Please tell me about torn meniscus surgery!!! Sort of long, sorry.

[maslex]

I tore my meniscus back in January on the job. Have been out of work since. Saw the doctor, he ordered physical therapy for a few weeks and then I have to go back for a recheck this Thursday to see if I'm "all better" or if I'm going to need surgery.

He also told me on that first visit not to do any stairs until I see him again, which would be in 6 weeks (this Thursday) I can't avoid the two stairs from my kitchen into the garage, so I've had to do those. But I can say that I've only gone up/down a set of stairs 2x in those 6 weeks (over my mother's house, the only bathroom is upstairs)

But anyhow, physical therapy has been going good. She has me doing certain exercises. I have moved from doing 1 rep of 30 (whatever excerise she has me doing at that particular time) to doing 3 reps of 30. I have noticed a difference in the use of my knee. I can get up from my recliner a lot easier (and most times without help). It sits low. I do still feel a little "tightness" in the knee. I still can't kneel down to put any pressure on it. Don't even know if I ever will again??? This past Friday she had me starting to do "step" exercises. She had me hold on to the handlebars and step up onto a wooden box. Luckily it was not 3 reps of 30. NO WAY would I have been able to do that. But she started me off doing 10. I was able to do them with no problem. She then had me step up onto the box sideways. This was a little more challenging but nothing that I couldn't do. WELL....let me tell you, later that day and for the rest of the weekend, my legs were killing me. I'm thinking I might have done a little too much. She sent me home with some step exercises to do but there was no way in hell that was happening this weekend. I could barely walk, let alone "exercise".
I do have one more session of PT on Wed before I go back to the doctors on Thursday.

My gut is telling me that he's going to tell me I need surgery. I don't feel that my knee is "up to par". The big thing for me is going up/down stairs and walking any kind of distance. And I drive a school bus so getting to and from the bus (from our office) is a bit of a walk plus I have to go up 4 steps, with the first step being quite high up. Not sure I can do that right now. Actually, I know I can't. So that's why I'm thinking he's going to tell me...surgery!!! The thing is, I'm terrified of surgeries. Plus two other girls at work have recently had this same surgery (one within the last year and the other within the last few months) and they both say that their knee still bothers them and that it's really not like it was before. Is this normal? If I go through surgery, I'd like for my knee to get back to what it was before (or atleast close to it) But both of them still say that it's hard to do stairs and there's still some pain, just not as much.

And the last thing that has me nervous is another friend of mine, had a friend who had this same surgery and ended up dying from a blood clot.

Any insight on this surgery and any advice on how to control my nerves?

 

[rwdavis2]

I've had it 3 times and it's not a big deal. Does the knee hurt going down hill or steps? That's when most of the stress is put onto the knee, going down. Kneeling is definitely a no-no with a torn meniscus and after surgery. If you're having pain after walking a distance or stairs you will probably need the surgery. PT never works for meniscus tears. It's usually a way for the health insurance to put off the expense.

After my first surgery my knee (left) was pretty much back to normal although I was only 39. That knee had a second surgery in 2004. I've got some arthritis in that knee now. I had surgery on the right knee in 2002 and it's still in good shape. Between weight and age my left knee is shot although dropping 50lbs is putting of the replacement.

The blood clot death is extremely rare and could happen with any surgery so don't worry about it if you can help it.

You'll probably be walking without crutches in 2-3 days if everything is normal. I've always had spinals for my surgeries but a general anesthetic is the norm. It gets you out of the recovery area quicker. With a spinal they don't let you go until you can get onto the toilet by yourself and also urinate.

If you do the PT after the surgery and don't stress it too soon you should be OK. Good luck!

 

[Jrsy Boy]

I had surgery for a torn meniscus in October 2006. I think the actual surgery was on a Thursday, I took Friday off and kept off of it for most of the weekend but was back at work on Monday, granted with a scrip for Vicodin, which I did need.

First couple of weeks were difficult, but I was never on crutches. By the time we went to WDW in February, there was no indication that I'd had the surgery, other than the scars. Walked around WDW for three days then boarded the Wonder and handled all of those stairs for four days. My knee killed me on our previous WDW/DCL trip in '05 and I was downing Advil like crazy. This time, not even a twinge...and it has not bothered me at all since then.

