meniscal tears

Well, after 14 weeks on the injury bench, and a knee injury that just isn't getting better with all the usual rest/ stretching/ massage/ physio/ ultrasound/ anti-inflammatories etc

I have finally got the report of an MRI done 2 weeks ago...

Degenerative changes in the menisci especially the posterior medial horn, and a possible small tear.

Everything else looked OK.

Guess I'm now looking at an orthopaedic referral and an arthroscopy.

Just wondered if anyone else has had a meniscal tear, and had arthroscopic surgery?

Did you get back to pain free running, and how long did this take?

I'm hoping for some positive stories because I'm feeling very despondent right now, and have been sat on the bench for so long now I'm wondering if I'll ever get off it.



:o(

sounds painful K9 - hope you get off the bench asap -sorry had no experience myself.

Thanks Hoose - actually it's only really painful if I run - even a few minutes is enough to aggravate it for a few days. Walking is pain-free, and most of the time it is only painful when I bend the knee a certain way or squat down.

Very frustrating.

I probably need a new hobby :o(

take up guitar perhaps - works for me. You will be back. Hard to lose something/someone you love even for a short while.

Yes...both knees done...can run with no pain as long as I wear the right shoes :-) R knee gave up 16 years ago before I started running, L knee gave up 1 year after I started running - and like you I thought I would be told to give running up.

My ITB tends to get all stroppy if I do too much (or don't do run/walk on the long runs), but knees themselves are fine!

Post-surgery physio is very important. It will get you stretching the muscles and working the knee within the right limits. If you are on the NHS, you may not get much physio (I got none after R knee on NHS, 8 sessions with BUPA for L knee).

The knee will feel swollen internally for some weeks. You'll think this will never go away. It'll still be there when you have the all-clear post-op. Then one day you'll kneel on the floor without thinking, and realise it has finally cleared up :-)

Good luck!

(((K9))) It's good that you at last have a diagnosis. I've chatted to you on the Bench before and I had a suspicion it might be meniscal from what you'd said. I had very similar symptoms to you - and have had a meniscectomy with FAB results, running has never been better, so I wanted to post this to cheer you up.

Mine was lateral meniscus, a split in the centre that was trimmed. The op lasted 1hr and hardly had any pain afterwards - main problem was swelling and getting ROM back. Had 2 incisions, got 2 tiny scars barely visible.

I was doing light jogging for <30mins on treadie at 8 weeks but everyone heals differently. Built up from there but my knee wasn't stable enough for proper running until 5 months post op as I damaged my lateral collateral ligament and so this had to heal too.

I went back to work too early and did too much too soon, so had added complications (LCL) but if you do sensible rehab you'll be fine. Never think you can beat the healing process - you will not win!

As a therapist I prescribe rehab progs so email me if you want exercises - the ones the hospital give are not for the athletic population and might not be suitable for you.

Thanks Heckenhocker and Siance...

that helps!

Hopefully all is not lost.

Can't do much at the moment as I'm in Australia visiting family, but will see GP as soon as I get back and get referred up to the orthopods and see what they say.

This is not good timing as I'm just about to start a new job, and the last thing I want to do is start by taking sick leave (having had only one day of sick leave in the last 23 years!!)

Thanks for the offer of rehab programs Siance - I'll see what happens after the orthos etc, and will get in touch if i do go under the knife (eek)

You shouldn't need much time off....I had surgery in the afternoon and went back to work the next day.

That was stupid** (anaesthetic side effects told me loud and clear mid morning that I should have taken 1 dsy of rest!)

But certainly there wasn't a need for the 10 days the nurse told me is the norm....














** yes, I'm good at stupid. But as I scheduled surgery (private) immediately and in the middle of a big project I figured I owed it to go back to work. Reason for immediate surgery, no waiting...so I had a chance of making skiing 3 weeks later. And I did!

K9

I'm with the others - had partial medial menisectomy 2 years ago. I am now back running but would agree with some of the points raised earlier:

- I got medial collateral ligament damage done during the op!! Took about 5 months until this had settled which I have to say I was furious about

- ditto the physio on the NHS - I wasn't even offered any at first but then managed through connections to get some but it wasn't at all personalised - just attending the hospital ortho rehab gym sessions twice a week for a couple of weeks

- however the actual meniscal damage was sorted perfectly, I was in and out of hospital in an afternoon and dotting around at a job interview on crutches only a few days later. I had minimal post operative pain, little swelling and now only have 2 of the tiniest scars you could imagine

Despite the problems I had I wouldn't hesitate to go for it again if the other knee ended up needing it - I would just be a little wiser!

Good luck

Hi, I just wanted to say I had arthroscopy last September for a miniscal tear. I paid for weekly sessions with a physio' afterwards and even though I could hardly afford it, it was worth it to give myself every chance to get back to running. I got very depressed about it at times, but by this February I ran a half marathon near my pb time and I ran the London marathon this April with no trouble.
GOOD LUCK

meniscal tears?

are they like crocodile tears?

Thanks everyone for your replies...you are all making me feel better :o)

Heckenhocker - I'm in the back to work the next day camp too...just can't really take time off unless I'm on my death bed - have been to work having rigors and all sorts before!! Sounds like the anaesthetic was the limiting step for you though...Fantastic that you managed to ski only 3 weeks later - that's very hopeful!!

Podds - worrying to hear about the medial collateral ligament damage - I'm always very wary of complications and the potential for making things worse rather than better...but it sounds as though it's sorted itself out in the longer term

Old Bag - fab that you ran FLM this year only months after surgery...that gives me hope!

Jj - LOL!