Total medial meniscus removal - tennis still possible?

[GlennK]

I posted this in the Adult recreation forum but I think this might be a better location.

I went in last week for a meniscus tear repair and after waking up from the anesthesia the surgeon tells me he did a total meniscectomy. I was too shocked and drugged to ask any questions but plan on doing so tomorrow at my follow up appointment.

My question to all of you is if you know anyone who has been able to return to an active sport (preferably tennis) after having the meniscus completely removed. My only reason for having the surgery was the pain I felt while playing and wanted to be able to continue tennis many more years.

I am 55 years old with about 15 pounds of extra baggage. Any insight to other's recoveries from the same surgery would be much appreciated.

Thanks, Glenn

 

[ollinger]

Not a good idea. No meniscus means bone against bone trauma, and the added trauma of playing tennis could be a quick pathway to knee replacement surgery.

 

[SteveI]

I am so sorry. You might be able to play a bit of old guys doubles once in a while. Serve big and hit the 1st ball you get to try to end the point. What does the other knee look like???

Are you a candidate for a partial replacement on the one just post op?

BTW.... Just asking here... Did the MRI show so much damage???

 

[GlennK]

Thanks for the reply and consolation. I had meniscus repair on the other knee three years ago. They also did micro-fracture surgery on that knee due to bone on bone. That has held up great. I do (did) wear a brace with metal side supports so that helped.

I had my followup with the surgeon last Friday and he was optimistic I could get back on the court. He said the advanced arthritis is more of a concern than the removed meniscus. He told me he did the total medial meniscus removal, cut out a tear on the outer meniscus, and did micro-fracture on the bone on bone. So it will be at least 8 weeks before any hard exercise. I did start PT yesterday to build up the muscles supporting the knee.

He did say that if I continue to play tennis (and doubles only - your old man doubles I guess), I will wear out that knee in 10 years and will need to replace both. But I am OK with that trade rather than no sports.

Overall, I am much happier after my follow-up visit. Ask me in late April if I still am.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Thanks for the reply and consolation. I had meniscus repair on the other knee three years ago. They also did micro-fracture surgery on that knee due to bone on bone. That has held up great. I do (did) wear a brace with metal side supports so that helped.

I had my followup with the surgeon last Friday and he was optimistic I could get back on the court. He said the advanced arthritis is more of a concern than the removed meniscus. He told me he did the total medial meniscus removal, cut out a tear on the outer meniscus, and did micro-fracture on the bone on bone. So it will be at least 8 weeks before any hard exercise. I did start PT yesterday to build up the muscles supporting the knee.

He did say that if I continue to play tennis (and doubles only - your old man doubles I guess), I will wear out that knee in 10 years and will need to replace both. But I am OK with that trade rather than no sports.

Overall, I am much happier after my follow-up visit. Ask me in late April if I still am.

So... you ended up having a surgery for:

- Total medial meniscus removal
- Partial meniscus removal for the other portion
- microfracture

I can't see how that 8 weeks timeline makes sense when you add in the microfracture procedure.

Also, meniscus removal doesn't mean "bone on bone". Bones are covered with articular cartilage that allows them to glide over one another smooth. Your microfracture was done with the hope that new articular cartilage will be laid down on the surface of the bone.

 

[SteveI]

Thanks for the reply and consolation. I had meniscus repair on the other knee three years ago. They also did micro-fracture surgery on that knee due to bone on bone. That has held up great. I do (did) wear a brace with metal side supports so that helped.

I had my followup with the surgeon last Friday and he was optimistic I could get back on the court. He said the advanced arthritis is more of a concern than the removed meniscus. He told me he did the total medial meniscus removal, cut out a tear on the outer meniscus, and did micro-fracture on the bone on bone. So it will be at least 8 weeks before any hard exercise. I did start PT yesterday to build up the muscles supporting the knee.

He did say that if I continue to play tennis (and doubles only - your old man doubles I guess), I will wear out that knee in 10 years and will need to replace both. But I am OK with that trade rather than no sports.

Overall, I am much happier after my follow-up visit. Ask me in late April if I still am.

