[Closed] Medial meniscus tears

It’s all down to the individual as I’ve had both knees done in the past. The key is not to try and do too much too soon and make sure you rest well for a few days after the op. Lots of stories to come though as it’s a popular subject on here!

Checking in as I found out yesterday I've also done mine, as well as fully torn my ACL.

I had this about ten years ago. I’m based in Germany and have private medical insurance (it was actually cheaper than state insurance at the time) and so was able to be seen straight away by a doctor who only specializes in knees. After the op I had problems with swelling for two weeks or so but apparently some peopl could walk out of the hospital after waking up from the anaesthetic.. Once the swelling went down enough for me to bend the knee enough to ride I spent a week on the turbo (in fact the doc encouraged me to do this) initially with no resistance. I had two months of physio as well and wa riding normally again after three months once I had built up the muscle mass in the leg again. Not had a problem since then.

I tore the cartilage so badly I couldnt bend my leg. That was 3 or 4 years ago. Its fine now. When doing the surgery they found I had snapped my acl so had to have that repaired a few months later. The knee is pretty much ok now, fine on bike but I still cannot really run. I struggled with the acl rehab due to it causing problems with pre existing hip issues but all told they nailed me back together pretty well.

@Rotorstern. Not liking the timescales you are talking about here.

So far hurt it last Wednesday. Saw GP on friday morning, MRI friday afternoon. Back to the GP this Thursday for official results and am expecting a referral to a specialist from the brief phone conversation yesterday morning.

How did you go prior to the OP? I feel pretty much fine now. I would not like to try and squat but have full extension and can walk and sit normally.

 I feel pretty much fine now

Was it locking up or just painful?

@ Shermer- just painful and very swollen.

I had mine done about 4 years ago now but mine was locking up so incredibly painful whilst locked but I worked out that when I kicked my leg out it would generally unlock it again.

Anyway, as above, the recovery seems to depend on the person. For whatever reason I seem to hold the swelling and fluid for quite a while after injuries and surgeries but I was back playing rugby after about 5 weeks. However, another lad in my team was playing just 2 weeks after having his done so it does seem very subjective. In terms of rehab, my experience was that I was encouraged to do what could, when I could.

How badly?

I did mine about 10 years ago. I think 8 weeks of Physio got me back to a light jog and after 12 weeks I was cycling and by 16 weeks I was fully recovered (i.e. back to competitive football). I was very diligent in sticking to the exercises prescribed by the Physio and I didn't try to rush anything. Never had so much as a twinge since.

Mrs Dubs has had considerable amounts of knee surgery before (2x ACL repairs, LL Meniscus repair) and had a RL meniscus repair, with ACL tidy up and some removal of bone calcification three weeks ago.

She was up and walking out of the hospital same day. About a week later she was driving, and went back to work on Monday just gone (She's a PE teacher, so won't be on full demonstration duties).

She is expecting to be running in a straight line in the three weeks time (depending on what the physio says) and doing some light skiing at Christmas - it depends on conditions, ice is a no-no, blues and easy reds no problem.

She will probably be back playing hockey just in time for the season to end...

I have officially hung up my tennis racquet as of this point. All I want to do is get back out on the bike and not go backwards too much.
Been a crap few years for injuries and I had just managed to get through a winter without taking two steps back.
I was not too down about it but the spiral of despair is starting to wash over me.

I can’t give you a story of a full recovery. You should prepare yourself for that outcome too. You can’t repair meniscus just cut it away to stop pain. It is one area that stem cell research may hold benefits (they regrow your own) - just not quite yet. Lots of physio (maybe done at home as nhs won’t pay). Wobble board is my new friend, poir discipline means I am not doing enough. Speak to specialist Dr and physio, biking is good for me - start very gentle, possible that lots of rutted dh is permanently out of the question

Despair washing over you 🙁 sadly sounds familiar after getting somewhat in shape and going to Alps in 2015 (latest injury end 2012) in the last year I have ridden 40k max, last rides of over 1hr where 18 months ago ....

Had mine done last year, it's brilliant until I bend the knee beyond 90deg, which I did coming off on WC track at FW on sunday. Takes a few days for swelling to go down, then usually okay to cycle a few days after that.

I's okay running, but not the likes of tennis or footie sadly, that just knocks **** out of it.

