Anyone had a torn meniscus operated on?

[SmiledWithTheRisingSun]

Was it worth it?
Has it made a great difference to your knee?

Yes and yes but it was a gradual feeling better rather than straight away! Contemplating having my other one done as well 😀

Yes a year ago. Knee isn’t much better. Can no longer run or play sport. Leg won’t straighten either 😳

Oh fuck @Soontobe60
Why won't it straighten? Too swollen?

Yes. I had mine done in 2012. They were planning on trimming the meniscus but in theatre the surgeon decided to sew it up instead. This meant I had a very long recovery- 6 weeks in a splint and then another 6 weeks unable to work or drive. Most of the time was on crutches.

My knee isn't perfect now but can run on it. It's very clicky though and does hurt at times.

@blobby10 did you have to do lots of physio in recovery?

How long between the tear & the operation did you leave?

@NerrSnerr in what way is it better than before the op?

@SmiledWithTheRisingSun I was in a lot of pain before the op. My meniscus tore when I was sat on the floor of a train and stood up and my knee went 'pop'. It took at least 6 months to get to some kind of normal but pre-operation I was in acute pain and walking was a struggle.

Ah I see @NerrSnerr
Mine was a few years ago & has stopped being incredibly painful.
But I would like it to be better.
For eg I don't jog
It locks in the night if I don't sleep with a pillow under it.
Makes terrible noises.
I can't kneel down bum onto heels iyswim?
But not sure an operation is going to solve all that 🤷‍♀️

Yes and yes. Mine was very painful before, I was limping all the time and could feel the damage that was doing to other bits of me. I had keyhole surgery under GA, it was quick and straightforward and I walked unaided up two flights of stairs to my flat straight after.

In terms of recovery I napped a lot for a week and then went back to work (desk-based) with my leg up. Little walks every day, a bit further every time - so ‘to the nearest lamppost and back’ ‘to the next lamppost and back’. Also do the physio they give you, it’s not a huge amount but you need to be consistent. I think it’s supposed to be six weeks til you can drive - but it’s basically when you can do an emergency stop. And my physio told me not to run until I’d regained equal strength in both legs, which you check by seeing how much you can press in the gym. The operated one will be a LOT weaker at first so it’s important to try to get them back nearer the same.

Now a few years on I can run and do yoga with no pain. It’s a bit clicky now and then but really nothing compared to how it was before. And you can’t see the scars either.

I've ripped both on different occasions. Both years ago.

I guess you can't get both done at the same time 🙈🤷‍♀️

Yes, four times. It stopped some of the problems but the surgeries left a lot of scar tissue and mess and the knee’s fairly buggered now

Why four times??? @HanarCantWearSweaters

New tears kept forming. Without further injuries, I’d just gradually notice the pain returning and a scan would show a new tear. The surgeons couldn’t figure out why. I must be special and now missing almost all of both menisci in that knee!

Smiled my knee was often stiff after exercise and felt like a pillow was stuffed down it preventing me sitting back on my heels . It doesn’t sound as bad as yours does it to be honest! It was more an old age wear and tear thing. Didn’t do any exercise for a few weeks afterwards - then gradually started gym work and non weight bearing stuff and cycling .

I had a large tear that kept me awake at night. Night time was awful for some reason. I was in the US at the time. First surgeon wanted to just trim it all down. Went for second opinion and ultimately had it stitched. The recovery was slow as you can't use for 6 weeks after a repair and then physio etc. Bit it is much better now. Almost normal. That knee still looks a bit fatter though

I can swim and cycle and walk fine. Just don't dear run on it.
I've just been indecisive about the operation though, since there don't seem to be any guarantees it will help. But now am getting older (45. The tears were 10 & 8 years ago) I'm wondering if it's better to get it done whilst younger.

@SmiledWithTheRisingSun

Oh fuck *@Soontobe60* Why won't it straighten? Too swollen?

I thought that at first, but it’s not swollen any more and it’s still slightly bent. I didn’t get physio for 4 months as I had the op the Saturday before lockdown, which wasn’t ideal! I do have some arthritis in the joint too though. Im waiting to see my surgeon again and will ask for another MRI scan.

Do you have private medical insurance? If you do you can choose your surgeon. I had mine done by a chap who all the top footballers choose. In and out in a day, walked out of the hospital, best thing I have ever done

@NerrSnerr

Yes. I had mine done in 2012. They were planning on trimming the meniscus but in theatre the surgeon decided to sew it up instead. This meant I had a very long recovery- 6 weeks in a splint and then another 6 weeks unable to work or drive. Most of the time was on crutches.

My knee isn't perfect now but can run on it. It's very clicky though and does hurt at times.

I had the same in 2012.

Clipped together. 6 weeks leg brace, 3 months physio, 6 months sore.

Physio is tedious and crutches are miserable!

Totally unaware of it most of the time now. Ocassionally feel a jagged itch down the back of the knee.

It does click, running is ok'ish. I also have the stuffed pillow feeling when I try and sit on my knees.

Yes, I did probably 25 years ago (was 14). I had another reconstructive knee operation in my early 20s on the same knee. I’d say it’s fine. Was certainly the least difficult of my two operations to recover from and I actually never did physio after as my mum was too busy with work to be able to take me. I’ve run several half marathons in the years since.

Me - I had both of mine operated on at the same time a couple of months ago.

Still haven't got full movement in them but definitely better than what they were!

Oh
@CupcakeBabaPoooo didn't know you could get them both done at the same time! How are you moving about?

@HalfCakeHalfBiscuit please will you DM me the surgeons name? 🙏

It's definitely not the norm to have them both done at the same time but you can weight bear straight away. It's just difficult to move too far!

I had crutches for the first couple of weeks but I've been walking without them for about 4/5 weeks now. You do heal really quickly.

I am glad I had them both done together! Healing time is longer but worth it.

@CupcakeBabaPoooo do you feel it's made a difference already?