10 years seems a long time for playing tennis with bone on bone in both knees. I will be in the same position in a few years. Pain management will be your key factor. Try to keep the inflammation down. I would say, never play on back to back days.. which leaves you out of tourneys.. unless you plan to lose in the 1st round all the time. Do some reading on what foods help with keeping inflammation down and investigate supplements that also help. You are the only one that will know how much you can do. I just did rehab on my left knee last year... right about this time. My PT and Doctor... did not let me hit a tennis ball for 12 weeks.. walking and biking... Running should be out for at these 12 weeks. My repair was not as extensive as yours. Bottom line...I found that full recovery on both knees was not complete until about 6-8 months. I know pro athletes can come back in two months. Look at what happened to Roger when he came back to soon. I was waiting to hear he was having issues.. and guess what.. he did. Then I saw an interview with him after he won the Aussie Open and he stated that he came back too soon and then made a deal with his team he would take an extra few months to heal. So take it easy.. heal... . My PTs words to me were... low impact.. and slow...

Good luck... I hope you make it back!!!

 

[GlennK]

So... you ended up having a surgery for:

- Total medial meniscus removal
- Partial meniscus removal for the other portion
- microfracture

I can't see how that 8 weeks timeline makes sense when you add in the microfracture procedure.

The 8 weeks was the earliest and when my followup is scheduled. Perhaps I was being too optimistic?

Also, meniscus removal doesn't mean "bone on bone". Bones are covered with articular cartilage that allows them to glide over one another smooth. Your microfracture was done with the hope that new articular cartilage will be laid down on the surface of the bone.

Correct. The microfracture was needed because while he was in there, he found the bone on bone. This was the same thing found on my right knee three years ago.

 

[Rattler]

It depends one each individual of course, but The same thing happened to me as well...in 1998

Rehab took a while and tennis took longer; however, I can and do play everyday...you just have to take care of yourself...I don't play singles anymore, but that has more to do with my age (over 50)...I enjoy doubles more...mainly because my chances of winning go up expontentially (lol)

I recommend physical therapy...do it diligently.

Your game will likely change, but that is par for the course and will provode you with a new mental, physical and strategic challenge.

 

[SteveI]

8 weeks is very optimistic. My PT was a DI runner and volleyball player.. she was like no way.. you are hitting tennis balls for at least 12 weeks and that was stationary hitting.. and feeding balls.. Volleys.. hitting serves... no using lower body much.

 

[SteveI]

It depends one each individual of course, but The same thing happened to me as well...in 1998

Rehab took a while and tennis took longer; however, I can and do play everyday...you just have to take care of yourself...I don't play singles anymore, but that has more to do with my age (over 50)...I enjoy doubles more...mainly because my chances of winning go up expontentially (lol)

I recommend physical therapy...do it diligently.

Your game will likely change, but that is par for the course and will provode you with a new mental, physical and strategic challenge.

Excellent!!!

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

The 8 weeks was the earliest and when my followup is scheduled. Perhaps I was being too optimistic?

Correct. The microfracture was needed because while he was in there, he found the bone on bone. This was the same thing found on my right knee three years ago.

Your articular cartilage has worn through so the underlaying bone is exposed. But to whoever that said meniscus removal means bone on bone, that's just not accurate at all.

8 weeks seem impossibly fast for new collagen to be formed, shaped, remodeled, and layered into functioning articular cartilage.

 

[GlennK]

Thanks everyone. This is the kind of information I was hoping to read when I posted here. I can't remember my time line on my right knee microfracture, but thought it was 10 weeks. I worked the PT hard and did the exercises at home religiously. Continued to do them after PT was over.

My last 5 years in USTA has been both singles and doubles, but last year mostly singles. I prefer singles which is how I wore out my knees probably. But I am letting my USTA membership expire this year and will most likely only play rec when (and if) I come back. I have plenty of chances to play rec and there are drills during the winter.

Pain is already less now (13 days after surgery) then before surgery. So I am very happy to have had the work done.

 

[SteveI]

Thanks everyone. This is the kind of information I was hoping to read when I posted here. I can't remember my time line on my right knee microfracture, but thought it was 10 weeks. I worked the PT hard and did the exercises at home religiously. Continued to do them after PT was over.

My last 5 years in USTA has been both singles and doubles, but last year mostly singles. I prefer singles which is how I wore out my knees probably. But I am letting my USTA membership expire this year and will most likely only play rec when (and if) I come back. I have plenty of chances to play rec and there are drills during the winter.

Pain is already less now (13 days after surgery) then before surgery. So I am very happy to have had the work done.

Good Luck... Hope you have great success going forward...