As above, everyone is different, but I see it as a sticking plaster tbh, only delaying the knee being gubbed in the future...

I've managed to live with mine (don't know if it's a lateral or medial). Went in for the op, but the surgeon sent me home as I had a snowboarding holiday booked and the knee was ok at the time.
Sort of glad I didn't get operated on - I can run around refereeing rugby, riding is no problem. Just the wrong angle of bending the knee and pop, it's locked up. So painful.
But found sitting on my foot and pressing down unlocks it and can carry on like nothing has happened.
Not sure if I can snowboard anymore though, because the knee gets so painful - feels swollen inside. Still, that saves money eh?!

As I said, a week on and I am walking without issues. I am pretty sure I could go for a ride, almost certainly if it were flat and steady.
I am lucky in that work has payed for the medical bills so far and will continue to do so, I hope. Therefore access to physio/rehab will not be an issue.
@Jamba- some googling suggests that depending on the location of the tear and the form it takes healing is possible. Something about plentiful blood supply on the outer edge boding well.

Thinking a little more, I am tending to worry more about work long term rather than riding. I have a reasonably active role at the moment. Lots of up/down/off the floor etc.

Been referred to an orthopedic surgeon now. Bodes badly I think.

Wooo hooo. No surgery needed at this point. One relieved boy is what I am.

Just had MRI scan this morning. my knee is constantly swollen,stiff, tender for last 6 weeks following 5 days walking in the alps. Can't put it down to any one particular incident though so may just have been there but the rough terrain finished it off.

Not back to see Surgeon until early December though...so a waiting game. His initial feeling was that I had torn something in my meniscus

Knees are a pain, literally 😐

they bloody are..had to put all adventures on hold for the moment...can hardly walk the dog for 20 minutes!

I had this done in 1978 well before key hole surgery. Knee area has always felt kind of numb! Since early 2000's have now developed arthritis. Something to look forward to!

Mrs Dubs has been on the turbo this week. Talking about going for a gentle pootle this weekend if it's dry.

I'm jealous of the speed of your results...I'm still waiting for the follow up apt with the consultant which will be 4 months on from the original injury. In which time I got my GP to get the results of my MRI! 4 months to then almost certainly have to wait several more months for an op!

I snapped my ACL , tore my medial ligaments and tore my cartilage in one go back in 2004. At a and e was told I had sprained my knee. I knew this wasn't the case and had a two year battle with the NHS to get my ACL sorted. I had to go to knee class every Wednesday and eventually a consultant told me not to have it repaired but change my lifestyle to fit. I was 24. Eventually got it sorted against the consultants advice. However, the 2 years had taken its toll and I now have some arthritis in the knee and through compensatory walking had damaged the meniscus in my other knee. I had that fixed 10 years after. Touch wood though, it's all ok now. I ride clipped single speed with no issues. Keep the muscles strong as they help pull the knee together!

My MRI confirms medial meniscus tear...
probably arthroscopy in the new year if it doesn't settle down, which it's not currently.

Well back from my appointment. Confirmed torn ACL, medial meniscus tear and expected further ligament damage. Surgery planned for early new year. Expecting a total of a year off the bike, especially considering I've only managed 3 short rides in last 4 months.

eventually a consultant told me not to have it repaired but change my lifestyle to fit

Seems this was common some years ago - Mrs Dubs was told to give up hockey at the age of 17...

Edit: BTW, she's been cleared for running in straight lines (no team sports yet) and for "light" skiing at Christmas so that's a win.

Good news for Mrs Dubs. Gives me some positive vibes.

@ashat you shouod be riding gentiy by 6 months, rough ground is a bit of a buggar following the surgery/injury

I just paid my £25 to get the MRI images as I have a meeting with consultant in Paris ina few weeks, second opinion needed.

@ashat you shouod be riding gentiy by 6 months, rough ground is a bit of a buggar following the surgery/injury

Good luck with the second opinion.

I had a quick and full recovery and didn't need surgery. I was early 40s, had to be on crutches, no weight on it for a week or two - I got told off when I attempted to ditch the crutches sooner. Working in the same building as a physio was quite helpful for that - the telling off bit. I was then told that I should keep the joint moving without weight bearing and was to cycle for rehab not for fitness / enjoyment etc. I did many towpath miles. Six to eight weeks and as good as new.

