Torn meniscuc (Read 1420 times)

My log from late Feb 2010 will show how I worked back from meniscus repair (and other stuff). Basically I was able to walk and jog in a 6-8 weeks, then worked through a series of knee braces until about July...

I had a torn meniscus along with a torn ACL in January 2009.  I had an ACL allograft and they resected (cut out) about half of my meniscus (by cross sectional distance -- I have significantly more than 50% of my meniscus remaining by area or volume).  For me this was a major bummer to come out of surgery and discover that this was done.  My MRI did not show the torn meniscus.  

Post surgery I began to run lightly within only 2-3 months (see my log for exact dates if you like).  BUT, it was over a full year for me before I felt like I was really running again normally and without any pain or discomfort at all.  

Beware:  I now have a subsequent articular cartilage tear in the same compartment where I had the meniscus partially removed.  This is a major major bummer and potentially a much greater threat to my running in the long term.  There is no way of knowing what caused the cartilage tear, but I think it could not have helped that I was missing meniscus in there and so the bones didn't quite have as much cushion and stability as they would have before.  If I could do the last couple of years all over again I would maybe have done a little research on options to unload the affected compartment a little bit.  Maybe there are things that can be done with orthotics?  I know there are braces, but from what I've heard they are not very practical for running.  Anyway, that's my story in very brief.  Let me know if you'd like to know anything more.

Most of all best of luck on treatment and recovery.  If it were me I would have a real heart to heart with your surgeon to let him know in no uncertain terms that you'd like to keep the absolute maximum amount of your own OEM meniscus that you possibly can -- if it were me.

Just found out I've got--breathe In--a complex undisplaced tear involving the body and posterior horn of the medial meniscus extending from medial to lateral of approximately 3cm. I'm meeting with an orthopedic surgeon (when? hopefully soon) and the sports Dr says I'll likely get meniscus repair rather than partial meniscectomy.

I've been poking around here and found some good tips. I'm an epidemiologist but there are surprisingly few good quality studies on meniscal repair vs partial meniscectomy. Evidence points to better short-term outcomes for meniscectomy (much lower re-operation rates) but possibly worse long-term outcomes. But as I said, these studies are not of the greatest quality.

Just wondering if anyone else has had any additional experience they'd like to share? My Dr and physio both said I can continue to bike and swim before the surgery (although I didn't really tell them I plan to bike and swim A LOT, is that a problem?) as long as it doesn't hurt.

The good news through all this is that when I get back to running, a triathlon should be no problem! Also, it'll give a chance to my lingering osteitis pubis to heal up.

Thanks!