Torn Lateral Miniscus (knee)

[-SD-]

Looks like ive got a torn lateral miniscus, but not that bad because i can still run several miles without any problem but it cant heal on its own and requires surgery, from what the Dr. said. Anyone here have this problem before and what was your experience with the surgery and afterwards? Did you gain 100% use again?

 

[Johnny_Whoops]

Tore meniscus in both knees. Two tears in my left knee. I can squat, deadlift and get around, but if I step funny on uneven ground or try to cut laterally (side to side), fugetta bout it....it kills. It's been years since my last surgery. I basically had to give up rugby and even touch football. I can build the muscles up around the knee joint, but sadly, the joint itself is just not the same anymore. They may have trimmed to much out. Even still, physical sports will further wear the meniscus and lead to early arthritis. I don't ski anymore or snowboard. It sucks but I have to roll with it.

 

[Y_lifter]

yea, its pretty easy surgery(scope) and recovery, and you will get back pretty much to 100% if the tear is small and they don't take much out. But also realize that they are removing part of the cushioning and stability of the knee joint. So you may notice it occasionally relative to whoops post with torsion and stability with some moves. Leaving the tear as is can cause additional internal damage and knee lockups. And a tear will spread and get longer over time, whereas the repaired area should not.

 

[-SD-]

yea, its pretty easy surgery(scope) and recovery, and you will get back pretty much to 100% if the tear is small and they don't take much out. But also realize that they are removing part of the cushioning and stability of the knee joint. So you may notice it occasionally relative to whoops post with torsion and stability with some moves. Leaving the tear as is can cause additional internal damage and knee lockups. And a tear will spread and get longer over time, whereas the repaired area should not.

I can afford surgery for maybe another year because of shitty insurance. At this point I can run 4 miles without any problems and lift weights. Will I create more injury if I continue with these activities or do I have to stop cold until surgery or rehab is available?

 

[Johnny_Whoops]

My problems were that my knees were "locking" in the bent position. What is called a bucket handle tear due to it's shape (horseshoe) was flapping around and getting lodged in the knee joint, causing my knee to lock. I literally had to have someone pull my leg straight to "pop" it back into place. You could pyhsically hear the pop and the closer to straight I got it, the more pain until it would release. It BLEW. I had no choice because it started happening more frequently..all of a sudden you turn your knee and BAM your on your ass. My friends knew how to deal with it, but on a wrestling mat or rugby pitch? I was a mess. Sounds like you are not that far along with the tear. Certainly, pounding like running and especially and lateral cutting motion or strain on the knee (push/pulling) with further increase that tear. Just go easy on it. Nothing helped me...braces, knee wraps...nothing could contain that locking. HONESTLY, I wouldn't run anymore. Walk or at a minimum, use the eliptical. Did they "scope" your knee (go inside with a camera and poke around without trimming or fixing)? Usually the tears dont show so well with MRIs. They go inside and discover more than they thought they had on their hands.

 

[muscelove]

ive got a torn medial. I cant run. Id say that if youre able to run 4 miles youre fine. dont bother.
Theres nothing that surgery cant make worse.

Im opting for surgery because i cant squat or run

 

[-SD-]

My problems were that my knees were "locking" in the bent position. What is called a bucket handle tear due to it's shape (horseshoe) was flapping around and getting lodged in the knee joint, causing my knee to lock. I literally had to have someone pull my leg straight to "pop" it back into place. You could pyhsically hear the pop and the closer to straight I got it, the more pain until it would release. It BLEW. I had no choice because it started happening more frequently..all of a sudden you turn your knee and BAM your on your ass. My friends knew how to deal with it, but on a wrestling mat or rugby pitch? I was a mess. Sounds like you are not that far along with the tear. Certainly, pounding like running and especially and lateral cutting motion or strain on the knee (push/pulling) with further increase that tear. Just go easy on it. Nothing helped me...braces, knee wraps...nothing could contain that locking. HONESTLY, I wouldn't run anymore. Walk or at a minimum, use the eliptical. Did they "scope" your knee (go inside with a camera and poke around without trimming or fixing)? Usually the tears dont show so well with MRIs. They go inside and discover more than they thought they had on their hands.

They didnt even do an MRI because my insurance wouldnt cover it and it was $800. The doc said he sees it all the time and based on his experieince it was a lateral miniscus tear until proven otherwise. He just wanted the MRI to confirm. BAsed on how I feel and what I can do and what you guys have said I dont think Im going to get any surgery.