Anyone had a Meniscus Tear

Some people apparently do well with surgery but there are a lot of studies on poor outcomes with meniscus tear surgery. Repair is often the better, but some docs won't try that if you are older and there's like a 20-30% chance of failure. And partial meniscectomy often leads to arthritis. So that's why I'd say maybe try healing without surgery first.
 

Anyone over 50 and certainly anyone over 60 or 70 has to be extremely cautious about doing any more strenuous exercise.

If you are a senior and want to engage in any more extreme kinds of exercise, you absolutely should get approval by your doctor before going forward.

One serious injury...and you are in constant pain for the rest of your life. Not worth the risk.
 
Tore my right knee meniscus a few years back. Went to Physical therapy and started riding a bike, problem solved. Surgeon right away recommended surgery. Now 4 years later left knee I believe is torn and causing me extreme pain walking, stairs, at night. Biking doesn't seem to be helping. Absolutely don't want surgery. Can you recommend topical pain relief, or anything out there that might help the knee to heal. I am too scared to do surgery! What happens if you take acitephetaphin and deal with the pain, will it get worse. I was told that after they do the arthroscopic surgery you will eventually need a knee replacement. Any help would be appreciated.
 
I've had a meniscus tear for many years. The knee swells and becomes painful from time to time. The best thing that helps me is wearing a knee sleeve or stabilizer. I got one from Walmart that works well. It keeps the fluid from gathering around the knee. I don't wear it all the time just when it swells. Not a fan of surgery, but that's just me.
 
PaulaBaron said:
Can you recommend topical pain relief, or anything out there that might help the knee to heal.
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I had a right meniscus pain 7 years ago that caused me to stop running. The outcomes from surgery were scary so I passed on those and focused on healing. Finding the cause turned out to take a few years and was probably due to my shoes getting worn down more on one side than the other. The pain has been gone for a few years now and I'm aiming to get back to running again.

Fresh ginger root is excellent at reducing inflammation, pain, and promoting healing. I blend it with water, then drink it and also apply it topically as it works both topically and systemically. Applying ice water to the surface is good for reducing inflammation, pain, and promoting healing. Briefly sitting and relaxing in a full squat position is excellent for helping to keep the knee joints lubricated, and is relaxing for the muscles, thus releasing tension, pain, and helping to promote healing.
 
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I've written about this elsewhere....

I experienced a torn meniscus about 5 years ago (self-diagnosed). I walked with 2 canes for 2 years. I even needed canes to walk across the room. I decided against surgery for reasons that others have mentioned.

I read that strengthening the muscles in the lower body (legs and hips) could help take some stress off the knee joint. I did all the recommended exercises, leg extensions, etc. They were boring, they took about 10 minutes a day, and they didn't help.

I bought an expensive rebounder (mini trampoline), because I wanted to do some cardio that wouldn't hurt my knees. I spent about 30 minutes a day doing gentle movements, similar to an easy aerobics class, stepping back and forth, etc.

After 3 months, I had a big surprise. I had left my canes somewhere. Suddenly I realized that I'd been walking around without my canes for 2 days.

I'm not completely cured. I get around without my canes for the most part, but I can't "go for a walk." If I need to do a lot of errands on foot, I use the canes, and my knees hurt a bit afterwards. But it's such a big improvement from before!

I feel like I'm gradually getting worse again. I guess it's hard to keep the muscles strong with nothing but gentle exercise. I'm 70 and accept that it might be downhill from here. Or maybe I'll figure out how to hang on to what I've gained.
 
Bonjour: Slipped on a huge bolder hiking in Alps...torn meniscus.

2009, repaired orthoscopic. Many months of PT to recover, end result is fine but surgeons research shows no significat difference with surgery or not.

Suggest to Avoid or mimimize pain meds, NASID, if possible as all poisons to the liver and kidneys, in long-term use.

Best knee exercise is recumbent bike stationary where the pedal pressure and stroke is adjustable.


To locate the best ortho surgeon, ask Vet org or local mil contacts, an ex military surgeon will be the best, mine (for broken shoulder, arm 5 places) was tri serve deployed, Navy Seals, USAF Flight surgeon, Special Forces.

Bon chance,

Jon
 

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