Total medial meniscus removal - tennis still possible?

[GlennK]

4 years ago, my right knee was supposed to have the medial meniscus tear repaired. But due to no cartilage on the outside, the surgeon did microfracture surgery also. I was able to returrn to tennis with a brace and that knee has been fine.

Today, I had the left knee medial meniscus operated on. After waking up, the surgeon tells me he had to do a total meniscectomy (spelling?), meaning total removal of the meniscus.

My question is will I be able to play tennis again? Has anyone or anyone you know successfully done so without a medial meniscus?

If it helps, I am 55 years old and about 15 pounds overweight (yes, I know that does not help but this is down from 35 pounds when I had the first surgery).

 

[Deleted member 23235]

4 years ago, my right knee was supposed to have the medial meniscus tear repaired. But due to no cartilage on the outside, the surgeon did microfracture surgery also. I was able to returrn to tennis with a brace and that knee has been fine.

Today, I had the left knee medial meniscus operated on. After waking up, the surgeon tells me he had to do a total meniscectomy (spelling?), meaning total removal of the meniscus.

My question is will I be able to play tennis again? Has anyone or anyone you know successfully done so without a medial meniscus?

If it helps, I am 55 years old and about 15 pounds overweight (yes, I know that does not help but this is down from 35 pounds when I had the first surgery).

I'd imagine the bone on bone grinding will lead to issues....

But to that end, my buddy recently got gel shots, and he still plays (on clay at 4.5 level but he's in his mid 30s),... but he just had a tear not full removal.

What's the doctor recommend?


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[GlennK]

What's the doctor recommend?


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Thanks for replying.

Sorry I thought I posted about the surgeon. I was a little surprised (and drugged) and didn`t think to ask this afternoon. I have an appt Friday 2/10 and will ask then.

 

[GrassCourtFan]

In terms of ability, the answer is obviously yes. If you can walk and wave a racquet, you can play, albeit maybe play doubles at the bottom of 3.0.

It's more of a question about whether even that level of exertion on a court will lead to worsening issues and re-injury. And for that you have to ask your doctor, we can't tell you over the internet.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

4 years ago, my right knee was supposed to have the medial meniscus tear repaired. But due to no cartilage on the outside, the surgeon did microfracture surgery also. I was able to returrn to tennis with a brace and that knee has been fine.

Today, I had the left knee medial meniscus operated on. After waking up, the surgeon tells me he had to do a total meniscectomy (spelling?), meaning total removal of the meniscus.

My question is will I be able to play tennis again? Has anyone or anyone you know successfully done so without a medial meniscus?

If it helps, I am 55 years old and about 15 pounds overweight (yes, I know that does not help but this is down from 35 pounds when I had the first surgery).

Either way, I wish you well.

Most things are possible. Perhaps a better question is "what are the tradeoffs?". If there's a high probability of it leading to arthritis in 10 years, maybe a good time to find another sport. OTOH, if it just means you'll get a full knee replacement sooner rather than later, keeping in great shape will certainly help with your recovery.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

the surgeon tells me he had to do a total meniscectomy (spelling?), meaning total removal of the meniscus.

Can you ask him if he does "crappy backhand-ectomies"?

 

[GlennK]

In terms of ability, the answer is obviously yes. If you can walk and wave a racquet, you can play, albeit maybe play doubles at the bottom of 3.0.

It's more of a question about whether even that level of exertion on a court will lead to worsening issues and re-injury. And for that you have to ask your doctor, we can't tell you over the internet.

Thanks Max. I wasn`t looking for medical advice here. Instead, I was hoping someone knew of an athhete (rec, college, pro) that continued a sport after a total meniscectomy.

Happy days are here again!

 

[GlennK]

Either way, I wish you well.

Most things are possible. Perhaps a better question is "what are the tradeoffs?". If there's a high probability of it leading to arthritis in 10 years, maybe a good time to find another sport. OTOH, if it just means you'll get a full knee replacement sooner rather than later, keeping in great shape will certainly help with your recovery.

Ping-pong? Seriously, I like sports for competittiveness, but also for the fitness. Not sure any sport that helps with fitness that doesn`t involve tthe knees.

 

[Mongolmike]

I'm actually surprised he did the meniscus repair. My understanding is due to the influence of the insurance companies that they lean towards NOT doing that type of repair for people over 50, and instead are pushing for full replacement when all other options have been tried.

To your original ?, no sorry, can't help you there. I also doubt if the gel shots would help enough to play tennis, as I had multiple shots with two different varieties of the gel (3 shots of each), and I still had most of my meniscus to help cushion... and they didn't help.

Edit: By the way, IMO, the gel isn't really a gel, it's more like KY gel or thicker baby oil. It is a fluid, not like you are getting something firm and pliable like silly putty in there to cushion. It's injected with a thin needle so it's not a thicker substance like some people might imagine.

 

[stapletonj]

well.... my best guess is that you should look into the possibility of a meniscus replacement (from a cadaver). Not a likely scenario due to your age....
I would also get a 2nd opinion from the office of the famed Dr. James Andrews at UAB.
Don't be surprised if insurance refuses to pay.