tennislady
New User
I have a medial meniscus tear and am looking at surgery for repair. Tore a few months ago on the court. How is the rehab time, and how long can I expect to be out for?
Anyone had meniscus repair surgery on knee?
- Thread starter tennislady
- Start date
ollinger
G.O.A.T.
Medial meniscus repair has an EXTREMELY variable outcome, as you'll find if you research it. Some, like mine, go very well and I was out on the court in a month with minimal rehab (8 years ago.) Others, including two friends of mine, produce almost no benefit. Prognosis is a bit of a crapshoot.
mikeler
Moderator
I've torn mine in both knees. The worst was a basketball injury that took a year to heal in my right knee. I hurt my left knee twice in the last few years with improper sliding technique on a clay court. Both those were minor and I was back on the court a few weeks later. If it were me, I'd wait it out but that is a decision you should make with your doctor.
Cindysphinx
G.O.A.T.
Are you really talking about a repair? Or are you talking about having some of your meniscus removed?
I had a meniscus tear in my left knee in 2005. Tried PT, etc. Didn't work. Got to the point where I could barely bend and straighten and had much difficulty walking. Had surgery to trim the meniscus (and a plica ressection).
Took a long time to get back. I could play tennis very badly after a few months, but complete recovery took about a year.
Last year, I had a knee injury in my right knee, and MRI says there might be a small tear on the lateral side. I'm trying to live with it, as it is much less severe than the previous injury. It's a shame, because I can tell that the surgically repaired knee is much more robust and reliable than the other one.
I had a meniscus tear in my left knee in 2005. Tried PT, etc. Didn't work. Got to the point where I could barely bend and straighten and had much difficulty walking. Had surgery to trim the meniscus (and a plica ressection).
Took a long time to get back. I could play tennis very badly after a few months, but complete recovery took about a year.
Last year, I had a knee injury in my right knee, and MRI says there might be a small tear on the lateral side. I'm trying to live with it, as it is much less severe than the previous injury. It's a shame, because I can tell that the surgically repaired knee is much more robust and reliable than the other one.
Frank Silbermann
Professional
It would help to know the location of the tear on the medial meniscus, the direction of the tear, the size of the tear, and whether the parts have separated. All these issues affect both the treatment and the prognosis.
Tennislady, I highly recommend getting the arp wave Therapy before your surgery. You may not need surgery after you have the arp wave therapy. If I could have a do over or mulligan, I would have had the arp wave therapy first. You can learn about the arp wave on youtube or arpwave.com.
Yep,
I, had a nice long chat with an orthopod operations room nurse after doing a dynamic duo on my knee. ACL + MCL. She said I was lucky not to have the trifecta. Percentage chance of issues later in life are just higher when you damage the Meniscus.
Ken Honecker
Rookie
I was just going to ask this when I saw this post. I had an MRI taken Monday of my knee that the docs are mighty sure I torn the meniscus in. Actually I first hurt it a year ago and developed a Bakers Cyst behind the knee and then tweaked it again in March and it is now swollen fore and aft. While compared to a "bad knee" it isn't much but I'm getting tired of it being swollen all the time and really bothering me on stairs most of the time. Also sleeping isn't as easy with the darn thing aching.
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Cindysphinx
G.O.A.T.
^What's your plan, Ken?
if your newly injured knee is not that bad maybe the repair and recovery would be easier and quicker than what you went thru on your other knee. have you asked the doctor about this??
maybe you can have 2 robust and reliable knees???
Cindysphinx
G.O.A.T.
^I'm being a weenie.
It's such a *bother* to get the surgery. I would need to get a physical and cardiac evaluation. I would be out for 8 weeks if I'm lucky, longer if I'm not. I would have a lot of pain for the first week or so. I would have to do a bunch of PT. All of this would cost me co-pays, and that adds up.
I dunno. I'm still thinking about it. Maybe I could play the fall season, then get the surgery in November and be back in action by February?
