Knee arthroscopy for meniscal tear

[GreenHatHacker]

Has anyone had this operation? I've torn the cartilage in my knee, am in pain and am limited in what I can do. Been told it won't heal, so it's either live like this or have an arthroscopy to get the flappy bit cut off. However, my Physio says it's not a simple operation - apparently many weeks healing time afterwards, plus an increased likelihood of osteoarthritis later in life.

Anyone been in the same position? What did you do?

I had a meniscal tear. They chose not to try and operate as there is a risk of it not working. Ask about the stats of success

I had surgery for a meniscus tear about 15 years ago in my left knee. Unfortunately I had a bucket tear which meant that I could not straighten my leg at all so had to have surgery to release the meniscus which was catching. It has wrecked my knee. It has never been the same since and now has many issues arthritis, pain, swelling etc. I am active and walk a lot but my knee can be an issue.

To add to my good fortune or my being an idiot! I tore my medial and lateral meniscus in my other knee last summer. I was on crutches for 3 months but chose not to have the surgery. I did loads of physio and now my knee is way way better.

Personally I would not rush into the surgery give it a good time of physio before you make your decision. All the operation can do is remove or thin the meniscus, (If they can although very rare, repair it that is a different matter) knees are pretty rubbish without the meniscus so I am clinging onto the limited bit I have for as long as possible.

It is so frustrating when you are in pain and there is the option of help but knowing it could make things worse and then there is no going back.

Good luck in what you decide

Thank you both - those were the sorts of stories that my Physio was warning me about. I can tell he's not keen on the operation, but the thought of being stuck like this is very depressing. Basically I can't weight bear on a bent knee, so no gardening, cleaning (less worried about that!) limits exercise & getting into bath is difficult. Gentle walking OK, but had a scary time a couple of weeks ago when knee was very painful so was struggling even with that.

I had this done ( both knees) 15 years ago or so. Prior to the op I was in great pain, could hardly walk. Recovery time for me was about 2 weeks and though I occasionally have problems now I know better how to avoid them and manage them if necessary.
I’m not convinced by the arguments against this procedure.

DH had both his done over 10 yrs ago and he's right as rain now.

I had one just before christmas last year. Took about a month to heal properly after.
Now pain free nearly all of the time except for the osteoarthritis which I had before the op anyway.

I had this but after the operation it turned out the tear they saw on the MRI wasn’t the cause of the swollen knee, as they’d previously believed. Ended up having various treatments for spontaneous mono-arthritis (doctor-speak for “we have no idea what caused this or how to fix it”) and eventually it miraculously went away, apropros of nothing. All very strange, but the operation cleared a lot of the inflammation away and the knee was significantly improved after it.

Looks like your diagnosis is clearer/more likely to be correct, but just wanted to share my story.

I had a meniscal tear and like a pp I couldn't fully straighten my leg as a result. I started to lose muscle in my quads and had no hesitation about having the arthroscopic surgery. I recovered very quickly, had to do a bit of physiotherapy to help regain wasted muscle and proprioception, and went on to continue a very physical job. Twenty years on I have had no issues with it and lead a very active, sporty lifestyle.

In my career (sports related) it is a very common surgery and I have never heard of anyone have ongoing issues from a simple meniscal tear unless they had a very large amount of cartilage removed which can mean future problems with arthritis. My husband would fall into this category- had a sizeable piece removed and was warned of the possibility of future arthritis. His surgery was 25 years ago and no issues yet. He would certainly be the first to say that the 25 years he has had of being able to live his life pain free and do all his sports and activities is well worth the future risk of arthritis specifically related to the post surgery site.

From what you have said about your current situation OP, I would have no hesitation about having the surgery. But do your homework and get a surgeon who works with sportspeople - they will do the best job of taking as little cartilage as possible.

Some positive stories too, thank you everyone. Getting the diagnosis has been difficult - whoever looked at my MRI at the hospital couldn't see anything, so GP referred me to Physio for general rehab. Physio was convinced from the physical feel of my knee that there was a tear, so requested the images and says he can see it very obviously! So now he's sending me back to GP with recommendation that I be given opportunity to talk about surgery.

I will talk it through very carefully - and thanks to a PP for emphasising a surgeon familiar with sports injuries. I'm no Olympic athlete, but I did enjoy my 5km run on a Sunday & squatting weights to keep a perky bum. I'm 50, and consider myself to have several years of activity left yet - or at least I did before this happened!

I had a meniscal tear operated on by arthroscopy - after an initial injury point (painful, but not severe), I completely screwed it up on holiday (they initially thought I’d torn the ligament, as I couldn’t move it at all, turned out to be a bucket tear).

I was offered physio, but as I was in my early 30s they suggested surgery as a longer term solution. I’m mostly fine now - some pain when I’ve overdone it. I would do it again, I think.

I had all this at 24 and am having another flare up of the arthritis now at 27 ☹️ I’d get a second (well, third!) opinion on the image if you can- since you’ve had two very different views so far.

I faced the same decision as you last year. Similar age too. I don’t think mine was as bad though as knee didnt lock or give way. I had physio and then an MRI which clearly showed a tear. Doctor was keen to try surgery but I had more physio and it just gradually got better and now a year later it is fine (ish still twinges occasionally particularly at night but I can bootcamp and park run on it pain free). I always said if my knee locks or gives way I would do surgery so in your case I would definatley be doing the surgery. I know 3 people who have done the surgery and all had good results from it. I do sympathise as it is such a horrible injury and so slow to mend, if at all

I had a meniscal tear and a lesser one which I'was operated on under Arthroscopy 3 years later in 2006. I had torn the cartilage 6 years earlier. After the delayed op, I was told they had found arthritis in the bones of the knee, but were quick to deny any responsiblity due to the delay as said I was supposed to phone them for results. When I told GP I was amazed at his poker face.

I know someone who has had stem cell surgery on their knee last year - I'm sure that was on a meniscal tear.

Can I jump in here? What exercises are recommended by physios for this?

I've had dodgy knees all my life but am having a painful flare-up atm - sort of locking, catching etc. It could be a tear, cartilage worn away or the start of arthritis (I'm the right age). I'll go to the GP soon as it's not really easing off but I'm anticipating the fobbing off/delay for physio.

The Physio exercises being recommended to me are for strengthening leg muscles all around to provide stability - not targeted at the knee joint itself. Bridging moves for glutes and an adductors exercise with a band for the past weeks. I've also just been recommended wall supported squats and lunges which I'm a bit nervous about - but all to be done extremely gently, as very small fractional moves and taking weight on arms and other leg if needed.

I find yoga stretches in straight legged poses really useful, but nothing weight bearing with a bent knee.

Oh and really interested to know more about the stem cell surgery!

Thanks Green. I think I might need to see a physio. to get this treated.

I'm not really in regular touch with stem cell person but if I find out more, I'll let you know.