I've been offered surgery on 14th december. my surgeon is actually a good friend of mine - which I suppose is a good thing! Physio really suggesting I put of surgery until the new year and try and let it settle. so hard to know what to do as not getting any better and feels like I am delaying the envitable...

@ashat those who I know who have had the dual meniscus and acl reconstruction say the meniscus actually takes longer to recover from. Restart activity in 6 months and roughly somewhere betwen 1 and 2 years to be as good as its going to be. I personally tried to manage without surgery as I broke my left one 32 years ago and have managed but breaking right one too has been more troubelsome (I assume as I am much older) and of course two dud knees means I have no “good one” to rely on

@freeride French specialist I saw in 2013 said for my meniscus he can’t “fix it” just cut stuff away so it doesn’t hurt - so if its not hurting he said just leave it. TBH it has never been right and tends to swell with any decent amount of excersize

@jambalaya - Yes just a clean up and trim of the meniscus..
problem is I currently can't do anything, very swollen, extremely tender and diffculty doing anything!

If I thought slowly settling down would be inclined to wait, but no sign of that.

I could be the same come march and then make decision to have op, and wasted 3 months of recovery?

In July I had a minor fall of my bike and the following day I had a bit of a painful knee. Pain was posterior and slightly medial. No swelling and I was able to palpate but I slowly developed a limp and after a few weeks I finally saw a doctor as it wasn't getting any better and was quite painful (actually thought I was developing a DVT one night when the pain woke me - but it wasn't) Saw the doc who thought I might have damaged my meniscus and advised lots of rest. I took 3 weeks of work ( most of September) and rested it as much as possible and returned to work. I was able to walk without limping and other than a tiny bit of stiffness my knee felt fine. On the third day back at work we had to bring someone down a flight of stairs and half way down I put my weight onto that knee and felt a stabbing pain. It felt like a crunch but again there was no swelling. This time the pain was all medial and radiated under the patella.

Again the knee could be palpated and moved and there was no swelling but any weight bearing was painful and I could only walk with a limp. Again the Doc suggested rest and after a fortnight he reviewed me and as there was absolutely no improvement he has referred me for an MRI scan.

That was early October and I have my scan next Monday. In the meantime I have weekly physio (organised through my work) and daily exercise but there isnt any real progress that I can see. Exercise is pretty painful and I cannot weightbear on that knee. Negotiating stairs is awkward and I can't run. I limp after a short walk. The thought of me running up stairs is just ridiculous and to be honest Im a little bit despondent about the whole thing.

Hopefully the MRI will identify the problem and the Doc can specify treatment accordingly but if surgery is needed it sounds like it could be weeks more of waiting, resting and discomfort.

Hard to believe such an innocuous fall could be so damaging. 🙂

Surgeon said to me if they have to just trim the meniscus, you are back on your feet quite quickly (off crutches within 2 weeks). If they have to sew it, its a brace for 6 weeks and no load bearing. As it has no blood flow it cant repair itself.

@freeride yes certainly sounds like you’ve given it a bit of time but that its not going to sort itself. I get no real pain from meniscus just swelling after excersize / a ride or walk

@penguinni.. Sounds just like my symptoms..

@jamba, yep. Already got surgery fixed in my mind

Luckily I got another cancellation and had the MRI on Monday. It has confirmed a medial meniscus tear and today I was referred to a knee specialist.

Glad that things are moving but a tad annoyed it took several weeks before they opted for the MRI and confirmed the injury.

Bit anxious now as Ive only about 8 weeks full sickness pay left before I drop to half pay. Times like this I wish Id taken that private health insurance policy!

What is your work? Are they able to make reasonable adjustments so you can go back?

Forgot about this thread.
I seem to have dodged the bullet. I do have a Meniscus tear but not bad enough to warrant surgery. Also have a PCL sprain which is where i think most of the pain and reduced movement came from. A few weeks of rest and I am almost 95%.

Good luck and healing vibes for those not so fortunate.

Had 3 meniscus tears on right knee and 2 on the left. Now the right knee needs a new knee.

@shermer - Im a paramedic so can't go fully operational until I satisfy OH I can manage stairs and stuff. My Trust will ease me back to work slowly, via an admin role if necessary.

