Way back (Winter 2000/2001) I probably tore my meniscus (and some other stuff that's fixed) - that is I saw a doctor who was fairly convinced but also said he'd probably not recommend getting it operated on where I was at the time.
One thing follows another ... and it got mostly better in that mostly it doesn't give me any hassle and over the 20+ years its played up "a handful" of times then got better by itself. Other than running it hasn't changed my life really.
What I remember from the time was I was told I'd need to be inactive for a while afterwards (seemed long back in those days) and the broken bit might wedge somewhere if not removed?
Now that knee played up 2 "proper" rides (5 days apart) in a row.
I guess I'm now thinking maybe I finally have to get keyhole surgery and wondering what that involves in recovery and outcomes?
I'm hoping it fixes itself again ... that is if some broken off bit has jammed somewhere it moves or long shot it's the new knee pads. I did ride the 2 nights ago without knee pads (just to see how it was doing before a longer ride last night) but it was just a flat 20k down the river
Had a tear in mine 4 years ago aged 41. Cannot put it down to one specific incident, so probably years of running, biking, football, skiing etc etc. Tried to let it settle down with rest but 3 months on could not even get enough movement for turning a pedal stroke.
Decided on keyhole - surgeon whipped about 20% of my medial I seem to remember.
slow recovery to be honest (6 months) to get swelling totally down
I no longer run on it to save what I have left.
Can ride my bike as hard as I like and ski/snowboard
though knee does feel a little different and can stiften up occasionally after long drive etc
There are numerous threads about this on here but INE I had surgery on my torn meniscus about 12 years ago. In my case when the bone moved onto the torn part it basically locked my knee and I couldn’t bend it without excruciating pain.
In my case I had problems with swelling for about two weeks but the doctor told me some patients wake up after the op and can walk out of the clinic. It took about two months before I had full movement in the knee and about 6 months until the muscles had built back to the level they were before the op.
I have had no problems since then though. 🤞
I asked this a few months ago as I tore mine at the beginning of July, I had the surgery two weeks ago, mine was bad I couldn't really walk more than 1k and was been kept awake by the pain most nights. The surgeon says the loose flap was folded over and would never have settled down itself. My physio thinks it's gone well and the level of swelling is as good as it could be. However I'm still in a lot of pain more than before surgery and I'm limping when I walk, but I think that is down to bruising and scar tissue from the op.
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/knee-arthroscopy-to-repair-torn-meniscus-cartidge/
Tricky everyone seems to have different experiences...
First op early 40's...years of off road running and knee locked solid but got full use back with no pain skiing trail running mtb road cycling karate bouldering...then just after 50th birthday a moments loss of concentration on mtb in damp put my knee head on into a tree...2nd op and back to all the same stuff now early 60's and can't run any more...too much pain and despite stretching and strength exercises head says don't try if means can ride... as to recovery time both weeks rather than months..2nd op queried no crutches and told no longer do them mobility more important and specialist happy for me to use turbotrainer straight away though hard to get on...after both ops paid for a sports orientated physio important to get any weak stuff sorted...hope goes well
Are you 100% sure you have torn it? I only say this as I had two independent physios tell me I had, and that surgery was going to be required. Years later I haven't had surgery and the problems I had have disappeared, largely due to, ironically, lots of physio. My problem stemmed largely from a tight piriformis and associated muscular weakness - from time to time I still experience pain to a degree, at which point I realise I have neglected my exercises. Problem then goes away in a matter of days. Back when I was 'diagnosed', I was always skeptical as there was no event where damage could have been caused.
Circumstances which bring it on include cold weather and prolonged sofa surfing. I generally avoid shorts now unless it's properly warm, and I swapped my couch for a comfy chair.
Had my 1st op back in 2011 - didn't do the required rehab properly - so had to go back for a 2nd op in 2012. All was good, this time I did EVERYTHING the doctor and physios said, and even played a couple of seasons of Vets football after.
I've started to get a dull ache after long drives/sitting at a desk etc and occasionally after big rides in the cold. At the time my Doctor said I may have to have a scrape of the kneecap after 10 years to keep the arthritis at bay, but I've been putting it off because it's not too bad - at the moment!
If you go for the op, I would highly recommend getting the very best physio you can find/afford, and make sure you do every exercise they give you properly - don't cut corners!
antigee
Tricky everyone seems to have different experiences…
Yeah ... I've asked people over the years as well and had very mixed responses.
kormoran
Are you 100% sure you have torn it?
Nope, it was a company doctor decades ago... and the present issue might not even be related.
