Torn Meniscus

I’ve been having problems with my left knee since April and I finally got in to see an Ortho yesterday.

The Doc is pretty sure it’s a torn meniscus and I’ll be getting an MRI shortly for conformation. My symptoms are somewhat atypical as I have no problem bending the knee and it doesn’t make any popping noises which is party why I’ve taken so long to take action on this.

The good news is that I work for a company that has a very generous policy for things like this and I’m at a good breaking point as I’m just now finishing up the deployment of a big multi-state program.

Anyway, I’d appreciate it if others that have been through this would share their experiences.

No personal experience, and I'm not going to extrapolate from my experience with dogs

Just wanted to wish you luck and a speedy recovery.

I’ve had both knees done. Not horrible and recovery was fairly quick. Get it done and your knees will work better. I was using a clutch again within two weeks. 

I've torn the meniscus in my right knee twice now. Both were small enough that rest, anti imflamatorys and ice were all the ortho recommended. Both my knees are very notchy, so mine was obvious. 

I chose to stay awake during both of my surgeries. I had an epidural and watched the surgeon work on a tv monitor. It was pretty cool. The first two nights were pretty uncomfortable but then it got progressively better each day. I used crutches for the first 24 hours, and then a cane for a few weeks. I never needed anything more than ibuprofen and ice for the pain.

My left knee has it.  Trying to avoid another surgery, (tired of being operated on), so the Doc recommended PT.  It has helped, along with some ice every now and then.    

Data suggests that Meniscus tear surgery is not any more effective than PT and Rest....   I had a doc tell me that he'd like to cut me open to clean up the knee after my MRI showed nothing..   Yeah no thanks... 

https://www.niams.nih.gov/newsroom/spotlight-on-research/physical-therapy-treat-torn-meniscus-comparable-surgery-many

http://www.apta.org/PTinMotion/News/2017/5/12/CPGArthroscopicSurgery/

Mine went away after a while all three times it folded up, or tore, or whatever.  Irritating as hell when I can't straighten my leg out.  Makes me look like I'm employed at the Ministry of Silly Walks. At least twice, it has showed up within a day of doing some brush clearing type of work, where I am kicking stuff ahead of me into a pile. 

I don't kick brush into a pile anymore, and it always makes me happy when it gets better.

In reply to Fueled by Caffeine :

It all depends upon the size and location of the tear.  My knee locked up and gave me excruciating pain.  After the operation I pop when I climb stairs, but pain is completely gone.

My wife is going through this right now and her tear either started small and has grown or else the location is the issue because she can hardly bear it.

I tore mine in my car wreck in '15. It had a little pain and then started popping and clicking when I started walking more. The real fun was when the knee would give out for no reason at all. I eventually had laparoscopic surgery to clean it up.  Stop here if you are easily grossed out...

#3 & 4 Flotsam in the knee. Torn meniscus, cartilage, bone particles before cleanout

#5 Laparoscopic tool sucking out all the junk.

#6 The top of the right side of my left knee. That is supposed to be baby smooth cartilage. This was from the car impact. This may result in a partial or full knee replacement down the road. #notexcited

#8 The cartilage on the left side of my left knee. Baby smooth like it is supposed to be.

i have a torn lateral meniscus in my right knee.  doc is looking into it as a contributor to an anterior cyst which got infected a few months ago.  2 nights in the hospital (treating the infection, draining the cyst), CT, X Rays, MRI, ultrasound and an arthrogram later, still looking for what caused the cyst.  don't want to do nothing (already met my yearly maximum out of pocket) and certainly don't want to spend 2 nights in the hospital again.  doc has recommended at the very worst to go in arthroscopically and debride the torn "leaves" of my meniscus.  i'm not excited, but happy that he at least wants to get a clear picture of 'why', before cutting me open.

following with interest.  

Well the wife needs this knee replaced too.  She had the other one done 4 years ago.

The tear in the meniscus allowed it to split and move out of the way.  Unfortunately they can't schedule it for about 2 months.

My brother in law had his surgically repaired.  I think he was about two weeks from surgery to walking with a cane.  I don't remember how long it took to full recovery but he considers it %100 repaired.

Blew up my left ACL. Not the same thing, but I will say this: do everything the doctor tells you. DO EVERYTHING THE DOCTOR TELLS YOU.  If you go to physical therapy,  do everything your therapist tells you. DO EVERYTHING YOUR THERAPIST TELLS YOU.  It worked for me, because I listened and did what I was told by medical professionals. All you have to do is your part.

It took a year for them to operate on mine, between jumping through insurance hoops and COVID insanity. Torn meniscus and arthritis. Doc said he could fix the meniscus but the rest of it was junk. OCT of 19

Had a total joint replacement in late Jan. Took 3.5 months to get back to "normal". I'm in the 5th month now and enjoying the benefits of a knee that works well and is pain free.

The first month was hell!

In reply to RX Reven' :

How's your knee? did you get the surgery or rehab or? I tore mine twice according to an MRI. I almost got surgery both times especially the second but declined and chose alternate methods and rehab. doing pretty good. Don't feel limited from doing anything. Occasionally both knees can get irritated.

Surgery does help some people. I think it depends on your doctor, your tear and you. But quite a few people have further complications following surgery. 

There are studies like Fueled by caffeine mentions that do show no better result vs. rehab. And many others that would make you think twice about getting it.

http://inghh.com/heal-torn-meniscus-without-surgery/

In reply to carguy123 :

What do you mean pop when you climb stairs? Like the knee cap or in the joint?

Oh man. I have been having issues with my right knee for almost a month now.  Occasionally I will be walking and it feels like something gets caught and it is extremely painful for a few steps. Your post has motivated me to go to the doctor and have it checked out. I hope you have a speedy recovery!

1rub said:

In reply to RX Reven' :

How's your knee? did you get the surgery or rehab or? I tore mine twice according to an MRI. I almost got surgery both times especially the second but declined and chose alternate methods and rehab. doing pretty good. Don't feel limited from doing anything. Occasionally both knees can get irritated.

Surgery does help some people. I think it depends on your doctor, your tear and you. But quite a few people have further complications following surgery. 

There are studies like Fueled by caffeine mentions that do show no better result vs. rehab. And many others that would make you think twice about getting it.

http://inghh.com/heal-torn-meniscus-without-surgery/

How strange, my three year old thread got resurrected two days ago and yesterday one of my daughters is believed to have torn her meniscus...she gets an MRI tomorrow for conformation.

Hi 1rub,

In my case, it turmed out be bursitis and I was given some meds to, I believe, relax my circulatory system which caused a surprisingly quick recovery...I was 90% fine just a few days after starting the meds.

Canoe.

In reply to Brett_Murphy (Agent of Chaos) :

I was wondering about that but APEowner (SuperDork) brought the thread back to life and 1rub didn't try to sell us anything or direct us to some site so I accepted it as probably being legit.

BTW, my other daughter dislocated her knee three weeks ago so I'm two-for-two with daughters on crutches right now and the ortho is on speed dial.