I have a severely torn meniscus muscle and bone chips in my knee from the accident. The Doctor told me today that he doesn’t know how I’m still walking with this injury. He suggested that I take off 4 weeks from my job. I’m trying to get an FMLA and hopefully will have that approved. Just wondering if anyone on here that played sports or had an accident ever had this medical problem. I know it’s not a sports related thread just asking.
Has Anyone Had This Surgery?
- Thread starter Whatsup
- Start date
FYI, the meniscus is not a muscle....its a very thin tissue and can be torn many simple ways, including a missed step. The bone chips are a whole different animal. YOu can live with a torn meniscus no problem, unless your job involves heavy lifting, running etc. Otherwise, icing, some rehab and rest will help for sure.
I played all of the sports, as the seasons changed, from the time I was about 7 years old, through high school, and then with lesser frequency as a young adult. In addition, during the summers of my youth, for about five years, I routinely walked 27 holes of golf a day, about 4-5 days a week -- and 36 holes in a day, not infrequently.
I'm now 72 years old. I had three arthroscopic surgeries to repair a torn minicus (two right; one left) before 2008. My knees finally became an increasing problem shortly after that. I had a double knee replacement on Nov 20, 2017.
They say - and it is true - that your knees "will tell you" when they need to be replaced. My knees started discussing that with me on a 2-week anniversary vacation to Europe in 2012. On the last two days of another 2-week anniversary vacation to Europe in 2017, my knees started SCREAMING at me -- "Replace us ! Replace us !" So I did.
Great result. I strongly recommend a knee replacement - and if both of them are really bad then I recommend a double knee replacement - yes … at the same time !
I'm now 72 years old. I had three arthroscopic surgeries to repair a torn minicus (two right; one left) before 2008. My knees finally became an increasing problem shortly after that. I had a double knee replacement on Nov 20, 2017.
They say - and it is true - that your knees "will tell you" when they need to be replaced. My knees started discussing that with me on a 2-week anniversary vacation to Europe in 2012. On the last two days of another 2-week anniversary vacation to Europe in 2017, my knees started SCREAMING at me -- "Replace us ! Replace us !" So I did.
Great result. I strongly recommend a knee replacement - and if both of them are really bad then I recommend a double knee replacement - yes … at the same time !
I tore meniscus and ACL simultaneously playing basketball.
Meniscus is far more painful and may create a "lock" of the knee when torn which is very painful.
I have a cadaver graft for my ACL....they just repaired meniscus as much as possible- cannot recall severity of tear but had to do a couple months of post-surgery PT before I could have surgery because they wanted me to be able to lay leg flat on table. I was at a 90° bend initially and couldn't flatten it out at all.
All is well now some 12 years later...
Meniscus is far more painful and may create a "lock" of the knee when torn which is very painful.
I have a cadaver graft for my ACL....they just repaired meniscus as much as possible- cannot recall severity of tear but had to do a couple months of post-surgery PT before I could have surgery because they wanted me to be able to lay leg flat on table. I was at a 90° bend initially and couldn't flatten it out at all.
All is well now some 12 years later...
Ocornett it’s called being old. Do it like the greatest generation and deal with it, stop crying. It’ll work out. Get some warm milk.
Or do it like the Boomers and take opioids.
Or do it like the Boomers and take opioids.
I feel for you, really do.
I had a knee replacement on March 25 of this year and without a doubt can say this has been the worst thing I have ever been through.
My knee was killing me. No way around no having this done. My knee cap was in pieces with bone spurs and at times it felt like someone was sticking a dull knife in the back of my knee.
For those who had a double knee replacement, you are one tough lucky dude. Mine has been pure hell.
From what my therapist and doctor tells me, listen to others but don't believe anything. Everyone is different and there are so many different types of knee replacement that no two people are alike.
I had to take my therapy without the use of pain medicine due to complications of getting sick and finding out I have a reaction to such types of medicine.
Best things I can tell you is make sure you have a great wife at home to help you; find a good therapist, maybe get into therapy before surgery; be prepared for some sleepless nights, buy extra ice packs, think about getting a recumbent bike for home, and most important, trust in the good Lord.
Good luck.
I had a knee replacement on March 25 of this year and without a doubt can say this has been the worst thing I have ever been through.
My knee was killing me. No way around no having this done. My knee cap was in pieces with bone spurs and at times it felt like someone was sticking a dull knife in the back of my knee.
For those who had a double knee replacement, you are one tough lucky dude. Mine has been pure hell.
From what my therapist and doctor tells me, listen to others but don't believe anything. Everyone is different and there are so many different types of knee replacement that no two people are alike.
I had to take my therapy without the use of pain medicine due to complications of getting sick and finding out I have a reaction to such types of medicine.
Best things I can tell you is make sure you have a great wife at home to help you; find a good therapist, maybe get into therapy before surgery; be prepared for some sleepless nights, buy extra ice packs, think about getting a recumbent bike for home, and most important, trust in the good Lord.