I just wish I had been referred for an MRI sooner as that would have confirmed the diagnosis and expedited treatment.

@uphillcursing - thats good news and Im glad you're on the mend

@Caher - bummer! Hope it goes well for you.

I booked in for surgery 14th December...fingers crossed for swift recovery.

Good luck. It’s all about the rehab.

Had the first part of my second opinion today. Quite a different approach to treatment, acl surgery will probably in this Dr’s opinion delay the knee replacement by at least 10 years. Thus making 60 - 70 or 65-75 much better than it was looking. Also believes “oil” injection into joint to compensate for meniscus damage will be worthwhile and “nothing to lose by trying”. UK doc didn’t think it was worth it (also twice the price fwiw), Not final yet but first consultation done.

amazing how doctors tell you totally differing opinions on things! good luck, and sounds like progress being made.

I'll post on how my "nip and tuck" goes!

My job for this weekend is to try and work out how to do some exercise without putting load through my leg. Lack of CV workout is starting to send me mad, and the idea of nothing really for a year is going to actually make me mad.

Seated (light) weights, sit ups, straight leg raises (one and both) ?

I made a similar list after my injury and then just wasted most of my time on the internet 🙁

yep, its really hard to do any CV work. I've put on quite a bit of weight.

swimming with float between legs so you don't use your knees

Also wondered about rowing/boxing actions with hand weights. I think it should be possible to do a couple of seated kettlebells (though that isn't really CV) as long as I watch my back.

At the moment physios don't seem keen on me swimming 🙁

amazing how doctors tell you totally differing opinions on things! good luck, and sounds like progress being made.

Always a balance of cost, risk, benefit

Jamba, the synovial fluid injections (probably Synvisc) don't compensate for meniscus damage, more they lube up your knee again after your body's own stuff get all washed out during the surgery. It is something I wish I had as it took me a very long time for me knee to feel smooth again.

The main important thing is getting on top of it early which seems to have happened OP.

It took me a year before I got an MRI and had nearly another year wait for the surgery. I was young and did not appreciate how much one has to push a GP/ physio in order to make progress in the UK.

In terms of recovery, even if you [i]only[/i] have an arthroscopy, you still have someone prodding around in your knee and rearranging everything which will give different responses in different people. I had a massive amount of swelling, inflammation and stiffness afterwards and no NHS physio provided, no matter how much I pushed for it.

I would say the stories of people running around after a few weeks are more the minority and I guess it is pragmatic to plan for the worst and take your time. I pretty much had to give up any running or cycling for a year or two as I had so much pain, even after private physio got me functional again.

The most helpful advice I can give would be to push your GP/ physio/ surgeon if you feel something isn't going quite right, take your time to recover properly and get the very best physiotherapy you can to get everything back in balance going forwards.

Well I saw the orthopaedic surgeon this morning and I need surgery. The NHS waiting list is around 18 months and I can't wait that long so Ive decided to go private. He has a cancellation this afternoon and Im booked in for surgery at 1700 today in a private hospital in Belfast.

Irks me a bit that I have to go private (and self fund) but needs must.

Had my arthroscopy op yesterday for a complex medial tear. Apparently it went well and was just trimmed!
How were your 1st few days after op? I've only hobbled to the toilet a couple of times but things feel very odd in the knee (not really surprising), does it take long to settle down?
I was also surprised to not be given any crutches, just told to rest a couple of days and then start trying to walk around as much as I can, but to listen to my body....
I'm already feeling cooped up but know I shouldn't rush this early stage of recovery.

Had my arthroscopy 3 weeks ago today. trimmed my meniscus (about 20% gone)

Knee still slightly swollen but I think gradually going down. the meniscus tear pain has basically gone, so just need to get this final swelling down. Have been walking lots but no cycling or strength stuff yet.

So I'm still waiting for my repair and ACL reconstruction...6 months from my original referral, and 10.5 weeks from signing the surgery paperwork. Starting to go a little mad, so getting loads of decorating done, with the view that the house will be finished and 2019 can be full of adventures.

How's everyone else getting on?

Well I'm 8 weeks post arthroscopy.
First month recovery seemed to be going well
but kind of been the same the last 4 weeks, still got swelling in my knee, and can actually feel the meniscus...

