Meniscus tear experience?

[minkydog]

I've had knee pain for about 2 years. After at least 12 cortisone injections, 5 shots of Synvisc in each knee, and 15 weeks of PT my knee finally got better. And then I fell down the stairs in Sept. Between Sept & Jan I injured that knee 6 more times and I finally threw in the towel. I had severely torn both sides of the meniscii in a starburst pattern. My knee hurt night and day.

I had arthroscopy in Feb. When the surgeon got in there, the knee was much worse than he thought. I really could have had a total knee replacement. The doctor trimmed up the meniscii as best he could, smoothed the bone ends, and suctioned out all the debris. I was non-weight-bearing for 2 weeks and have been slow to regain the strength in that knee. I'm 4 months post-op and I feel like I finally turned a corner about 3 weeks ago. I am still in aquatic PT and making good progress.

Even though my knee is still not 100% and may never be 100%, it is still very much better than it was before surgery. My knee isn't slipping around and I have great flexibility. I can go up stairs quick as a bunny, although going downstairs is still a challenge.

The one thing I wish were done differently is I wish my surgeon had been straight forward about the recovery. I was led to believe that I would bounce back quickly and that it was rather a no big deal surgery. It was not. I have worked very hard to get this knee working again.

Would I do it again? Yes, in the long run I would. Would I have waited so long to do surgery? Yes. I tried everything possible to heal the knee and avoid surgery, but in the end it had to be done. I know there is a knee replacement in my future but that day is not today.

 

[Callie]

I guess I'm also worried about surgery due to how long it took to recover when I had my shoulder repaired after tearing a muscle in it, and having my shoulder constantly dislocate.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I guess I'm also worried about surgery due to how long it took to recover when I had my shoulder repaired after tearing a muscle in it, and having my shoulder constantly dislocate.

The two surgeries would be different. It was explained to me that my me issued post-surgery was fine. I just had to recover from the "trauma" of the surgery itself.

Clearly everyone has different timelines from recovery. But it should be better healing than from a repaired torn muscle.


The only way to know is to consult an orthopedist, confirm diagnosis, and speak to him/her about your concerns.

 

[lustergirl]

You're right, that's what I meant . Her tear was in an area where there is more blood flow and so they could repair it v/s trimming it.


*ouch* Good thoughts going out to you for continued healing {hugs}.


I agree. OP, I think it's better to go through your work channels than to have your insurance company come after your work to try to stick the cost of your medical care with Workers Comp after the fact. I *just* received a letter yesterday from my family's insurance company asking for details of my DD's injuries so they can recoup some of their costs. The form asked if the injury was at work (to hit up Workers Comp), of if it was on someone else's property (so they can hit their insurance up for the costs), did it take place in a car (to hit up your/their car insurance) or if we sued someone and received a settlement (so they can take some of it).

No problem. Unfortunately I have become an "expert on knee surgeries". A couple of years ago my son tore up his meniscus and had the repair done. He was on crutches for like 4 weeks and at physical therapy hurt like crazy.

 

[lustergirl]

The two surgeries would be different. It was explained to me that my me issued post-surgery was fine. I just had to recover from the "trauma" of the surgery itself.

Clearly everyone has different timelines from recovery. But it should be better healing than from a repaired torn muscle.


The only way to know is to consult an orthopedist, confirm diagnosis, and speak to him/her about your concerns.

You are absolutely right. A repaired meniscus takes way longer to recover from. With a partial menisectomy you can hopefully walk out of the surgery center with the aid of crutches maybe.

 

[tuckerkeys]

OP, I would go to a very reputable sports doc in your area. A good practice does surgery as well as just physical therapy. For a small meniscus tear, it is totally do-able to live with it, esp with great PT care!

I tore my meniscus as well as acl while skiing. I was out for 2 weeks, but, was still able to do my stuff daily. It was when I went to bed that I noticed the dull, throbbing pain.

the 1st doc I went to ( once I had my MRI on my knee ) wanted to schedule me for surgery after 5 minutes in the office. I couldn't get over how I was still able to function ( and back to skiing ) with only moderate pain at the end of the day.

The 2nd doc was a sports surgery practice in Philadelphia. After 5 minutes he said surgery was so not necessary, that tons of people live with these injuries, and just use physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the knee to take the pressure off & it's great. I did it & am 100% back to where I was before injury.

Doc also told me that with meniscus tears, there is no "growing back" from the rip-tear. That where the rip is, it is cut out - sometimes sewn together, however it does not regenerate. The meniscus is basically padding between the knee joint. I believe some people have it completely removed & artificial padding is put back in. For a minor rip tho, PT defiantly works

Good luck in whatever you do! Aleve was the only thing that helped me with the pain while I was doing the PT. Advil & tylenol did nothing while I was working out