Has anyone had a torn meniscus?

[debdeenie]

I'm 67 years old and play tennis 5 times a week. I had a sever radial tear of the meniscus at the root/horn junction. My orthopedic doctor recommended arthroscopic surgery to repair the cartilage, however I researched this type injury and read a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine where patients with this type of injury were divided into two groups one group got surgery, the other physical therapy. The group that had therapy did just as well as those that had surgery. I opted to forgo surgery and give the PT a try. I did heavy PT twice per day and went to the therapist 3 times a week. I did no physical activity for 8 weeks. My condition improved steadily and the pain became minimal and intermittent. I went back to playing tennis two weeks ago and my knee feels fine today. I continue with some PT each day. I recommend anyone with this injury take a hard look at PT as an alternative to surgery which is painful and will set you back for months. It will require some work on your part but it may well be worth it in the end.

Ed Tennis
R u still around? Want to ask u about your tears

Hello - I am so glad I just ran across your comments. I have been searching online for comments by anyone who might have had an injury similar to mine! You are the first I have found! Two months ago I was diagnosed with a medial meniscus root tear, following casual running for a week in an effort to get back into running. Apparently this injury is pretty uncommon. I am 44 and have never had a knee injury (never had any serious injury actually) so this has really thrown me for a loop. I play tennis once a week and was planning to join a team in the fall when my children are finally in school all day. So … I am devastated. At the time of the injury, I was in severe pain and agreed to a cortisone injection. Thank goodness, because it was like a miracle drug. I was totally pain free for one month. During that time, I had an MRI and found out what the injury was. So I knew it was just a matter of time before the cortisone began to wear off. For the past month, I have pain and the feeling of swelling and tightness after only minimal exercise. I have been to PT once and was given 6 exercises to do at home. I have done them twice a day and need to go back for another session. Like you, I have read the same study which compares surgery and PT. As you probably know, the surgical repair has only been done for the past 7 or 8 years. I live in Memphis, TN. The top orthopedic surgeon here said he would not have the surgery done on himself because it is so new and complicated. He really kind of dismissed the injury and said that as long as I can walk and am not in too much pain, just get on with my life and do what I want to do. He did say to avoid squats and lunges. I have been in contact with the renowned surgeon in Vail, CO (whom you have probably researched as well) whose office staff said that he does the surgical repair procedure twice a week. They said that a root tear HAS to be surgically repaired b/c having a root tear essentially makes the meniscus ineffective, and continuing activity on it will only bring rapid onset of osteoarthritis. I'm sorry for such a lengthy comment but I just felt so much in common with what you said and wanted to get your opinion, (although you've already stated it!). I am feeling like I have the second half of my life beginning which will now consist of not being able to squat down to do yard work or easily kneel down to play with my children on the floor, no tennis which is my absolute favorite sport, and osteoarthritis beginning one year very soon. I wanted to ask … Where do you live? Does your surgeon feel confident in doing the root tear repair yet you still decided against it? Could you give me an example of the "heavy PT" you are doing? And what do you think about the bending/squating and turning involved in tennis with relation to your root tear? Also how long ago was your injury? Thank you SO much for any comments you could send back to me.

hi. What did u do about your tear in 3015? I know that I have one. Wish Ed Tennis had returned to your message.

 

[CarolAnn856]

If you click on a poster's name, it tells you the last time someone posted on the Dis. It looks like Ed's post on this thread was his first and last, so I doubt you'll get a response.

I had a nenuscus repair on my right knee about 6 years ago, and the recovery wasn't bad. I was walking around Lake Placis, with all its hills, about a month later.

Now I'm having problrms with my left knee. The MRI shows fraying and some small tears to the posterior lateral horn of the meniscus plus some patellofemoral wear and tear. I see my orthopedist later this week, so I'm waiting to hear what she says. I've heard that she doesn't rush her patients to surgery, which I think is good.

 

[Heidict]

I have had this surgery done 3 times. Super easy surgery and recovery. Used crutches for a day or 2 to hobble to the bathroom and after that nothing. It hurt a bit, and took a couple weeks to be totally pain free, but that can vary from person to person, depending on so much. As for work, did the surgery on Wednesday and was back to work on Monday.

Edited to add: Ugh, got sucked into a time warp. Didn't realize this was an old thread.