It's such a *bother* to get the surgery. I would need to get a physical and cardiac evaluation. I would be out for 8 weeks if I'm lucky, longer if I'm not. I would have a lot of pain for the first week or so. I would have to do a bunch of PT. All of this would cost me co-pays, and that adds up.
I dunno. I'm still thinking about it. Maybe I could play the fall season, then get the surgery in November and be back in action by February?
its something to think about. only you and your doctor know whats best for you
Ken Honecker
Rookie
I've just about talked myself into the surgery unless when the doc calls he's found something unforseen in the MRI. I was really hoping for one of those scope the knee and play on the weekend deals you hear about with NFL players. Sure I'm not in the shape they are but compared to a bad knee mine is nothing, it's more of a painful anoying knee that didn't hurt until I injured and doesn't seem to want to heal on it's own.
I'm a little troubled by reading here and elsewhere how some people don't gain anything and it takes months to rehab. My doc was talking about me being kind to it for a month but I've got to get him to fill in the gaps and tell me just how kind I need to be. As for PT I'm the sort of guy that might start that as soon as I get home from the hospital. A few years back I had a lump removed from my breast and while I was lying there with them cutting on me I asked how long before I could do bench presses.
Currently my plan is to play tennis with it for another couple of months, miss fall softball and get it worked on in Oct. and then be ready to play volleyball the start of December.
may want to do it in sept in case there is any complication( i hope not)
Ken Honecker
Rookie
I really don't know if I could budget too much time for rehab. If the darn thing hadn't been swollen for a year I would be still hoping that I could simply wear things smooth inside there from daily use. For a few minutes last week a thought I might have fixed it by abuse like I did my frozen shoulder. I was churning away on the elipitical trainer and the bolt holding the pedal sheared off. So suddenly all 281 pounds of finely tuned weekend warrior dropped about 16 inches onto the bad leg. What was really funny is that for about a half hour it felt really good. I thought perhaps I might have simply powdered all the offending tissue but then it returned to it troublesome state.
tennislady
New User
Having the surgery this coming week. Thanks for all the posts. Hope to be back on the courts within a month. Knee not getting better on its own.
Ken Honecker
Rookie
The doc called about my MRI results today and it was another of those funny conversations. I was sleeping and my eldest came in and woke me and said he was on the phone and that I "would greatly benefit from surgery". He told me I had 2 tears in my meniscus and one of them was acting like a one way valve allowing fluid to leak into the area behind my knee but not letting it escape. He then said an ace bandage might help hold things in their proper place. When I told him I broke in a new fella in tennis yesterday and my knee was quite swollen after playing for 3 hours he told me I "was their hero".
Then we got into particulars about what days they do surgery and how long I would be laid up. He said 2-3 of pretty much laying about and then 2 weeks being careful so I didn't mess things up. A couple visits to the physical therapist were recommended. Twice he said that recovery was usually a 4 week deal but for someone like me it probably would be less.
I'm pretty happy that they found something they are confident of being able to repair. The MRI results must look really, really, bad since doctors are usually pretty careful about bandying phrases like "greatly benefit" about. The doctor still seems to be in awe over my ripping my frozen shoulder loose by playing tennis. I'm thinking of sending him an autographed photo of it for his wall.
I'm going to wait until October to get cut so I don't miss out on much Summer tennis fun
Here's a shot of my arm after getting home from tennis the time I "fixed" my frozen shoulder and put the second tear in my miniscus.
[/IMG]
Then we got into particulars about what days they do surgery and how long I would be laid up. He said 2-3 of pretty much laying about and then 2 weeks being careful so I didn't mess things up. A couple visits to the physical therapist were recommended. Twice he said that recovery was usually a 4 week deal but for someone like me it probably would be less.
I'm pretty happy that they found something they are confident of being able to repair. The MRI results must look really, really, bad since doctors are usually pretty careful about bandying phrases like "greatly benefit" about. The doctor still seems to be in awe over my ripping my frozen shoulder loose by playing tennis. I'm thinking of sending him an autographed photo of it for his wall.
