever since, despite lubricating injections. I can feel every step I take, some days worse than others. I am now in a position where a knee replacement is inevitable --the only question is when Medicare will authorize, which may not happen for a few more years. Seems you have to be in terrible shape to get an approval and I was told I still have some "tread" left.

Here's my advice ---if you do not have accompanying arthritis, then have it fixed. I have known others where there was no arthritis and the meniscus shaving worked well. However, if there is arthritis present, you may want to adopt an alternative strategy with your Dr. --cortisone shots, physical therapy, etc.


Three prior surgeries for torn meniscus. Now im 40 YO and my inside of knee is arthritic. I now go in on 2/27 for HTO surgery..where they put a wedge in my shin bone and reshift the weight of my knee to the outside... pretty extensive surgery.. not looking forward to it nor the rehab.. But better then a partial knee replacement. having this done next week in Saratoga.... Torn meniscus is no joke.
I have a torn meniscus too  
5BowlsSoon : 2/19/2018 3:31 pm : link
Doc wanted surgery but after I researched this, I found out there are lots of studies which show PT results are just as effective as surgery for people my age. >55

I’m pretty active and it hasn’t stopped me from such. I ice my knee after I run or play tennis. The bosa ball is my friend. I continue doing exercises.

I tore my lateral meniscus 30 years ago.  
WideRight : 2/19/2018 4:01 pm : link
Surfing accident. Had swelling and lock-ups just as you described. Six months in, I had surgery. Surgeon told me I'd be "good to go" the next day, and I was, to the point that I skipped all physical therapy and follow-up for a year. I was active, but didn't get it all back. So went back to the surgeon, and he sent me to physical therapy, a full year after the surgery. I did that for 2-3 months and got back to 100%. Played basketball 3x/week for 20 years. Towards the end it would swell more and more, until I decreased the frequency to once a week or less. It was only the lateral movement activities that cause the swelling. I still run to this day. Its arthritic, but completely pain free. I consider it a success.
Had it a few years back  
Steve L : 2/19/2018 4:04 pm : link
It was a piece of cake. Crutches for a bit then back to normal rather quickly.

Thanks Everyone  
Tom in DC : 2/20/2018 8:34 am : link
I meet with the surgeon in a week. Hopefully it will be something simple with a shortish recovery. I'll give an update after the appointment.
Informative  
Percy : 2/20/2018 10:40 am : link
And scary thread. I've had a knee problem from a skiing incident when I was about 20. Not sure if the meniscus was involved, but it probably was. But it must have been no more than some minor tear. Still, it has bothered me ever since. Feel it every time I go up or down stairs. Running aggravated it years ago -- so I stopped doing that. Mid-70s now. Very glad I was never confronted with the real meniscus and repair problems so helpfully discussed above.
It is scary.  
Keith : 2/20/2018 11:13 am : link
I'm kinda banking on some medical advancements. Seems like we are getting close to it. Either regrowing cartlidge or somehow using an implant. Really hoping I won't need 2 knee replacements in a few years(41 years old with 4 knee surgeries, 2 ACL reconstructions, meniscus repair and meniscus removal).
Well  
djm : 2/20/2018 10:09 pm : link
Just found out earlier this evening I do in fact have a torn meniscus. "Bucket handle complex tear" whatever the fuck that means -- after reading up on it, not too good. Not the best bday news one can get. I pretty much knew it was a tear but last two days the pain had really subsided, was a little hopeful it was just a weird lingering minor issue.

Doc follow visit up should be interesting... surgery likely.... .yippee... crutches ugh
My learned lesson, and a question  
WideRight : 2/21/2018 8:12 am : link
I learned you can't do surgery without the physical therapy, but I wonder if you can do physical therapy without the surgery? That has been proven for back/spine problems, but I think its unknown for knees.
Yes, you can do PT without the surgery.  
Keith : 2/21/2018 9:07 am : link
You want to avoid surgery at all costs if you can, but the meniscus will never heal on its own. Once it's compromised, it will only get worse. You can however build up the muscles around the knee so that you are putting less pressure on your knee, but that won't fix the problem.
Back to the Corner