Good luck.
At 25, I had meniscus repair and played tennis 10 days later
I also was missing my ACL the Navy misdiagnosed when I was 21
I repaired my acl at 33 patellar tendon graph- played soccer w a brace 6 months later.
2003 scope showed no ACL again at 44.
I’m just going to wait for a replacement now.
You are officially welcomed to the “weather prediction group”
Take Motrin when fronts come through. It WILL swell some
And like blue fart said for exercise use an elliptical it’s shock free
I also was missing my ACL the Navy misdiagnosed when I was 21
I repaired my acl at 33 patellar tendon graph- played soccer w a brace 6 months later.
2003 scope showed no ACL again at 44.
I’m just going to wait for a replacement now.
You are officially welcomed to the “weather prediction group”
Take Motrin when fronts come through. It WILL swell some
And like blue fart said for exercise use an elliptical it’s shock free
Had a slight tear of it last year. Also found out I had a touch of arthritis in the knee.
Surgery took care of the tear and the doc scraped as much of the arthritis out as possible.
Took about six weeks for recovery.
It's not gonna heal on its on though.
Yes I have had 2 surgeries involving a torn meniscus. If you also have bone chips be sure and have them scan your knee for damage to your bone that may involve the bone marrow. Body fluid can leak into the bone marrow causing severe pain and swelling IN THE BONE. You’ll need a subcobdraplasty surgery. There is a SPECIAL scan that they do for only this problem. You have to ASK for it.
Torn meniscus at 48. Wasnt bad rehab for 3-4wks and back to normal. Just felt full in the joint for 6 months or so. 9 months and back to 100%. Good luck. Speedy recovery.
I’m a strong lover of opioids lol. The aftermath is the problem.
I'm in my early 70's, slipped off a ladder and tore my miniscus, also bone fragments. Surgery went fine but the pain never subsided, that was 4 years ago. Now looking at a knee replacement. Be sure you have them do a special scan for the bone spurs/fragments, if not you'll be looking at a knee replacement.
I thought you were going to ask about penis reduction surgery or something.
Yeah, I had that surgery back in February of 08. Surgeon said it was one of the worst tears he had ever seen.
I tore mine working on my mother-in-law's roof (that *****). Complete tear off and sheeting replacement. Took a week's vacation for that too.
Anyway, I spent all day every day with my legs folded tightly underneath me. I noticed on day 2 that I had an issue, but figured it would just go away. It didn't and I continued to play every sport imaginable on it. It would hurt like hell for a couple days, then wear off.
I had that pain in my knee for at least 10 years before my wife drug me in to have it looked at. Surgery was quick and easy, but it's still surgery. Which sucks.
Do the physical therapy, they told me I didn't have to, but that knee is definitely weaker than my right knee still.
Good luck
Don’t know anything about your surgery, but some posters above apparently do. Just wanted to give a little encouragement. I’m currently laid up from knee surgery, which I’ve talked about in another thread so I’ll leave it there. Just wanted to say good luck, and there’s gonna be good days and bad days, but you will get through it, hang in there. If you are married, i pray you have a wife as good as mine, without her support i couldn’t handle this. We can all look forward to football and basketball season for something to help us cope, so anyway, keep the faith, good luck.
In 1986.... I won't be much help. The surgery has held up though, thank the Lord.
I had continually worsening problems with my right knee (no injury) from playing sports, worked construction and worked on concrete for last 45+ years, until OTC meds were not working and I went to Ortho doc.
After x-rays showed bad arthritis in both knees (no MRI) and completed physical therapy for a month, my pain worsened.
Had MRI done that showed rt. knee had full (G-3) meniscus tear, so I was taken off work, scheduled for meniscus surgery (also smoothed bone edges), rest for a couple of weeks and then therapy for another month before returning to work.
I still fill some pain in same area of my knee (working 12.5 hour shifts) but not as bad, usually wear "K" tape (elastic kinesiology strips) which is the best joint support that I've ever used.
GOOD LUCK!!
After x-rays showed bad arthritis in both knees (no MRI) and completed physical therapy for a month, my pain worsened.
Had MRI done that showed rt. knee had full (G-3) meniscus tear, so I was taken off work, scheduled for meniscus surgery (also smoothed bone edges), rest for a couple of weeks and then therapy for another month before returning to work.
I still fill some pain in same area of my knee (working 12.5 hour shifts) but not as bad, usually wear "K" tape (elastic kinesiology strips) which is the best joint support that I've ever used.
GOOD LUCK!!
Tore my acl and meniscus playing adult league basketball. Had the surgery to correct it and tibia that I fractured too. The surgery wasn’t bad. The soreness after the first few days sucked. But I did everything the physical therapist said to do and have had no issues. Been 12 years now.
I’d like to thank all of you for your input. A lot of great information was provided by BBN members. I’ll post an update after the surgery. Getting old sucks but it’s better than the alternative.