Recovery seems to be very slow. I am seeing the surgeon on Friday so see what he says.

Been in the Gym and shortish easy rides seem OK. but does increase the swelling

I'm really hoping its just a waiting game for my knee to properly settle. as aged 42 really hope this isn't as good as it will get again!

Ran 100 miles on mine in January, I'm now of the thinking that running seems good for it, as long as I keep it sensible ie below half marathon distance, maybe building the muscle is stabilising the knee.

That's 18 months since it was done, pretty happy with it.

Best of luck folks.

Meniscus tear a 3 years ago. 75% removal of meniscus on left tibia.

Biking lots. 180km rides are no problem (for the knee at least!).
Walking lots too.

Running career is over. Tried again last October to resurrect my running shoes, but to no avail. Hurty knee and other injuries means I've admitted that it's not going to happen. At 44 I'm also thinking about longevity as I still want to be riding/walking/windsurfing etc when I'm 70, so given how punishing running is to my body, I'm happy to drop it.

Only issue is the cold. My left knee feels it, but not when riding so much. More often when I get back into the shower after exercise, it gets a bit painful when it gets warm again.

Overall, not hugely life changing, but no more running or squash. Not the end of the world really.

I’ve managed to live with mine (don’t know if it’s a lateral or medial). Went in for the op, but the surgeon sent me home as I had a snowboarding holiday booked and the knee was ok at the time.
Sort of glad I didn’t get operated on – I can run around refereeing rugby, riding is no problem. Just the wrong angle of bending the knee and pop, it’s locked up. So painful.

Same here except for different reasons I never got it seen to.
In fact I did it back in 2000-2001 and just didn't get time.
It really doesn't trouble me..and now it hardly even seems to lock up for years - probably a decade.... a few niggles but way less than many other injuries I've done.

@freeride from what others have told me meniscus recovery longer than acl replacement

French Dr gave me some injections which may/may not help my knee re meniscus damage. Next few months will tell. Didn’t propose ACL replacement, was surpirsed knees where in as good a shaoe as they are given 34 years woth no acl in keftnknee and 5 years without in right knee. I suppose that’s good news 😐 Anyway can resume “sports” now amd hoping leg is strong enough to ski late March but don’t want to risk further damage and write off summer riding/sailing

Injuries are a buggar

Cool. Good to hear some others are making progress. Keep going Freeride. I understand from my pre-op physio that everyone goes through plateux stages and then makes progress. Fingers crossed for you.

I've been back at the hospital as I have a blood clotting complication which has to be taken into account, but hoping to get that sorted and fingers crossed for op by the end of the month (which runs the risk of being on my birthday!).

Thanks all. yes my physio said it will be a long road, and several I have spoken to said it took 6 months plus to fully recover..maybe my expectation was slightly to high!

will update Friday after surgeon review..

I had my meniscus done last December and its much better. I can manage steps and stairs that were just too painful prior to the debridement.

Total rest for first 2 weeks then started weekly physio and daily exercising - walking,squats, lunges, step ups etc - and recovery was coming along very well. But a couple of weeks ago I think I overdid the squats/lunging and my knee became painful at the rear and along the front where it had originally been painful prior to the op. Physio ceased the squats etc and gave me mostly stretching exercises to do and its slowly recovering.

Saw my surgeon on Monday and he was unhappy I had been doing squats etc. He said physios were too keen to start strengthening the knee but it needs more time. Needless to say my physio disagreed with that opinion today!

Anyways,my knee is much better but not 100%. Whereas the left knee just works effortlessly Im aware of tightness and occasional discomfort in my right knee post op. But there was a fair bit of trimming involved and a bit of bone scraping so its only to be expected.

Hope to be back to work next month too! 🙂

I'm wondering if I've done this in a fairly minor way to my knee. Over the Christmas break I stopped cycling to give myself a break as I commute 5 days 40+ miles a week. Just before new year I got up from the sofa and felt my knee twist. It was something that had happened before but had cleared up within the week, but this time it's still about. The previous time it happened I had also stopped cycling altogether for over a week. I've not been to the doctor about it as assumed it would clear up soon. Been difficult to rest as I need to cycle to get to work but for the first couple of week tried to take it easy. Then the discipline would suddenly break and I'd go off and do something strenuous like riding rocks/steps/drops between stretches of XC on a rigid mtb. Have a problem with battered wrists also not helped by wanting to get into bodyweight exercise! So took the full suss for comfort on commute duties this week. Which just encourages me even more to do stupid stuff.

