Just got the MRI results and doc says I have a torn miniscus. On my way to the ortho doc now. Anyone with experience who can let me know what to expect? thanks
I have had a torn miniscus since 1992 - never got the surgery but the “flap” of torn cartilage flipped itself flat & hasn’t been aggrivated in 12 years. Either way (surgery or not) expect to be taking some time off from running & biking. I can’t remember exactly how much time, maybe 6 to 8 weeks? It was just lots of swelling & pain for a while, then it simply faded away. I’d imagine that with surgery the recovery might even be quicker.
Thanks. I’m hearing anywhere from 3-7 weeks downtime if it gets scoped and/or snipped before I can start back in again. boo.
I had my left medial meniscus scoped in Nov '03. I was back running (very lightly - smooth trails only) and hiking within 2 weeks, and was on my trainer doing light spin workouts even sooner.
My Doc told me to let the pain be my guide, and not to push it, but otherwise resume normal functions sooner rather than later.
(and in case you were wondering, my Ortho doc is not Doctor Nick Rivera - “Hi Everybody!”, he’s chief of the department and was written up in New Yorker Magazine as being the best in his field in the area)
Anyway, as always, YMMV, but my 'scoped knee is much better now than my “good” one. (I will eventually need to get the other one done too - blah.)
The only thing that slows me down now is my swim and run, not my knee. ; )
I’ve had a torn a miniscus on each of my knees repaired with arthroscopic surgery. Each time the recovery was very quick and easy. I was able to get on my trainer for 30 minutes after only 4 days. A gradual increase in time and intensity had me back to normal in a few weeks. Running took about 3 weeks. But once I started running again the gains came easily. ICE. ICE. ICE. Good luck with the surgery and the rehab.
Frank
I had surgery for a torn medial miniscus back in 2001. The knee was swollen for three or four days after the surgery. My doctor had me riding my trainer three times a day for 10 minutes the day after. At that time I also began doing a series of exercises that the surgeon wanted me to do. Within ten days I was in the pool walking and swimming and after two weeks I was riding outdoors. After three weeks I was running. I believe I started out at three miles and didn’t have any pain at all. In the last three years I’ve completed a lot of sprint and oly distance tri’s. Did a half in '03 without any problems either. My knee is sore from time-to-time. Usually not enough to keep me from training or cause me to take any over the counter or prescribed medication though. Good luck with your knee… John L.
Good news! Recovery is much shorter than you think. I tore my medial meniscus in May(doctor said it was a substantial tear). I was able to swim and bike with it without too much problem. However, running was a nightmare–sometimes impossible. I made it through the racing season and decided to have it repaired.
Had the surgery Friday November 12–took about 40 minutes and then another 40 minutes in recovery. The rest of the day was pretty painful, but by that night it was starting to feel much better. Took my last pain pill that evening and never had to take another.
The next day I was able to go to the gym to lift upper body weights. I was able to start biking on Thursday; biked Thursday, Friday, Saturday(60 miles), and Sunday. Started back with my normal swim schedule on Friday. Doctor told me to take 3 weeks off from running, and then start back slowly. The knee is still a little swollen and tender but gets better every day. I wish I hadn’t waited so long to get it fixed.
All the above replies are probably not describing repairs, but partial meniscectomies. A repair is less commonly possible, but may be better for the knee in the long term. Most orthopods would restrict activities more than what is decribed above for a repair, so you should ask about what the possibilites are in terms of repair vs ‘trimming’.
Deke
I had my medial miniscus trimmed in high school and I was on the bike in a matter of days and running again within a couple of weeks. I have not had any issues since.
Best recovery method is to go to the BayView Garden every night and drink three pints. Avoid dancing with Dick Boris. Start training again when it feels better;)
Rocketboy
Many thanks to all for the thoughtful replies.
And ss for you RocketBoyboy…thanks for your input 2…however Bayview has not been the same since Suzie and I last visited.
I’ll see what the ortho specialist has in mind next week.
I had a 3cm tear in my meniscus repaired in july 2002. I was on my bike one week later. It was three weeks until I ran but that was caution on my part. My knee felt like I could run after about 10 days. I was fitted for crutches but never used them. Had surgery on Monday and was back to work on Wednesday.
No problems since the surgery. Caution is the better part of discretion. Listen to your doctor but also listen to your body. Do the therapy to strengthen the muscles around the knee.
Good luck.