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Surgery to repair torn meniscus

BeccaNole72

BeccaNole72

Contributor
Mar 23, 2005
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Miami, Florida
Has anyone in the LR had surgery to repair a torn meniscus?

I apparently tore my meniscus while I was in Italy a month ago.

Background: I was visiting the ruins near the colosseum in Rome and my foot got stuck in between two uneven rocks while I was focusing on taking a picture (I’m a clutz). In order for me to not falll on my face I pivoted in a way where my leg stayed stuck in the hole and in doing so I twisted my leg in a way where I heard a pop in my knee and felt pain. Just thought I “twisted” my knee and kept on walking on it. This was at the first part of the trip so we walked A LOT afterwards.

Pain got worse and my knee was swollen like a grapefruit. Tried to ice it every chance I had and took Motrin. Three days later we are in Florence and I went to get something off the floor so I squatted down to get it. Heard a louder pop and my knee gave out. Hurt so bad but I didn’t want to be a party popper and ruin the trip for the family. I just hobbled and limped behind never complaining (or trying to show how much pain I was in).

We went to London for a week after a Italy and that is when I finally couldn’t handle the walking any more. We did whatever we could close to the tube stops. I didn’t want to see a doctor there and waited until I got home.

Got into see a Ortho doc and he did an MRI and there was a tear in the meniscus. He and the Ortho surgeon agreed that the way it’s torn it’s not a simple case of doing PT for a month and see how it goes. I cannot put any weight on it and cannot bend it or extend it all the way and it gives way and also locks and the pain is still there.

So that is why I am having surgery on Wednesday. If not I have to wait until late August and I want to get it done before school starts.

So with ALL THAT being said (sorry for the long story) has anyone had this kind of surgery and if so how were you afterwards? Did you have any issues afterwards? I know it’s a simple arthroscopic procedure but wondering how your outcome was. Any more knee issues afterward?

He said that depending on what he finds in there and how he repairs it I can come out with two outcomes: 1) I am on my feet again in two days and begin post op PT on Friday or 2) if he has to suture and put the meniscus back to how it was the it’s 4-6 weeks in an full leg brace and crutches.

Would love to hear from others who had a similar experience. Thanks!
 
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I have known you for years, and I never knew you had knees.....

tenor.gif
 
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I tore mine (right knee) May 2017. Had surgery in July. Surgery was a snap but the PT was a chore. Four weeks. That said, I can do everything I did before except run, which is fine because that was rare anyway. I still walk 7+ miles a day and have no pain. Also, get a GOOD ice pack. It will be your best friend. This is the one my PT used and recommended.

Chattanooga ColPac Reusable Gel Ice Pack Cold Therapy for Back, Thigh/Quad, Hamstring, Shoulder for Aches, Swelling, Bruises, Sprains, Inflammation (12.5"x18.5"). Amazon for $18.95.

It's big but perfect for me. I have an extra refrigerator so I keep it in that freezer all the time. Comes in handy. I've been using it to reduce swelling for another surgery I had last week. Feel free to ask me anything else and good luck. I literally feel your pain.
 
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BeccaNole72 said:
Has anyone in the LR had surgery to repair a torn meniscus?

I apparently tore my meniscus while I was in Italy a month ago.

Background: I was visiting the ruins near the colosseum in Rome and my foot got stuck in between two uneven rocks while I was focusing on taking a picture (I’m a clutz). In order for me to not falll on my face I pivoted in a way where my leg stayed stuck in the hole and in doing so I twisted my leg in a way where I heard a pop in my knee and felt pain. Just thought I “twisted” my knee and kept on walking on it. This was at the first part of the trip so we walked A LOT afterwards.

Pain got worse and my knee was swollen like a grapefruit. Tried to ice it every chance I had and took Motrin. Three days later we are in Florence and I went to get something off the floor so I squatted down to get it. Heard a louder pop and my knee gave out. Hurt so bad but I didn’t want to be a party popper and ruin the trip for the family. I just hobbled and limped behind never complaining (or trying to show how much pain I was in).

We went to London for a week after a Italy and that is when I finally couldn’t handle the walking any more. We did whatever we could close to the tube stops. I didn’t want to see a doctor there and waited until I got home.