As others have stated a meniscus tear is not a huge deal. I have a grade 2 tear and still play basketball on it without any really issue and have been for a year now (granted I’m 22). Those bone chips though...
The meniscus is cartilage that sits on top of the tibia and allows the knee to glide smoothly. The problem with a meniscal injury is the knee can become locked on the loose tissue and you are unable to extend the knee....this can happen at anytime after the injury occurs while that loose tissue is still in the knee. The foreign bodies are a problem because they can cause further damage within the knee. The surgery which is arthroscopic involves going in and removing the foreign bodies, then removing loose meniscal tissue and shaving down the remaining tissue until smooth. This tissue does not regenerate and cannot be replaced with cadaveric tissue as it is formed to the bone. This will help for awhile, but speeds along the process of natural wearing and puts you at greater risk, will develop significant osteoarthritis of that knee. That can be treated with NSAIDs(which regular long term use can lead to kidney problems, gi bleeding/ulcers, but are ok in shorter courses with good hydration), intrarticular steroid injections which help for varying amounts of time as well as other intrarticular injections which are memorizing measures. Ultimately, you will likely need a knee replacement down the road. Surgery for now though is a good idea, it won't get better on it's own.
Well now that's some good info. Not much good news in your information. I looked this up on the computer this morning and found the same information, so everything you just wrote was very true. This is just something I will have to deal with as I get older. I'm a realist and accept what life throws at me. I will deal with the rest of the stuff as it happens. Thank You, I appreciate that you took the time out of your day to post this info.
In 1999, at age 37, I suffered a SEVERE knee injury on a job site, (Fayette County Detention Center construction), thanks to one of the laborers. Basically, three different surgeons stated it was the single worst knee injury they had ever seen; everything was torn. Bone chips the size of nickels were floating in the subsequent swelling. Each said I would have been better off had my lower leg bones snapped. Several surgeries later, they finally gave up and gave me a total knee replacement. The first few weeks post surgery are nothing short of hell, just unreal pain. Now, the same knee needs replaced again, and my "good" knee now needs it as well due to favoring it so much over the years.
When I finally cave in, I'm going to go ahead and have them both done at the same time, no way am I going through that pain again twice, lol.
Best of luck OP, and if the doctor tells you to go to therapy....go to therapy. It will hurt like the devil, but in the long run it's well worth it.
When I finally cave in, I'm going to go ahead and have them both done at the same time, no way am I going through that pain again twice, lol.
Best of luck OP, and if the doctor tells you to go to therapy....go to therapy. It will hurt like the devil, but in the long run it's well worth it.
Thanks for sharing your story. Hope everything goes well for you.
I hurt my knee playing basketball and had a medial meniscus removed a long time ago. Hurt like hell for a week, but then no problem after that.
I gave you a like but the pain info not so much. Didn’t your doctor give you any pain medication?
The meniscus Isn’t a muscle it’s a type of Cartlidge similar to the gristle on a drumstick sort of gray colored, after that requires laparoscopic orthopedic surgery to repair. If the bone chips are irritating the joint they could be removed at the same time
Not sure how old you are but plan on some substantial arthritis later in life. Need that insurance
Enjoy your 20's, 30's and 40's cause after 50 that check engine light is gonna come on.
It may, but I had that knee surgery in about 1985.
At 59 I am thankful. I have very little mobility issues but do have pain. Not to the extreme some have mentioned. I am thankful...
I agree, that if he is old enough, that knee replacement will take care of knees that can no longer be dealt with. However, two at the same time is usually not recommended. The reason is that your chances of infection and blood clots are multiplied significantly when they are done at the same time. My surgeon told me that he would do both at once, if I insisted, but that if I were his brother, he would recommend a recovery time, and then do the second one. My surgeon is head of the orthopedic department at Marshall Medical Center, and he is the teaching Professor for Medical school. He is also ranked second in the country in post surgery complications.
I have to be the exception as I am 80 and I feel about as good as I did at 50. I just don't have the same drive as I had at 50. Most of my friends have had one or both knees replaced, so I feel very fortunate. I do work out fairly strenuously at the YMCA almost every day which i'm sure helps.
Have a left torn meniscus tear from I'm guessing 20 years ago.. More aggravating than hurts.. But I'm going to have it fixed around Jan since I'm off work and have had my ear put back on,, fixed torn rotator cuff.. Really bothers me only on bending over a lot or walking on the side of a bank or hill..
going on my second torn r knee meniscus...doesn't hurt all the time... hoping for surgery soon
Just be thankful for modern knee surgery.Tore my ACL,MCL ,and PCL plus meniscus in college .Had major reconstruction and was in a cast for three months.Afterwards had four other cleanup surgeries trying to get back to playing.Put so much metal in my knee that cannot go thru a metal detectors without setting them off .It amazes me that players can have surgery now and be back playing in weeks.Good luck on your surgery