 

[maslex]

I've had it 3 times and it's not a big deal. Does the knee hurt going down hill or steps? That's when most of the stress is put onto the knee, going down. Kneeling is definitely a no-no with a torn meniscus and after surgery. If you're having pain after walking a distance or stairs you will probably need the surgery. PT never works for meniscus tears. It's usually a way for the health insurance to put off the expense.

After my first surgery my knee (left) was pretty much back to normal although I was only 39. That knee had a second surgery in 2004. I've got some arthritis in that knee now. I had surgery on the right knee in 2002 and it's still in good shape. Between weight and age my left knee is shot although dropping 50lbs is putting of the replacement.

The blood clot death is extremely rare and could happen with any surgery so don't worry about it if you can help it.

You'll probably be walking without crutches in 2-3 days if everything is normal. I've always had spinals for my surgeries but a general anesthetic is the norm. It gets you out of the recovery area quicker. With a spinal they don't let you go until you can get onto the toilet by yourself and also urinate.

If you do the PT after the surgery and don't stress it too soon you should be OK. Good luck!

I guess I dont' understand having more than one surgery on the same knee. Did you tear it again? Or is it normal to have to have another surgery years down the road?

I really wish I would have known that PT doesn't really work. I'm actually out on workman's comp, so I don't know if that's the same as why insurances put off surgery??

And congrats on losing 50lbs. I know that my weight is a HUGE reason why my knees aren't the best also. I'm also going to be 41 this year, so I really don't see it getting much better with age. LOL

I had surgery for a torn meniscus in October 2006. I think the actual surgery was on a Thursday, I took Friday off and kept off of it for most of the weekend but was back at work on Monday, granted with a scrip for Vicodin, which I did need.

First couple of weeks were difficult, but I was never on crutches. By the time we went to WDW in February, there was no indication that I'd had the surgery, other than the scars. Walked around WDW for three days then boarded the Wonder and handled all of those stairs for four days. My knee killed me on our previous WDW/DCL trip in '05 and I was downing Advil like crazy. This time, not even a twinge...and it has not bothered me at all since then.

This is what I'm hoping for. We have a cruise in June (on Disney Fantasy..can't wait!!!) and I know there is a lot of walking on and off the ship. Also another cruise in August. So I'm hoping to have a better knee by then. And I'm assuming it'll require surgery.

 

[dngnb8]

Get teh surgery. I tore mine years ago. I didnt get my tear taken care of. Now I need a knee replacement.

 

[maslex]

Get teh surgery. I tore mine years ago. I didnt get my tear taken care of. Now I need a knee replacement.

That's what I was afraid of. Even though I do NOT want this surgery, I sure don't want to go through a knee replacement.

 

[Mom3girls]

My husband tore his meniscus back in Nov. He had the surgery on Jan 26th. He was on crutches for 2-3 days and then was able to bear weight on it. He said it was sore but that was only for a few days. He is still going to physical therapy 3xs a week for his job because he is still having issues with his range of motion in that knee. He said it was a breeze and nothing like he thought it was gonna be. You always have someone telling you some nightmarish surgery story...don't let them scare you!!!

 

[dngnb8]

That's what I was afraid of. Even though I do NOT want this surgery, I sure don't want to go through a knee replacement.

Neither do I. I will just limp now and then for now. I have a high pain tolerance. That is kind of why I didnt get it taken care of. I just took 2 Aleve and that did the trick.

Now I wish it hurt more. I would have taken care of it then. LOL

 

[Christine]

My mom had this surgery done on December 28th. She is 68 years old and was in relatively good shape.

She was on one crutch for a week or two because she just didn't feel stable. She did PT for 6 weeks after and has religiously been doing the exercise. She gets around fine now (almost 3 months later) but she says she feels like she will never walk fast again. She went with us on a college visit this weekend and I noticed I really had to stroll so that she could keep up with us. Prior to her injury, she was a very fast walker. Her knee does not hurt her at all, no pain, but she says it just doesn't feel like she did before she was hurt.

I don't know if this has to do with her age or what.

 

[maslex]

My husband tore his meniscus back in Nov. He had the surgery on Jan 26th. He was on crutches for 2-3 days and then was able to bear weight on it. He said it was sore but that was only for a few days. He is still going to physical therapy 3xs a week for his job because he is still having issues with his range of motion in that knee. He said it was a breeze and nothing like he thought it was gonna be. You always have someone telling you some nightmarish surgery story...don't let them scare you!!!

