meniscus tear surgey? yay or nay?

[spyrosmom]

Hi!! After fighting a meniscus tear that won't heal for a few months, I went back to the Dr on yesterday and at this point the options are to live with it (OW!!) or have surgery to correct this issue. I did the conservative PT and cortisone injections to try to get it to heal on its own but no dice. I went ahead and scheduled the surgery for 01/03, but I'm really not sure I want to do it. I don't want to deal with the 6-8 wk recovery and for some reason I just have an overall bad feeling about it - but I don't know why. I had knee surgery about a yr and half ago and no probs at all, but for some reason this is freaking me out. I can't put a finger on it. Dr also wants to release the outside ligament as my kneecap doesnt track straight and this is not helping the issue. Anyone been thru the meniscus surgery and how did it work out? Do I do it or do I just tought it out. Pretty sure it won't get any better but I would think it will eventually get worse, which I don't want either. But I can't put off the nagging feeling that I don't want to do this. Woman's intuition?

Nan

 

[berry99]

Hi Nan! Sorry about your knee issues. I had knee surgery in March to fix my meniscus and to have a lateral release. I think that the lateral release is what your doctor wants to do on your knee too with the outer ligaments. I did the conservative PT route for about 3 months and it just never got better. So, I decided to have the surgery. The meniscus fix is not bad and recovery is pretty quick. I don't mean to scare you but the lateral release was horrible and the recovery was about 6 months with pain on the outer part of my leg (where he released) for about 3 months. I had to have it done so I didn't really have a choice, but I just wanted you to be prepared for the recovery. The doctor always seemed to sugar coat it, but when I looked on the internet most people had pretty long recovery periods. I am glad that I did it because if I didn't I was risking bone on bone rubbing without any cartilage left. If it was me I would probably have the surgery but no one can tell you what to do. I had mine because there was no way I could resume semi-normal life without doing it. Good luck and PM or email me if you want.

 

[tneah]

Years ago, I tore my meniscus/ACL ligaments,ouch. I couldn't wait to have the surgery it hurt so bad. They had to wait until the swelling went down to operate, but I was so happy after it healed!

 

[buffettgirl]

I'm having an MRI next Friday to determine if I have a meniscus tear. If so, I'm having the surgery as soon as possible. Nothing can be as bad as not being able to do the things I love for fear of pain or further injury. The doctor felt after the surgery and 2 to 6 weeks of recovery/rehab, I'd been fine to do all my old activities.

 

[berry99]

Robin, oh no! I am sorry that you are in the middle of knee problems. Please keep us posted as to what your MRI reveals. Hang in there!

 

[nancy324]

My mom had a procedure for a torn meniscus last year, and it was done on an outpatient basis. I was prepared to stay with her for a few days afterwards, but I only had to stay one night because she was able to do all of her usual activities! She was even able to drive because the surgery was on the left knee. We were amazed at how easy the recovery was.

 

[JMFRANE]

I had a meniscus tear and had the surgery (in 2000). I'm sooo glad I did. Before the surgery, I could hardly do step, jog, dance and other things. Plus, it hurt if I turned it the wrong way. It wasn't getting better only seemed like it was getting worse. Recovery was very fast for me. My knee is great now and I can do everything.

Joanne

 

[Imafitnessfreak]

A great friend of mine had surgery on his tear. Surgery was a breeze (2 tiny snips about the size of your pinky nail). I think he was back to normal after 4 weeks. He had to wait a few days post surgery before starting his PT.