[Banners24b]

Looks like I have a torn meniscus in my left knee, MRI scan will confirm what the consultant thinks.

Anyone else had this and repair surgery? If so what length of time can I expect out of action.

[SpaceGreyOnBlack]

Originally Posted by Banners24b

Looks like I have a torn meniscus in my left knee, MRI scan will confirm what the consultant thinks.

Anyone else had this and repair surgery? If so what length of time can I expect out of action.

Sorry to hear!

Depending on what management route used, you should expect to be out of action for approx 4-6 weeks. (6 if decided to manage conservatively)

If you want a more accurate answer its worth discussing it with your consultant.

Best of luck with your recovery!

[Banners24b]

Ok thats actually alot better than I thought, suppose its a subjective thing depending on the exact state of damage but in my head I had 4months.

[whateva411]

was it a bucket handle tear or a smaller tear?

[Banners24b]

Bucket Handle

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by Banners24b

Looks like I have a torn meniscus in my left knee, MRI scan will confirm what the consultant thinks.

Anyone else had this and repair surgery? If so what length of time can I expect out of action.

Do you know if its medial (inner) or lateral (outer) meniscus?

Also, how do you think that you have torn it?

Any sports?

Recovery period mentioned by SpaceGreyonBlack is what theory states.

In practice, it depends on your pre-injury fitness level, approach of treatment, your requirement in professional sports decide how long you are off from a game (if you do one)?

Your consultant will tell you generic recovery time but your physio will work with you till you can pay the bills or get recovered (whichever comes first).

Hope its not biggie and you recover soon.

[skelts]

As mentioned above 4-6 weeks. It will only be key hole surgery which is pretty straight forward. You will most likely be made to walk out and will have basic exercises to get your range of motion back from day 1. It should not effect you in the future in any sports if it is your first one. I've had 4 and still play a good level of sport.

Hope you recover soon.

[whateva411]

Originally Posted by Banners24b

Bucket Handle

im guessing you probably play football?
bucket tear is the bigger tear and quite common in footballers.
you will probably be mobile after 6 weeks but will be difficult to get back into intensive sports!

[Banners24b]

I play 5 aside once a week and tennis 5 time a week. I've been to see two different ppl about it as been out of action for 5 weeks now. The physio I saw today seemed very certain it's the outer meniscus and a bucket tear. But said an MRI will confirm. But he would be very very surprised if it wasn't that from the various tests (pushing and pulling type ones)

Obvs nothing is 100% until the MRI but all the info I've read and from what the physio says seems to match perfectly with my symtoms

[col2611]

I tore medial (inner) meniscus last June, NHS dragged their feet and I finally had keyhole surgery mid November. I was back in work 6 weeks later (Gas Engineer), although I was on a reduced workload for a few weeks. I use the gym 4-5 times a week and do quite a lot of cycling (great for knee recovery) so my fitness before was quite good.

I would say my knee is 99% ok now.
Just the odd time it's a little stiff/painful. But I have full range of movement and can run, cycle, jump, squat, lunge.

When your recovering you will feel like there isn't light at the end of the tunnel, it's small things that you take for granted like crossing a road, you have to use a crossing or wait until it's totally clear because you can't jog across, really frustrating for me (no signal crossings between home and the nearest shop)

Good luck with your MRI scan, hopefully you will have a speedy recovery.

[gangzoom]

One of my mates is about to become qualified orthopaedic consultant, he currently does a lot of key hole knee surgery for meniscus tears....He is very upfront about the fact key hole survey offers no real advantages compared to good physio, and key hole surgery is his bread and butter (METEOR trial).

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by gangzoom

One of my mates is about to become qualified orthopaedic consultant, he currently does a lot of key hole knee surgery for meniscus tears....He is very upfront about the fact key hole survey offers no real advantages compared to good physio, and key hole surgery is his bread and butter (METEOR trial).

+1
Some consultants send you for physiotherapy for 6 months if its a minor tear.
And as mentioned, people recover.

OP, it is very difficult to tear lateral (outer) meniscus. I doubt that its mensicus.
Also, if two ligaments are torn, most of the test give you false result.

Good luck though.

[dobbo99]

my advice would be not to rush anything post op. you'll probably see quite a rapid improvement 3 to 4 weeks after surgery, and think you can start doing this and that.
just dont!
take your time, let everything settle, give yourself 6-8weeks doing the menial exercises that the physios will give you. you will be frustrated, but you'll thank yourself for it in a few months.

[Banners24b]

Cheers all,

Like I say not 100% confirmed yet but looking likely as have now seen two specialists who think the same thing.

As I play alot of sport I'd rather go for the 6-8 weeks surgery option than the physio repair option as the last few weeks has been hell when trying to play Tennis with one leg!

I'd take 8 weeks out if it means a return to full fitness

[Banners24b]

Been for an MRI today, follow up tomorrow but my Physio has a copy and looks like the meniscus tear is confirmed! dammit!

Side on shot of my MRI scan - quite cool to look through your knee!

[bmwmike]

I would suggest you try Prolotherapy. I had a tear too but from snowshoe running and was in great pain and tried this for 4 injections spaced out over 5 weeks apiece and avoided surgery. I had two surgeons that said i needed surgery and were shocked i didn't after this. It cost me $145 cdn each injection by a Naturopathic Dr.
It's only a sugar injection, so you have nothing to loose and can stop after the first injection if you see no positive results. If you do try it, just be aware that your knee will swell from it and you should have someone drive you home.

Mike