I'm going to wait until October to get cut so I don't miss out on much Summer tennis fun
Here's a shot of my arm after getting home from tennis the time I "fixed" my frozen shoulder and put the second tear in my miniscus.
Cindysphinx
G.O.A.T.
Ken,
One quick piece of advice about these doctors and their estimates of recovery time: Don't believe the hype.
There was an article in the NY times recently about a guy who needed heart surgery. He believed the doc's assurances about the short recovery time. Nope, didn't happen. For some reason, docs are very quick to cite the shortest recovery time, not the longest or most realistic. Maybe they want us optimistic so we'll push ourselves? Maybe they don't want to scare us away from the operating room? I dunno.
In my case, they said the usual stuff they say about arthroscopic knee surgery: 4-6 weeks. Yeah, right. Not even close. It was still worth it -- my left knee is totally awesome now, 5 years after my surgery. But it can be a long road back, especially for us older people. Tennis is demanding for perfectly healthy knees. It makes sense that it takes a lot of rehab for surgically repaired knees to be able to return to tennis.
Good luck, and I hope you are one of those 4-6 week guys!
One quick piece of advice about these doctors and their estimates of recovery time: Don't believe the hype.
There was an article in the NY times recently about a guy who needed heart surgery. He believed the doc's assurances about the short recovery time. Nope, didn't happen. For some reason, docs are very quick to cite the shortest recovery time, not the longest or most realistic. Maybe they want us optimistic so we'll push ourselves? Maybe they don't want to scare us away from the operating room? I dunno.
In my case, they said the usual stuff they say about arthroscopic knee surgery: 4-6 weeks. Yeah, right. Not even close. It was still worth it -- my left knee is totally awesome now, 5 years after my surgery. But it can be a long road back, especially for us older people. Tennis is demanding for perfectly healthy knees. It makes sense that it takes a lot of rehab for surgically repaired knees to be able to return to tennis.
Good luck, and I hope you are one of those 4-6 week guys!
gotta say I agree with Cindy 100% on the timetables. First off, if you actually get a repair, you'll be non-weight-bearing for 6-8 weeks. Sounds like your doc is talking meniscectomy (removal). Never good, it means you're headed towards bone-on-bone and eventual arthritis. Incentive to stay trim and exercise.
I had 40% of my medial meniscus removed (posterior horn) after a failed repair. That was six months ago, and I am just now starting to move normally.
Cindy's right about the age thing too. The older you are, you will recover more slowly, even if you are dedicated in rehab, exercise, diet, and all that. People in their 40s and up don't like to hear it, but it's true...
I had 40% of my medial meniscus removed (posterior horn) after a failed repair. That was six months ago, and I am just now starting to move normally.
Cindy's right about the age thing too. The older you are, you will recover more slowly, even if you are dedicated in rehab, exercise, diet, and all that. People in their 40s and up don't like to hear it, but it's true...
Cindysphinx
G.O.A.T.
Wow, 40%. That's a lot. Was that all in one bite?
My doc said he took out about 15% of the meniscus. But I also had a plica ressection, which may have slowed things a bit. The plica had turned to scar tissue, and as it was explained to me, it had become so tough that it was binding so things couldn't move freely.
I am hopeful that the knee won't become arthritic. It gives me absolutely no trouble at all now. It will balk if I try to run for more than an hour, but I have found a solution for this.
I don't run for more than an hour. Problem solved.
yep, one bite, but you have to realize it was after an attempt to repair a sizable tear (during an acl recon). In retrospect, it probably would have been better just to leave the meniscus alone, because it was not causing me any problems (unlike the acl). But, hindsight is 20/20...I read several articles *after* my aclr/attempted mm repair stating that stable tears, especially for someone my age, are best left alone. Hard to say what the right thing to do is sometimes. still improving, so I am still hopeful.
Cindysphinx
G.O.A.T.
How can you know it was a stable tear, though? Also, I've heard that repair attempts as part of an ACL recon often do very well.
I'm just trying to make you feel better about your decision to attempt the repair!