Wondered if knee injuries ocurring during a resting period sound familiar? It is slowly getting better, it's not stiff, just a dull ache, movement has improved can bend fully if careful.

Oooh oooh a hurty knee thread!

I’m in my (very) late thirties and today had my first consultation with a specialist. Had trouble with my knees for years but lately they seem to be getting rapidly worse.

No strength, grating, fluid on the knees etc etc, now waiting for a date for an MRI. Neither my doctor or specialist want to speculate until I’ve had a scan.

Tried slowly getting back into some very light running this past few months to try and get things moving but no chance, no matter how easy I take it I’m left in agony for weeks afterwards.

I’m not too bad pootling on the bike for an hour once a week but anything more and I’m struggling. Just hoping to get some answers soon.

bluearsedfly - I think it really takes the MRI to confirm the extent of the injury, anything else really is just speculation. I didn't have typical swelling or some other common symptoms, yet still had significant damage that only the MRI confirmed.

From my experience Id advise against impact activities like running and stick to walking, cycling and stretching until the diagnosis.

Good luck!

Thanks penguinni. Just finding it frustrating at the moment. My consultant recommended keeping up the biking and made a point of not loosing any fitness.

Hoping I don’t have to wait too long for a scan.

9.5 weeks post Op. Still some swelling and pain spots in the medial part of the knee. Everything I read should be way past this and back at it...

so frustrating.
anyone else take ages to recover
concerned this is as good as I will get - maybe I have arthritis, surgeon assured I didn't and said just a waiting game.

It took me many months, so listen to your body and try to hunt out a decent physio

Thanks DanW

Good to know I'm not/wasn't the only one

what were your specific issues post Op ?

I think the recovery time can really vary and also depends on the shape your knee was in pre-op. This is just what I have been told by physios, not from experience as I am still waiting!!! Keep your chin up freeridenick if you can.

cheers ahsat...

You are right but when you hear about people skiing and playing rugby 2 weeks after the op gets rather frustrating!!

Oh you have my full sympathies. I guess it depends on the degree of the repair though?

some more info I garnered from another surgeon

"If it was an isolated medial
Meniscus tear in an otherwise perfect knee then here are my thoughts :

Not everyone settles in 6 weeks especially if they overdo it.

Sometimes the inflammation that sits around the edge of the meniscus can take longer to settle- occasionally a steroid injection is helpful. Ultrasound scan it a good way to look for persistent inflammation.

Rarely, in a 42 yr old, the loss of the piece of meniscus really unsettled the knee lagging to bone bruising

At nine weeks I’d probably do and US scan with a view to steroid injection.

Repeat MRI at nine weeks is a bit premature

Had my MRI on Monday, the lady who carried out the scan wouldn’t tell me anything. How long does it usually take for the results to come back?

11 weeks on from my op and I'm still in a fair bit of pain, in both the tear location and from one of the incisions. I've had two courses of antibiotics for a deep set infection and still have swelling around the infected area.

Numerous friends have recovered quickly from their own ops which makes my slow recovery so frustrating. I guess being unlucky and early 40s hasn't aided the healing process.

<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">I'm finally seeing the consultant on Monday, but not holding out much hope for a quick fix 😕</span>

@bluearsedfly you normally need to wait to see the consultant next. For me this was 8 weeks. After a lot of chasing, my GP got the results for me after 6.

Only had to wait two weeks in the end thanks ahsat.

Turns out I need an arthroscopy with the medial plica sorting on both knees.

Consultant reckons best case scenario is two weeks no driving, three or four off work and six weeks off the bike per knee.

Dreading being stuck round the house, I get agitated doing nothing for an hour or so.

Good news on getting seen so quickly (I'm wondering if Leeds are just super slow!). Sounds not much fun and sortable.

Having had 7 months with no major activities and another 6 months ahead of me, I know what you mean about being stuck indoors. I have forced myself to discover new things... rediscovered reading and drawing for example .

Good luck