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Meniscus tear and surgery?

mprooch

Active Member
Oct 12, 2021
158
141
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MA (zone 10)
Anyone out there had a meniscectomy or partial knee replacement? Looking for how it’s worked out for people. Got my diagnosis and options today so looking at doing nothing till I can’t stand it, having the medial meniscus removed, or going with medial compartment replacement now knowing that my 50 year old knees look 65+ already and I’m on borrowed time regardless.
 

GCTerpfan

Moderator
Staff member
SH Member
Aug 11, 2017
6,040
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Garrett County, MD
I had arthroscopic surgery on my meniscus last year. I had a partial tear and was told it would be a quick recovery. When the dr got in there the tear was worse than he thought and he took a pretty big portion of the meniscus out on the inside of my knee. The recovery was a lot slower than he expected, partially because it was worse than expected and partially because I developed a baker's cyst right before the surgery that kept wanting to come back.

I was walking on my knee with no crutches in just a day or two but it was a couple months until I was back to walking on uneven ground, jogging, etc. I would estimate that my knee was back to very close to 100% in 3 or 4 months.

I missed a spring of scouting but, wouldn't hesitate to have the surgery again. I had no problems hunting, hiking, and climbing trees this season.
 

Jimmyfunk60

Well-Known Member
Jan 4, 2019
658
734
93
36
Offensive lineman, college football…

Left knee surgery sophomore year cleaned up a tear 40% removed

Junior year right knee tear 90% removed

Senior year left knee again clean up removed the rest…

Im 11 years out from graduating knees don’t bother me except for long trips sitting in the truck… I jog, race dirt bikes, scout and hunt without issues…

Team Dr said by 40 id prolly need knee surgery but at 33 I feel good.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

boyne bowhunter

Moderator
Staff member
SH Member
Aug 17, 2016
7,589
20,298
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NW Michigan
I had an arthroscopic medial meniscectomy in my early 30's. After the surgery the Dr. told me I also had a torn ACL that they weren't able to diagnose prior to the surgery so I would need to come back and get that done. Never happened. I played ice hockey until I was 56 with no real issues. After the surgery I was really sorry I hadn't gone in and had it done sooner. It was definitely worth it. They also told me immediately after the surgery I'd be a candidate for a knee replacement once I got a bit older.

As I'm now approaching 60 I do have some arthritis in the knee and I'm sure I'll have to finally follow up at some point and get it replaced but I've had a good run on my own knee since my surgery. I would highly recommend the procedure.
 

Patriot38

Well-Known Member
Sep 24, 2018
528
430
63
36
Victoria MN
Have then install some extra padding into your knee so you never have to bring knee pads or cushions into the woods again.


I haven't had knee replacement surgery but my grandpa (83) did a double knee replacement 2 years ago and was golfing 6 weeks later. Hes so happy he did. My dad (62) had orthoscopic surgery twice and it seems to work for a few years and then ultimately fail again.

I think knee surgery is so common that the doctors really have it down and do a great job. A good buddy of mine sells knee replacement parts for a living. He said its pretty crazy how advanced things are these days. It's basically like going to the dentist and getting a root canal
 

Tr33_n1nj@

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Aug 30, 2019
1,379
1,910
113
Southwest Alabama
ACL replacement and meniscus “trimming” done almost 25 yrs ago. Never came back to 100%, hence the lack of a professional sports career. Doesn’t really bother me now, just adds some bitterness to my tone after a long day of driving or being on my feet.
 

Empostarr

Well-Known Member
Dec 2, 2020
447
779
93
41
SE Michigan
Had orthoscopic surgery on my left knee to remove damaged meniscus in my early 30s. I'm 40 now. I've never been back to 100%. If I play basketball or anything that involves running or lateral movements, it means I'll have a swollen knee for the next day. Hiking/hunting/scouting may just make it sore.

Probably doesn't help that I'm overweight. I often wonder how these athletes can get right back in there when I can barely play a game with my kids outside, but it's just the luck of the draw most likely.
 

woodsdog2

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jun 28, 2019
8,158
10,405
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Do it!! I had approximately 60% of my left knee Meniscus removed orthoscopically in 2015. It was torn and would fold over and absolutely balloon up until the flap went back to normal position. Hated life, finally went to doctor they put me on an anti-inflammatory for three weeks just made my ankles swell. Then went to PT still no luck, went in for an MRI and found the irreparable tear. They also told me I’ll need full replacement at some point but my knee has been great ever since the surgery. I was back to work in a week and off crutches about the same time. Played sports all throughout HS. Football my since 7th grade and intramural sports and rugby in college. Also did a lot of running in my mid to late 30’s. The only thing they said I shouldn’t do is run now but swim and bike to my hearts content. Running will warp speed you to full knee replacement as that cushion is now gone.
 
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Bigfoot522

Well-Known Member
Oct 9, 2019
711
746
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I have MRI scheduled 7 a.m.
Right knee.
Three weeks ago I couldn't even walk.
Swelling and locking up at the ligaments.
It will suck if I can never jog again.
 
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woodsdog2

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jun 28, 2019
8,158
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I have MRI scheduled 7 a.m.
Right knee.
Three weeks ago I couldn't even walk.
Swelling and locking up at the ligaments.
It will suck if I can never jog again.
Good luck @Bigfoot522 !!! Hopefully its not a torn ACL. A torn meniscus is really not that bad and pretty quick recovery if that's all it is. But I know what you mean. I could hardly go up and down the stairs in my house when the flap would fold over and my knee would swell up so much. I felt like I was 100 years old.
 

Bigfoot522

Well-Known Member
Oct 9, 2019
711
746
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The guy says he will trim the meniscus and the other muscle don't even matter.
Miss a week off work.
 

Camelcluch

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Oct 2, 2020
1,598
2,406
113
48
I blew both knees up when I was 16. Doc said I had knees of a 80 year old. 45 now and do fine. I have arthritis but light leg work outs and biking helps keep the pain away.
 

Tim0712

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jan 18, 2021
781
1,086
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I raced motocross so with that knee injuries are almost a given. How ever out of all the injuries I sustained I think my
Meniscus was the worst. I bruised/pulled both of them a time or two but the only torn meniscus I had was in my second to last year of racing (7 years ago now) and they did a micro surgery to patch me all up and to this day my knee still pops and bothers me
 
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