Anyway, hang in there with the recovery. The thing that helped me turn the corner was lots and lots of lunges.
I'm just trying to make you feel better about your decision to attempt the repair!
Anyway, hang in there with the recovery. The thing that helped me turn the corner was lots and lots of lunges.
LOBALOT
Legend
Well it looks like LOBALOT tore his meniscus last march running up for a Lob shot. Reading this thread doesn't make me feel confident that a full recovery is feasible.
It says:
IMPRESSION:
1. Small, incomplete radial tear at the junction of the posterior horn and body medial meniscus.
2. Prominent enthesophytes at the quadriceps insertion. Prominent disease at the patellar tendon origin and insertion with question of superimposed tendinosis.
The second is related to a condition I have called DISH which in my non-medical mind means I develop bone spurs all over the place and it looks like I have one there.
I have been having knee pain making it nearly impossible to play tennis. Having read this thread it makes me wonder what recorse I have.
I see the Ortho on Wednesday.
It says:
IMPRESSION:
1. Small, incomplete radial tear at the junction of the posterior horn and body medial meniscus.
2. Prominent enthesophytes at the quadriceps insertion. Prominent disease at the patellar tendon origin and insertion with question of superimposed tendinosis.
The second is related to a condition I have called DISH which in my non-medical mind means I develop bone spurs all over the place and it looks like I have one there.
I have been having knee pain making it nearly impossible to play tennis. Having read this thread it makes me wonder what recorse I have.
I see the Ortho on Wednesday.
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ollinger
G.O.A.T.
Those enthesophytes are bone spurs, so your condition seems more complex than just a meniscus tear. You may want to ask the ortho if they can be contributing to your pain.
LOBALOT
Legend
Those enthesophytes are bone spurs, so your condition seems more complex than just a meniscus tear. You may want to ask the ortho if they can be contributing to your pain.
Thank you. Yes, I have a condition called DISH which basically means I have bone spurs forming all over the place.
I have one in my neck that makes it difficult for me to swallow/eat. Unfortunately, it doesn't make it difficult for me to drink
. I have them running down my spine and arthritic hips making it hard for me pick up items I have dropped (say keys or something).
It also impacts me on my serve as I have to get rid of a baseball cap if I am wearing one as I can't bend my neck/head back so if I wear a cap the ball disappears above the brim on my toss and then re-appears as it falls which is problematic.
I still manage to play at a decent level with all all the arthritis pain but with this meniscus tear I cannot. I see the ortho on Wednesday and it is my hope he ignores the spur and just maps out a course of action for the tear.
I don't want any additional complexity and want to get back on the court.
EggSalad
Hall of Fame
I had a meniscus tear a couple years ago. The outside of the meniscus gets blood flow and will heal on its own with rest. That is where mine was and I took 8 weeks off and was better.
LOBALOT
Legend
Unfortunately, mine is on the inside of the knee where there is little blood flow so they are removing the meniscus at that location on 10/29. They say it is faster recovery but perhaps long term implications.
Shroud
Talk Tennis Guru
FWIW I saw some vid where it was said that its not blood flow but fluid that heals it. sadly I can't find it now. It worked for me and I never got surgery. Basically just did bicycles lying on my back. worked up to 3 sets of 3 minutes. Been fine. I got fat and tore it again. Same thing.
Here is a vid that might be worth a watch not knowing about your specific situation take it with a grain of salt. There are comments from a tennis player that had 2 tears in different knees and is playing tennis at 57
Its important to distinguish between degenerative vs acute tears. Generally, in a young person with an acute tear in a healthy meniscus, they always try to repair it if it causes symptoms. If it cant be repaired they remove the damaged parts, but this is something you dont want unless its completely necessary. The meniscus is the padding/shock absorber in the knee, protecting the cartilage, so you generally want to keep most of it, to avoid early osteoarthrosis.
