topic Re: Has Anyone Had Knee Meniscus Repair? in Wellness

Has Anyone Had Knee Meniscus Repair?

pattypeep — Sun, 15 May 2016 14:46:33 GMT

Been in awful pain and limping around for a couple of months. Doctor said he believes I have torn the knee meniscus. After the MRI, we will discuss options. Sounds like a pretty simple procedure with minimal recovery time. Can anyone out there share their experience? (Man, it's awful getting old).

Re: Has Anyone Had Knee Meniscus Repair?

henderson — Sun, 15 May 2016 15:04:21 GMT

I had a severely torn menicus and had same day surgery. Went to PT for about a month and had to do exercises at home. Compared to my bunion surgery (2 feet at a time) it wasn't so bad. Unfortunately, about a year later I had to have a knee replacement on the same knee -- that was the worse surgery I've ever had (also had 2 C-sections) -- had to have a blood transfusion and be in rehab for a year. Don't be afraid of having the surgery -- as long as you follow up with PT and do what they say. The best to you!!

Re: Has Anyone Had Knee Meniscus Repair?

jerseygirly — Sun, 15 May 2016 15:07:18 GMT

I have s slight tear in the meniscus. Had a shot end of last yr and it lasted bout 3 months, then had a 2nd shot. From what I have read, some have said not to let them cut the meniscus tissue to repair/clean it. That it would be worse after the surgery because of arthritis that is there already and if the tissue is removed from that area then you will have bone against bone,so I am leary about that. Goggle meniscus surgery. I have been taking Alieve as its starting to hurt again.

Re: Has Anyone Had Knee Meniscus Repair?

gidgetgh — Sun, 15 May 2016 15:11:54 GMT

I had meniscus surgery several years ago (8 years ago I think) on my right knee. I was in hideous pain beforehand. I thought the surgery day would never get here. When I finally got settled in the pre-op bed I was positively giddy because it meant I didn't have to try to walk with the hideous pain anymore.

For me, the surgery was easy and very quick. My surgeon said I was under anesthesia for 22 minutes which shocked me. He said the tear in my meniscus was "pretty nasty". I woke up and was alert immediately and was in recovery for about 20-30 minutes and then my husband and I drove home and picked up take out dinner on the way. I had it done on a Wednesday or Thursday. I had to wear the compression stocking thing, which drove me nuts, till Sunday morning.

I only had to take one pain pill and I'm not sure I really even needed that, but I was afraid I would have pain if I didn't. Physical therapy a couple times a week for 6 weeks I think. The PT was essential.

I hope you get some relief soon.

Re: Has Anyone Had Knee Meniscus Repair?

pattypeep — Sun, 15 May 2016 16:46:46 GMT

@henderson Hi. I was told on the same visit that I will ultimately need a full knee replacement down the road. Bone on bone in the right knee and starting to close on the left. Ugh. My friend had two knee replacements at different times and the recovery was awful for her and she's a tough cookie. I don't look forward to that. I'm hoping with the meniscus repair, I can get by with my knees until I don't need them anymore. Thank you for your reply.

Re: Has Anyone Had Knee Meniscus Repair?

pattypeep — Sun, 15 May 2016 16:49:30 GMT

@jerseygirly. This is something that I want to discuss in full with the Dr. before we do anything. The pain has become almost intolerable, so I really don't think I can put the surgery off. But I will have plenty of questions for the Dr. Thank you for your reply.

Re: Has Anyone Had Knee Meniscus Repair?

pattypeep — Sun, 15 May 2016 16:51:14 GMT

@gidgetgh. Thank you for your reply. Your comment has relieved me somewhat. I read about the process on the internet and it was similar to what you expressed. I'm glad yours went well.

Re: Has Anyone Had Knee Meniscus Repair?

Snowpuppy — Sun, 15 May 2016 16:52:36 GMT

After an MRI my dr said I have an extruded meniscus in one knee. Being pushed out of place by osteo arthritis.

Some of what I read was that those who opted for surgery were no better off than those who went for only pt if it's not a major tear.

Self care has been 800mg ibuprofen, soaking in a hot epsom salts bath, some warming essential oils and a muscle/pain cream.

When the ibuprofen no longer works, we'll get to injectables but very costly and only work for about 1/2 of those that try them

Re: Has Anyone Had Knee Meniscus Repair?

pattypeep — Sun, 15 May 2016 17:52:14 GMT

@Snowpuppy. Good to know that is a possibility. The MRI will show where the x-ray did not. Thank you for the heads up.

Re: Has Anyone Had Knee Meniscus Repair?

ANewHue — Sun, 15 May 2016 18:25:41 GMT

@pattypeep. I had severe pain in my knee and after it was diagnosed as a torn meniscus I had surgery . Surgery went well but about three weeks after I couldn't move. Started going to PT as the doctor suspected bursitis in my hip. After being in severe pain for several months I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

Re: Has Anyone Had Knee Meniscus Repair?

pattypeep — Sun, 15 May 2016 18:29:04 GMT

@ANewHue wrote:
@pattypeep. I had severe pain in my knee and after it was diagnosed as a torn meniscus I had surgery . Surgery went well but about three weeks after I couldn't move. Started going to PT as the doctor suspected bursitis in my hip. After being in severe pain for several months I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

I'm so sorry, @ANewHue. We can only hope to feel much better after a procedure of any kind, then to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia is awful. I've had bursitis in my hip and it was very painful as I recall. I hope your pain will be manageable. <3

Re: Has Anyone Had Knee Meniscus Repair?