Got into see a Ortho doc and he did an MRI and there was a tear in the meniscus. He and the Ortho surgeon agreed that the way it’s torn it’s not a simple case of doing PT for a month and see how it goes. I cannot put any weight on it and cannot bend it or extend it all the way and it gives way and also locks and the pain is still there.

So that is why I am having surgery on Wednesday. If not I have to wait until late August and I want to get it done before school starts.

So with ALL THAT being said (sorry for the long story) has anyone had this kind of surgery and if so how were you afterwards? Did you have any issues afterwards? I know it’s a simple arthroscopic procedure but wondering how your outcome was. Any more knee issues afterward?

He said that depending on what he finds in there and how he repairs it I can come out with two outcomes: 1) I am on my feet again in two days and begin post op PT on Friday or 2) if he has to suture and put the meniscus back to how it was the it’s 4-6 weeks in an full leg brace and crutches.

Would love to hear from others who had a similar experience. Thanks!
Click to expand...

The 2 outcomes that you described are pretty spot on:
1. There isn’t actually a repair done. The doc will trim some of the meniscus and clean it up with a arthroscopic shaver. Back on your feet in a couple days.
2. An actual repair where you have to be non-weight bearing for approximately 4 weights to allow the repair to heal.
The percentage of meniscal repairs done is pretty low mostly due to the lack of good blood flow to the meniscus. There are 3 “zones” of the meniscus with regards to blood flow and that usually dictates if the surgeon will attempt to repair the tear.
 
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I've had two on each knee. All were scoped. I have almost no cartilage in my right knee. Neither knee bothers me much, though my right knee audibly cracks sometimes when I get up out of a chair.

My son had his knee scoped to remove a chunk that was floating around. The recovery was about 3 weeks.
 
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BeccaNole72 said:
Has anyone in the LR had surgery to repair a torn meniscus?

I apparently tore my meniscus while I was in Italy a month ago.

Background: I was visiting the ruins near the colosseum in Rome and my foot got stuck in between two uneven rocks while I was focusing on taking a picture (I’m a clutz). In order for me to not falll on my face I pivoted in a way where my leg stayed stuck in the hole and in doing so I twisted my leg in a way where I heard a pop in my knee and felt pain. Just thought I “twisted” my knee and kept on walking on it. This was at the first part of the trip so we walked A LOT afterwards.

Pain got worse and my knee was swollen like a grapefruit. Tried to ice it every chance I had and took Motrin. Three days later we are in Florence and I went to get something off the floor so I squatted down to get it. Heard a louder pop and my knee gave out. Hurt so bad but I didn’t want to be a party popper and ruin the trip for the family. I just hobbled and limped behind never complaining (or trying to show how much pain I was in).

We went to London for a week after a Italy and that is when I finally couldn’t handle the walking any more. We did whatever we could close to the tube stops. I didn’t want to see a doctor there and waited until I got home.

Got into see a Ortho doc and he did an MRI and there was a tear in the meniscus. He and the Ortho surgeon agreed that the way it’s torn it’s not a simple case of doing PT for a month and see how it goes. I cannot put any weight on it and cannot bend it or extend it all the way and it gives way and also locks and the pain is still there.

So that is why I am having surgery on Wednesday. If not I have to wait until late August and I want to get it done before school starts.

So with ALL THAT being said (sorry for the long story) has anyone had this kind of surgery and if so how were you afterwards? Did you have any issues afterwards? I know it’s a simple arthroscopic procedure but wondering how your outcome was. Any more knee issues afterward?

He said that depending on what he finds in there and how he repairs it I can come out with two outcomes: 1) I am on my feet again in two days and begin post op PT on Friday or 2) if he has to suture and put the meniscus back to how it was the it’s 4-6 weeks in an full leg brace and crutches.

Would love to hear from others who had a similar experience. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Torn meniscus hurts like heck I'm sorry for your painful trip. I had something similar happen on a trip out west which got unforgettably worse when I climbed the Astoria Tower.

The surgery went well and I recovered pretty quickly but then after 20 years the combination of less meniscus and arthritis led to bone-on-bone so last summer I had a full knee replacement and then this spring I had the other knee replaced. I'm glad I got on with it my mobility is much improved.