LOBALOT
Legend
What stinks right now is my right knee is now killing me more than my left knee so I am just hobbling all around. I am hoping it is gout and started taking Colchicine as I cannot take Naproxen this close to the surgery. Man, I just want to play tennis and hang out with my pals so this is driving me crazy!
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
Have you tried dietary changes to help with your gout? One of my friends has had gout since his late 20s and diet seems to have a big affect for him.
Clean diet for gout.
Clean kitchen for grout.
LOBALOT
Legend
I do some. It is really not possible to totally remove purines from ones diet. If you check you will see there are some in anything one eats.
I do not eat as much meat as I used to when I was younger. I love grilled asparagus and have cut back on that. Same with Spinach.
I am on Allopurinol as well and then take the Colchicine when I have an attack.
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
Hope your pain subsides and you can get back to playing tennis pain-free or at least with less pain after your surgery.
LOBALOT
Legend
Thank you. As one gets older they appreciate an activity that they can get a workout, is fun, and social with their pals.
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
Glucosamine helped both me and one of my coaches in weeks for me, days for him. Or maybe our meniscuses just popped back in.
Myself I had one surgery done by a great ortho in high school, but ran away from a couple more ones on the same knee. It turned out I was right, I didn't need a second surgery on my right knee, while my left one only tested me once, about 10 years ago, but fixed itself with Glucosamine in a couple of weeks.
GL!
LOBALOT
Legend
Thanks. I took Glucosamine several years ago but needed to stop as I was unable to swallow the pills and the whole grinding/shake for breakfast process was too much.
I am hesitant to have the procedure on Tuesday but am having difficulty/pain standing up from a chair, walking, and it bothers me when I sleep so am going to go ahead with the procedure as I want to get back to playing.
dannyslicer
Semi-Pro
Yes, glucosamine has been debunked as an effective treatment for osteoarthritis:
- Studies
Multiple studies have shown that glucosamine and chondroitin supplements are no more effective than a placebo for treating osteoarthritis. One study even found that people taking the supplements reported worse symptoms than those taking a placebo.
dannyslicer
Semi-Pro
In reality, you just healed on your own
dannyslicer
Semi-Pro
LOBALOT
Legend
That is the exact thing. I know it is crazy but it was on and off. Some days no problem. I competed in USTA, etc. Some days it was bad.
Then all of a sudden I went to indoor season and all the running and hitting balls with all the drills and it was giving me problems.
I haven't played now in couple weeks and it locks and is stiff and painful enough to keep me up at night.
I know I don't get it either.
Then all of a sudden I went to indoor season and all the running and hitting balls with all the drills and it was giving me problems.
I haven't played now in couple weeks and it locks and is stiff and painful enough to keep me up at night.
I know I don't get it either.
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
On the contrary, some studies validated it for meniscus healing.(not arthritis) Plus our own experiences.
dannyslicer
Semi-Pro
What is the procedure you're getting?
Cutting out part of it or entire thing or repair?
LOBALOT
Legend
So if you make a C with your right hand looking down at my left knee that is the Meniscus on the inside portion of my left knee. If you take the flabby part of the C between your index finger and thumb on the inside of the "C" I have a tear there that is flapping around causing issues. They are cutting around that and removing it leaving the rest of the Meniscus alone so basically I will have a small notch there with a smooth edge there.
dannyslicer
Semi-Pro
Is flabby middle a common area to get a tear?
What about tears at the tip of index finger or thumb?
LOBALOT
Legend
Man, doin't think a got a wink of sleep last night. My left knee, thigh, and calf are twice the size of my right. I have some suitcase sized contraption to compress and cool the site I need to wear it as much as possible. The pictures shows these staple type things they used to reattach things.
The outcome is they desired to save the meniscus and repair it vs. taking any out.
I am non-weight baring for 6-8 weeks and no tennis for 6-8 months.