Gooday — Sun, 15 May 2016 18:42:42 GMT

I had 2 meniscal tears in my left knee 2 years ago. One vertically and one medially diagnosed with MRI. I suffered for over a month, had a cortisone injection and no relief. 2 months later I had a partial meniscectomy and when my surgeon saw me a few days later, he told me my knee was loaded with arthritis and that I had a discoid meniscus which is uncommon.
As for therapy.. He showed me quads exercises and said that's what therapy would show me
I will say I had a significant delay in my recovery because the O.R. nurse applied the thigh tourniquet TOO tight cutting off the blood supply. It hurt worse than heck! I also developed right hip bursitis because of compensating for the left knee pain.
I still have some stiffness but no pain.

Re: Has Anyone Had Knee Meniscus Repair?

PINKdogWOOD — Sun, 15 May 2016 19:57:22 GMT

@pattypeep There have been many here who had this surgery incluing me about 4-5 yrs ago. My MRI showed a couple of tears in my right knee that I fell down on, one was a fairly bad tear.

My surgeon was great, absolutely knows his stuff. I went in early for out patient, was put under. He told me exactly what he would do ie made 3 itsy 'x' cuts, do laser to repair and he cleaned out the arthritis in that knee too while he was there.

I walked out with crutches (if you have a pr, definitely take them or if you know someone with, borrow them, you'll need them). Hubby was there with me the entire time. Hospital staff in out patient was fab too. It was kind of humorous - all of us patients there, lined up for the same surgery done by a few different drs.

Had a BIG ole bandage around my knee when I left, had to keep that one on, knee wrapped for a week, then I could take it off. First week I applied an ice pack for any swelling but there really wasn't any, no pain afterwards either. I did not take any prescription pain meds either, only aspirin if I needed it. I was off work for 5-6 wks, they're pretty strict about that. Did a couple of wks of PT afterwards for full access range of motion. Felt great. Knee stills feels good, saw Dr (surgeon) 6 wks later - he was pleased as he should have been. Very quick, simple out patient.

Good luck, get it done, don't worry about it - nothing to it, piece of cake - and you'll soon be back walking with no pain attached.

Re: Has Anyone Had Knee Meniscus Repair?

geegerbee — Sun, 15 May 2016 20:32:27 GMT

When I had bone on bone, I had a knee replacement. Had it on Monday. Went home on Thursday. Was recovered in about 2 weeks. Had PT. No problems since and that was 4 yrs ago. Every one I talked to said they were sorry they had waited so long and they should have had it done sooner. If you are down to bone on bone already, I would just go for the whole replacement.

Re: Has Anyone Had Knee Meniscus Repair?

pattypeep — Sun, 15 May 2016 20:59:22 GMT

@PINKdogWOOD. Thank you so much ~ what good news. I'm so happy that yours was a good outcome. Due to the pain, I'm more than ready to go for it.

Re: Has Anyone Had Knee Meniscus Repair?

henderson — Sun, 15 May 2016 22:28:03 GMT

When I posted about my knee replacement, I made a mistake! Meant to say "in rehab for a week" not a year.

Re: Has Anyone Had Knee Meniscus Repair?

PINKdogWOOD — Mon, 16 May 2016 00:38:04 GMT

@pattypeep Yes, so was I. from the time i had my fall to the day I had my surgery was about one month, not much longer. I knew about a day or so later that something was very wrong. My knee puffed up and HURT. Things moved quickly from start to finish - seeing my PCP, having my xrays & MRI to really confirm how bad my tears were, being hooked up with the right surgeon, scheduling, in/out DONE.

Don't hold back, get your results, get scheduled and feel better. FAST!

Re: Has Anyone Had Knee Meniscus Repair?

jpie — Tue, 17 May 2016 03:14:03 GMT

@pattypeep

I had both my right and then left meniscus repaired about twenty + years ago. I had damaged them from over-training and doing two marathons back-to-back in two years.

I have had great success and I am now 57 years old. I lift weights every other day and do cardio almost every day. I no longer use the treadmill, but different types of ellipticals, rowing machines, and bikes.

I protect my knees and take Andrew Lessman's Maximum Joint Effort supplements, along with his Marine Peptide Collagen and my knees are doing great!

having my knees scoped and repaired was a great relief! No more swelling and pain. I do have osteoarthritis, but it is very manageable.

Re: Has Anyone Had Knee Meniscus Repair?

kismet — Thu, 19 May 2016 07:19:35 GMT

i HAD TWO MENISCUS REPAIRS ON THE SAME KNEE AND THE FIRST ONE I HAD A LOT OF PAIN AND THE SECOND TIME AROUND IT WAS BETTER BUT I DEVELOPED ARTHRITIS WITHIN A FEW YEARS AND HAD A TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT. I FOUND THAT THE KNEE REPLACEMENT WAS MUCH EASIER TO DEAL WITH AND I HAD LESS PAIN. DID PT FOR 3 MONTHS AND THINGS WERE FINE. I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD TERRIBLE PAIN AND RESULTS FROM KNEE REPLACEMENT BUT MINE WASN'T BAD AT ALL. I WENT IN POSITIVE AND I THINK MY DOCTORS EVEN WERE SURPRISED I DID SO WELL. THEY DID TELL ME THAT KNEE REPLACMENT WASN'T A WALK IN THE PARK. IT WAS MUCH BETTER THAN THE MENISCUS REPAIR.

I JUST SAW ON TV THE PAST WEEK WHERE NOW INSTEAD OF CLEANING THE MENISCUS THE DOCTOR SEWED IT AND REPAIRED IT AND THE RESULTS WERE A LOT BETTER. GUESS IT ALL DEPENDS ON HOW BAD THE TEAR IS. ONCE THE MENISCUS IS CLEANED AND THERE IS NOTHING THERE THE ARTHRITIS SETS IN.