Good luck!
 
Had mine "repaired" as a junior in high school as a result of a football injury. Granted I was much younger but I was back to using my leg to drive within 2 days (manual transmission). Rehab took about 4-6 weeks and other than some occasional aching these days, I haven't experienced any issues. Hope all goes well.
 
Thanks for all the input so far. Not looking forward to therapy.

The chance for arthritis later on concerns me but it need to be done. I am still in pain even after draining my knee and a cortisone shot to hold me over.

Guess I brought home one painful and expensive souvenir back from Italy! o_O
 
Try to stay away from cortisone shots if you can. Some studies have shown they aren't good long term for tendons.
 
Finance85 said:
Try to stay away from cortisone shots if you can. Some studies have shown they aren't good long term for tendons.
Click to expand...

It was just one shot to get me through to the surgery due to the pain. Didn't do much anyway. They also took almost two tubes full of fluid from my knee when I went to the first specialist once I got back into town who determined it was a torn meniscus.
 
If you get ND tickets but can't go due to this surgery I'll gladly take them. My brother(Nole) is a doctor in Jacksonville and had that surgery due to a ski injury early last year. His recovery took over two months but he's back to playing golf as badly as ever. Good luck!
 
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BeccaNole72 said:
Dr. Hommen his office is at Baptist but I’m having it done at Miami Surgical Center because Baptist kills you with the cost of doing to there.
Click to expand...

You're in good hands.

BeccaNole72 said:
Not looking forward to therapy.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, post-op surgery is very rarely painless, but PT doesn't have to mean pain and torture. Along with meds, the best thing you can do afterward to manage pain is control swelling and find ways in incorporate gentle movement around the ankle and hip. Good luck.
 
noleit said:
If you get ND tickets but can't go due to this surgery I'll gladly take them. My brother(Nole) is a doctor in Jacksonville and had that surgery due to a ski injury early last year. His recovery took over two months but he's back to playing golf as badly as ever. Good luck!
Click to expand...

I guess I have to wait to see what he finds when he gets in there and how in depth he has to go. I will do whatever I can to go the the game even if my friends need to push me in a wheel chair. :Face with Tears of Joy
 
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riseboi said:
You're in good hands.

I hear he is one of the best. Lucky I was able to get in with him so quickly. I see you are in Miami Beach do you know of him?


Unfortunately, post-op surgery is very rarely painless, but PT doesn't have to mean pain and torture. Along with meds, the best thing you can do afterward to manage pain is control swelling and find ways in incorporate gentle movement around the ankle and hip. Good luck.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I hear he is one of the best. Lucky I was able to get in with him so quickly. I see you are in Miami Beach do you know of him? I want to try and avoid taking too many pain meds. Hommen wanted me to have my first PT session scheduled for Friday (48 hours after).
 
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Tore mine in 93...along with an ACL tear...Repaired the ACL and just shaved down the meniscus....no real issues after the surgery but now nearing 50....any significant cardio (treadmill or bike) and I'm reaching for the motrin..mostly walking and elliptical now
 
Derwin James was out for the year, that's all I know,
 
I had a "bucket handle" torn meniscus. Lived with it for many years. Came a point I needed surgery. Surgeon removed the "handle". Was on crutches a day or two then gimped around. Took a year or so to get full flexibility back. Without that cushion, my knee tires easier.
 
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Good luck on your surgery Becca...please keep us updated on your progress.
 
I also had a "Bucket Handle" tear of my left meniscus, along with a torn ACL. I started home PT the day after surgery. After a couple of weeks, I was then able to drive my car, had a manual tranny, to the PT clinic.

Within 9 months I was running full speed while playing football. I suspect your pain level and rehab process/recovery time will be about a tenth of what mine was, and this was in the 90s. Things have really advanced since then.

Good luck, Becca.
 
Good luck, Becca. I've had multiple surgeries that included meniscus work. I no longer have a meniscus in one knee. Are they starting with arthroscopic? If they can repair it that way, it usually isn't a big deal. If they have to open you up and do more major repair, then it could be a significant rehab period.
 
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