So after surgery, you're still required to go to PT? I'm assuming I'd still be out of work for a while after surgery?

What about stairs? If he can do stairs, how long after surgery? That's my biggest issue right now.

 

[asta]

I have had surgery on the meniscus in both of my knees. It turned out that in one of my knees the suspected tear was really just osteo arthritis. They laproscopically shaved off the fuzzy surfaces and I never really saw any relief from that. The pain in that knee has been a long down hill journey and I am going to have that knee replaced soon. The other knee was an actual tear in the meniscus. It was torn enough that a piece was rolling up under the kneecap and causing a whole different kind of pain. The surgery trimmed the torn area and I received a tremendous amount of relief.

The most important thing you can do after surgery is to keep up the PT. The surgery disturbs the muscles around the knee and you have to build this strength back. I think that exercise and particularly weight training is critical in managing bad knees. It won't get rid of all of the pain but it will give you stronger muscles and more stable joints.

I hope you find some kind of relief. Bad knees can change your life. And I pray that for all our sakes that someone can get a new drug on the market that will replace the void left by Bextra and Vioxx.

 

[dodukes]

I had the surgery back in 09 I think it was (i confuse the years lol sorry) but I was only on crutches for a little while (more than a few days because I was afraid to walk on it) however I was driving 2-3 days after surgery and yes it was my right knee, so I wouldnt walk on it but I would drive LOL (it was mental thing of putting too much pressure on it) I have to tell you that what 2-3 years later the knee feels JUST LIKE it did before i had pain. I had a torn meniscus (which I knew nothing off, I had had pain in that knee for YEARS before it got so bad I relented and saw a doctor.) So they did that and shaved off some stuff fromt the opposite side of my knee.

Given the chance I'd do it all over again and SOONER!!! I can't tell you how great it is to not feel pain. I am 31 now btw so I think I was like 28 when I had it. One month later I went to disney and walked just fine, a lot slower than Im used to but jsut fine. I was jsut very hesitant to "do" something to my knee so it took me a long time to actually realize that the knee was fine and it was my head holding me back. I laugh at it now because I kneel, squat (altho I will admit to occasional small remembrance if Im squatting and putting most of the weight on that knee for too long), run, walk do stairs, you name it and it doesnt hurt.

Dont let the surgery stop you from getting better. I did no physical therapy after the surgery and I can tell you with 100% if I saw a Dr. today I dont think I have lost any range of motion in that knee what so ever.

If you are not confortable with your doctor, get another opinon. I was very confident in my doctor and that helped a lot. He is the dr. for one of our Pro teams so I felt if he did things to them, I was in good hands. The right doctor was very important to me. And the office never hesitated if I called for a stupid question (which I did, twice!).

 

[Art 1]

I had it done 3 years ago and walked out afterwards. I worked up to the day of the surgery. My Son had it done in high school after tearing it in wrestling. He wrestled up to the day of surgery and walked through a spread out high school campus and was back on the mat in 4 weeks. Can't imagine that you are not working because of this.

 

[rwdavis2]

So after surgery, you're still required to go to PT? I'm assuming I'd still be out of work for a while after surgery?

What about stairs? If he can do stairs, how long after surgery? That's my biggest issue right now.

I always had my surgery on Thursday and back to work on Monday although it is a desk job. You can do stairs the day of the surgery but you have to be careful. All the work (bending) is done by the good leg.

 

[rwdavis2]

That's what I was afraid of. Even though I do NOT want this surgery, I sure don't want to go through a knee replacement.

You have that correct. Miniscus surgery is nothing compared to a total knee. My wife had it done 13 months ago and is doing great. But she was in serious pain for 2 weeks after. She had to take (under threats from the MD and therapists) percocets just to go to PT. Otherwise the pain would have been too much.

 

[maslex]

I had it done 3 years ago and walked out afterwards. I worked up to the day of the surgery. My Son had it done in high school after tearing it in wrestling. He wrestled up to the day of surgery and walked through a spread out high school campus and was back on the mat in 4 weeks. Can't imagine that you are not working because of this.