This was what they performed in the OR:
An anterolateral portal was then made adjacent to the tendon and the arthroscope was placed in knee joint. The patient's patellofemoral joint showed no evidence of cartilage damage. Patient's medial and lateral gutter showed no evidence of loose body or abnormality. The medial compartment was entered and demonstrated a medial meniscal posterior horn radial tear. Given how little articular cartilage damage that he had within his knee with a full-thickness radial tear extending to the capsule I felt he was in his best interest to try to preserve his meniscus. We went ahead and came in with a rasp and debrided between the tear sites. We then came in with a series of 4 all inside sutures in a #configuration. We placed 2 vertical on either side of the radial tear. We then placed 2 horizontal's superior and on the inferior portion to compress across the tear. We were able to reapproximate the meniscal tear edges together nicely. Probing demonstrated no evidence of further tearing or instability. An anteromedial portal was made using direct visualization. The patient's notch showed the ACL to be intact. The lateral compartment was entered showing the cartilage of the lateral meniscus, lateral femoral condyle, and lateral tibial plateau to be intact.
From there we went into the intercondylar notch and we debrided the soft tissues of the nonarticular a portion. We then came in with a microfracture awl and we went down into the subchondral bone so that we could bring biologic contents from the cancellous bone into the knee to help aid in healing.
The knee was drained of fluid. Portal sites were closed with interrupted 3-0 Monocryl sutures. The surgical site was then dressed with Steri-Strips, 4x4s, ABDs, sterile webril, and an ACE wrap. The patient tolerated the procedure well. All needle, sponge, and lap counts were correct at the conclusion of the case.
The outcome is they desired to save the meniscus and repair it vs. taking any out.
I am non-weight baring for 6-8 weeks and no tennis for 6-8 months.
This was what they performed in the OR:
An anterolateral portal was then made adjacent to the tendon and the arthroscope was placed in knee joint. The patient's patellofemoral joint showed no evidence of cartilage damage. Patient's medial and lateral gutter showed no evidence of loose body or abnormality. The medial compartment was entered and demonstrated a medial meniscal posterior horn radial tear. Given how little articular cartilage damage that he had within his knee with a full-thickness radial tear extending to the capsule I felt he was in his best interest to try to preserve his meniscus. We went ahead and came in with a rasp and debrided between the tear sites. We then came in with a series of 4 all inside sutures in a #configuration. We placed 2 vertical on either side of the radial tear. We then placed 2 horizontal's superior and on the inferior portion to compress across the tear. We were able to reapproximate the meniscal tear edges together nicely. Probing demonstrated no evidence of further tearing or instability. An anteromedial portal was made using direct visualization. The patient's notch showed the ACL to be intact. The lateral compartment was entered showing the cartilage of the lateral meniscus, lateral femoral condyle, and lateral tibial plateau to be intact.
From there we went into the intercondylar notch and we debrided the soft tissues of the nonarticular a portion. We then came in with a microfracture awl and we went down into the subchondral bone so that we could bring biologic contents from the cancellous bone into the knee to help aid in healing.
The knee was drained of fluid. Portal sites were closed with interrupted 3-0 Monocryl sutures. The surgical site was then dressed with Steri-Strips, 4x4s, ABDs, sterile webril, and an ACE wrap. The patient tolerated the procedure well. All needle, sponge, and lap counts were correct at the conclusion of the case.
dannyslicer
Semi-Pro
LOBALOT
Legend
61 young years old. I guess my knees are in pretty good shape otherwise according to what they said.
LOBALOT
Legend
What I appreciate is the Doctor said that tennis is my passion. I may suck at it now but I understand the sport, I enjoy playing, and I enjoy the social parts of the game. He saw that and said he did his best to try to keep me going in the sport for another 10 years or so.
I must be decent enough of an athlete as one doesn't completely tear their hamstring tendon and 5 years later completely tear their meniscus standing around a tennis court doing nothing.
socallefty
G.O.A.T.
Wow - that seems long. I had menisectomy at the age of 52 and was playing doubles in 4 weeks, singles in 5 weeks and playing everyday after 2 months. I’ve heard of other club members who returned to tennis after 3-4 months when they did a meniscus repair - one guy had to rest for 5 months and that’s the longest I’ve heard of. All the best.
