Posted on 08/30/2012 8:41:50 AM PDT by IndyTiger
*Vanity post* I'm 55 years old, diagnosed with a torn meniscus cartilage on the inner right knee. Got injured playing ball about six months ago, slipped and fell running the bases.
I had the knee drained and got a cortisone shot a couple of months ago, but it started hurting again recently. Got an MRI where the diagnosis was made. Not sure yet of the extent of the tear, or if there is fraying of the meniscus also.
I am seeing an orthopedic surgeon and may possibly elect for arthroscopic surgery. Any FReepers have surgery for a torn meniscus? How long was the recovery? Any after effects?
Be thankful you didn’t tear your rotator cuff.
Had meniscus at 55 followed by ACL repair at 56. Odd are that I did in the last of my ACL a couple days after the meniscus repair by falling doing something stupid.
My advice?
1. Find the *best* surgeon you can - I can’t tell you how to do that but I don’t believe that they’re all alike.
2. Do NOT be by yourself after the surgery (like I did)- having someone at home with you is a MUST.
3. Rehab is key after ACL repair - after just a meniscus probably not so much but after any surgery your quads *will* atrophy and they *do* need to be built back up.
4. The knee is a cipher wrapped in a riddle wrapped in an enigma. You’ll feel all sorts of twinges, pains, clicks, pops and you won’t always be able to sort them out.
I have had this a few times. Once about 20 years ago, another about 6. The last one I did while walking out of a store at Disney World. Spent the rest of the trip in a wheel chair.
I was up and about in less than a week after the surgery. You have to do the therapy. Don’t try to take it easy. Get out and walk as much as you can.
When it is time, ask about Simvisc. WONDERFUL stuff. I have pretty severe arthritis in both my knees and it controls it wonderfully. No pain, no swelling. The boss even got me on a bicycle!
Twenty year career at a large hospital...we had an Orthopedic Surgeon named Fingeroff and a Urologist named Waters.We also had a Dr Couch who,sadly,wasn't a Psychiatrist
/johnny
I have had three....two on the left one on the right....they help..but you will never be back to what you were....and you probably will need another one every 10 years or so...until you have nothing left ..then a Knee replacement is next...that is in my future...go to a pro...the first day is great ..you are full of painkillers....the second day it kills you...then tapers off over the first week...after that you slowly get back to say 85%...you will never reach 100% again...I am an old hockey player..runner..bicycler..hiker..skier..first one at 32...last one at 52.....
couple months recovery, expect arthritis to develop.
I get the impression a torn meniscus is not that bad a thing to address, but I suppose it depends on just how badly it is torn.
I played hockey for 15 years, then got a bucket-handle tear of my medial meniscus while playing damned pickup volleyball. Go figure.
They just went in and removed the torn part, and years later, still feels good, but I am too nervous to ski, and couldn’t play hockey anymore.
In the waiting area they sat me in this morning there were a few magazines and a single paperback titled “Ambush” by Paul Carson, which seems to be about a doctor who becomes a vigilante killer.
I told my wife about the book (which i borrowed and have me) and said: Now watch, my doctor is going to turn out to be a killer and I will be fighting for my life in the operation room.
My wife said there is a really small chance that would happen but I reminded her that with me you have to add 100.
I guess everyone is different. My brother has always been active. He also has a high threshold for pain; so if he was having problems now, I would never hear about it. Now that he’s retired, he’s never home during the winter months. Always skiing. I think he has skied off every hill and mountain in the world.
You’re right about having a pro do the work. My brother’s surgeon was (or maybe still is?) the surgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the University of Pittsburgh sports teams. He probably could do this surgery in his sleep.
Had both knees done in my early 40’s. 6 weeks apart.
Follow thru with the physical therapy and you will be up and moving in no time.
No idea if my tear was as severe as yours but there is a possibility of a no-surgery option. Good Luck!
I was told by my orthopedist that if I were willing and patient enough to wait for one year, I might very well avoid the need for surgery. I waited it out and sure enough, the pain was gone and surgery not needed. I was in my late 60’s at the time.
I was 50 yrs old and I was carrying a 40 pound canoe and a 45 pound backpack. I fell on my right knee. I had the surgery...not arthroscopic, and it healed up nicely. I am 55 now and have no pain. I jog three times a week.
I’m currently on the DL due to knee pain, but the X-ray diagnosis was osteoarthritis. Doc (GP) said rest it, take prednisone a week, then get back to range-of-motion stetches gradually and lay off the b-ball for a couple of weeks. If it doesn’t improve to an occasional twinge in another week I’ll consider a visit to the ortho specialist.
Probably...'cuz that while people join the military. /s
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