I only say this as I had two independent physios tell me I had, and that surgery was going to be required. Years later I haven’t had surgery and the problems I had have disappeared, largely due to, ironically, lots of physio. My problem stemmed largely from a tight piriformis and associated muscular weakness – from time to time I still experience pain to a degree, at which point I realise I have neglected my exercises. Problem then goes away in a matter of days. Back when I was ‘diagnosed’, I was always skeptical as there was no event where damage could have been caused.
Hmmm... I know exactly WHEN (Jumping on snowblades and the landing was heather and my body rotated 270 deg but one of the snowblades didn't) and have a good memory of it HOWEVER I can't really remember what the doctor based the diagnosis on, can't remember scans .. but then it's 20 yrs ago - I just remember he strongly advised not getting it done "in country".
Then by the time I was in a 'better country for medical stuff' it had cleared itself up more or less. I can't remember the last time it really bothered me .. to the extent that last Sat I was riding and it played up and I didn't associate the old bad knee and the pain until I got back to the van. It's that long since the last time I'd pretty much forgotten.
First few years it used to get bad if I was for example going down steps (no weight holding it together) but that's decades ago.
Stainypants
However I’m still in a lot of pain more than before surgery and I’m limping when I walk, but I think that is down to bruising and scar tissue from the op.
I'm hoping this clears up... I guess my worry is put perfectly by antigee.
In general
I did 3 rides in the last week... the two with the new kneepads resulted in "a needle being driven into the knee feeling". Gears didn't help... that is it hurt less cycling back to the van just grinding instead of spinning as it seemed more like revs were worse than force and pushing up hills was pain free.
When I got home last night after an aborted ride (only got 10 mins into it) I could see the imprint of the new pads D3O alike (non newtonian fluid) very clearly on the skin. I was also wearing the same trousers over the top.
When I did the river ride in-between the two I didn't wear knee pads and it seemed absolutely fine. It was flat but feeling wise it's not been hills that hurt so much as making the circle.
This definitely seems very marmite and not something to rush into... but other advice and experience gratefully received.
I may be interpreting this incorrectly in which case ignore me, but it seems like your pads are causing the pain
kormoran
I may be interpreting this incorrectly in which case ignore me, but it seems like your pads are causing the pain
Well, not directly (sort of).(though I'm hoping it's related). they aren't exactly comfortable but that's discomfort 1/10 and just a general "nothing to put your finger on" very diffuse thing vs the very sharp pain (5/10 and growing)
I'm wondering/hoping that the rubbing the patella about and pressing it is then leading to the jabbing/needle pain so if I swap pads (or ride without) .. I'm tempted to just try my comfortable pads and wear shorts or perhaps take off the hard shell.
mensicus issue always presents as swollen from what i had. I had quite a bit of liquid on the knee
MRI will confirm via Knee surgeon.
I couldn't agree more about getting a good physio, due to another injury which he specialized in, I have access to the former head physio of a top premiership football team. I decided initially to go to the main physio practice in town for this injury, I saw two physios one misdiagnosed me, leading to a six-week delay in me getting surgery and the second really tried to put me off getting surgery. I decided to get a scan and see what was going on so I could make an informed choice. I went back to my original physio even though i have to travel to see him.
If the physio gets out an ultrasound or generic exercise sheet I say run (or hobble) a mile. If they assess you and give you a bespoke challenging rehab plan you are probably in the right place.
What are the symptoms? Pain or locking?
My knee was dumped out of the system for not being bad enough. They are apparently reluctant to operate these days unless there is a good to, reason like removing a piece of cartlidge that is blocking movement. Mine's fine a bike. Running is a no no. I can walk upto about 10km. So it seems reasonable that I just live within the constraints for now
2019 when I had an arthroscopy aged 63. I'd had a dodgy knee for years & put it down to kneeling a lot as a motor mechanic & an ice hockey injury. It came to a head after a fast walk on Holy Island when I noticed stiffness & swelling. That night I was in agony & got in at the docs ASAP but it was a while before I got an X ray which wasn't conclusive, so waited ages longer for am MRI scan which confirmed a torn meniscus.
Had the op in April 2019, off work for 3 weeks & the bike for 4 & even then it was just a case of letting my legs go round carefully rather than putting much effort in. As someone else said, about 6 months to be pretty much ok.
shermer75
What are the symptoms? Pain or locking?
Right now just pain ... though this might be more through age related wisdom that I stopped when it hurt (something I'd not have done 15 years ago or perhaps even 10). From what I remember its very similar to the pain from in the past from when it locked which is what makes me cautious.