I'm a school bus driver and it's actually my left knee that is injured. So I can actually "physically" drive. It's just that I'm unable to do the stairs on the bus right now. And believe me, that first step is a doozy. But if for some reason the bus was in an accident and I had to get the kids off the bus in a hurry, I physically would not be able to do it. That's why I'm out of work for now. I'm not sure of other bus companies, but with the company that I work for, you're not allowed to come to work unless you can do your job at 100%. The doctor actually has me on "light duty" but where I work, there is no such thing. While I don't agree with that (I mean I COULD do a van run instead of the bus, which means I wouldn't have to do any stairs) but they don't work that way. It really sucks.

 

[Art 1]

I'm a school bus driver and it's actually my left knee that is injured. So I can actually "physically" drive. It's just that I'm unable to do the stairs on the bus right now. And believe me, that first step is a doozy. But if for some reason the bus was in an accident and I had to get the kids off the bus in a hurry, I physically would not be able to do it. That's why I'm out of work for now. I'm not sure of other bus companies, but with the company that I work for, you're not allowed to come to work unless you can do your job at 100%. The doctor actually has me on "light duty" but where I work, there is no such thing. While I don't agree with that (I mean I COULD do a van run instead of the bus, which means I wouldn't have to do any stairs) but they don't work that way. It really sucks.

I'm surprised that yours was not done already. After our MRI's were read we scheduled surgery for the next opening. Once you get your tear repaired you'll be fine. I was nervous as well. But it's quick. I knew right away that my knee was better. Good luck, you will be good to go. I was in a lot of pain before hand. The surgeon said it was like walking with broken glass in the knee.

 

[J3nn78]

I had the surgery last January. I found out about my tear in October when running was becoming increasingly painful. I was training for a full marathon, so I put off the surgery until after the marathon and ran (quite painfully) but I was not about to throw away almost a year of training.

1 important bit of info to get from your doctor is whether or not he plans to repair or removed the damaged part.

If he removes the damaged part, the recovery is MUCH faster and easier. I had the removal and I was walking and back to work( a teacher and on my feet all day) 1 day later. I went to a few weeks of therapy and was 100% and able to run again within 2 months.

The repair of the tear is a much longer recovery. It requires no weight bearing for 6 weeks and more therapy. And it carries greater risk of tearing again.

I had my doubts about the surgery, but it was the best thing I could have done. I have no more knee pain at all 14 months later. I can go up and down stairs and hills just fine. Going down either was always so painful before.

Good luck

 

[Mom3girls]

So after surgery, you're still required to go to PT? I'm assuming I'd still be out of work for a while after surgery?

What about stairs? If he can do stairs, how long after surgery? That's my biggest issue right now.

He started therapy about one week after his surgery. You have to wait til the swelling goes down and they remove the stitches. He still goes 3xs a week and is "sore" after therapy. I think this is because it was a workman's comp claim and they waited sooo long to get the MRI done and schedule the surgery. He injured it a few days after Thanksgiving and surgery was done Jan 26th. He has been going to therapy and has been on light duty since he was injured. He works for the phone company and has to be physically able to climb up the telephone poles and work down in the manholes in a squatting position for hours on end. He goes back to the doctor on March 29th. He can't WAIT to go back to doing his normal routine!

He was able to use the stairs from day one and it wasn't easy the first few days after surgery. He had to keep the knee straight so that he did not tear the inscision (???).

I forgot to add that he was out of work for an entire month after surgery. Not because he thought he couldn't work but because he was at risk of getting injured further if his knee didn't perform properly and the company would be liable if he got injured or he injured someone else.

 

[maslex]

I had the surgery last January. I found out about my tear in October when running was becoming increasingly painful. I was training for a full marathon, so I put off the surgery until after the marathon and ran (quite painfully) but I was not about to throw away almost a year of training.

1 important bit of info to get from your doctor is whether or not he plans to repair or removed the damaged part.

If he removes the damaged part, the recovery is MUCH faster and easier. I had the removal and I was walking and back to work( a teacher and on my feet all day) 1 day later. I went to a few weeks of therapy and was 100% and able to run again within 2 months.

The repair of the tear is a much longer recovery. It requires no weight bearing for 6 weeks and more therapy. And it carries greater risk of tearing again.

I had my doubts about the surgery, but it was the best thing I could have done. I have no more knee pain at all 14 months later. I can go up and down stairs and hills just fine. Going down either was always so painful before.

Good luck

Thanks for that info. I still have a couple days before seeing the DR again but if he does suggest surgery, I'll definately ask him what he plans on doing. Sounds like getting it removed is a better option.