A question on a "torn meniscus"???

Has anyone ever had a torn meniscus? I went to the Ortho yesterday for my knee. I took a fall about five days ago. At first, my knee just swelled up and it hurt. I figured it was nothing bad, so I just put some ice on it and took some tylenol. Well, after a few days, I realized it wasn't getting any better and the Tylenol wasn't helping. My knee is still a little swollen and I keep hearing this clicking when ever I sit, stand or bend. And ... when it clicks ... OUCH ... a screaming jolt of pain. When I went to the Ortho yesterday, he told me he thinks I have a torn meniscus. I have to have an MRI on Monday. Until then, I'm in this very bulky and uncomfortable knee immobilizer which holds my leg perfectly straight. I'm supposed to keep this on 24/7. Sleeping last night was impossible. Has anyone ever had this injury? Any insight or any ideas on pain relief? I'm in a miserable mood ..........
Just venting!

Re: A question on a "torn meniscus"???

my DH tore his. He had to have surgery to repair it - I think thats the only option.

Icing it (a LOT) will help. There's a "cooler" like medical device that he had while recovering which was great for icing and helping with the pain.

Re: A question on a "torn meniscus"???

my sil tore hers and at first she thought she would need surgery but she is going for rehab and it is helping along with some kind of medication - I think an anti-inflamatory.

Re: A question on a "torn meniscus"???

Re: A question on a "torn meniscus"???

it is a very comon injury--easily repaired.
my son was born with a meniscus dilemma. It can be very painful, especially during humidity and upcoming storms and all that.
The surgery is routine and recovery is quick. Always get a second opinion--good luck! do it before it gets hot out. This was u are mobile b4 summer.

Re: A question on a "torn meniscus"???

My husband had a torn meniscus, he gotit repaired about 4 weeks ago, his was torn so bdly that they could not repair it, the doc just cut out the damage> The problem is, it will get worse since ti will tear more. The clicking/locking means that it is a sever tear. Prior to the clicking/locking, my husband walked around with it torn for months, but he further dammaged it by not going to the oc. Good luck, I know my hubby would see stars and break out into a sweat when he locked, the surgery was simple and he is aready back to work.

Re: A question on a "torn meniscus"???

It depends where you tear it if they need to go in and do surgery on it. There are two parts to your meniscus, one part has a blood supply, the other part doesn't, so the part with the blood supply usually repairs itself upon rest, rehab, etc. Many people go on the rest of their life without surgery and they are fine and only opt to have surgery after it starts hurting or locking. If you tear the part that doesn't have a blood supply, you really need surgery as it will only get worse. It won't heal and you have to remove that part and smooth out the edges. It really is a very simple surgery. Usually it's better to have surgery so you avoid having arthritis later in your life. For now, continue icing for 20 minutes at a time and you can also take NSAIDs to help the pain! Hope you feel better!

Re: A question on a "torn meniscus"???

I have a torn meniscus!! I got it playing rugby about 9 years ago. It hurt really bad when it happened, I could barely walk - I went to a sports doctor who said I should get surgery, but I have been able to live with it. It hurts once in a while (and my knee actually comes apart once in a while but pops right back in) but otherwise it's okay.

I'm just waiting for something bad to happen before I go ahead and get the surgery for it.

Feel better

Re: A question on a "torn meniscus"???

Re: A question on a "torn meniscus"???

When they repair it...all they are doing is getting rid of the freyed pieces that cause you pain. It can never be fully repaired because they can't replace cartilage.

My Dr. was very aggressive with me. I tore my ACL and Meniscus. He didn't put me on the knee immobilizer. My first doctor did, and I got a second opinion and just got the surgery. Went thru agressive physical therapy and it doesn't bother me anymore.

Re: A question on a "torn meniscus"???

Holy cow, that was a great explanation. Either you're a doctor or you've had a torn meniscus before.


lol my field is in sports medicine, I'm an athletic trainer, but thanks

Re: A question on a "torn meniscus"???

My father tore his after having a hip replacement (pretty common to happen after hip replacement). He had orthroscopic (sp?) surgery to repair it. Once they took the bandages off a few days afterwards, he had two bandaids covering a couple of stitches. No, knee surgery is not fun, but it's not as bad as open-knee surgery at all. I don't think the rehab was pleasant, but my dad said it wasn't bad. (I guess with my dad it all seemed to be "not so bad" after his hip replacement!!)

The surgery is doable and nothing to be too afraid of if you need it. I have osgood-schlatters disease in both knees (and unlike most adults, I did not grow out of it! ) I completely understand how frustrating knee pain is. I wish you a quick recovery - hopefully without a need for surgery!

Re: A question on a "torn meniscus"???

I had it done. It's a painless operation. You'll be fine.. I had a highly recommended doctor do mine. If your going for a second opinion fm me for his info.

Message edited 4/29/2007 8:03:00 PM.

Re: A question on a "torn meniscus"???

I tore the meniscus in my left knee once and the right knee twice. All three surgeries were a breeze! In fact the last one, they had to remove the meniscus in my right knee. I tore it to shreds after repettitive use, multiple injuries, and being a fata$$ didnt help much. I have no residual problems. Good luck!

Re: A question on a "torn meniscus"???

Posted by Gumpslilqtpie

I tore the meniscus in my left knee once and the right knee twice. All three surgeries were a breeze! In fact the last one, they had to remove the meniscus in my right knee. I tore it to shreds after repettitive use, multiple injuries, and being a fata$$ didnt help much. I have no residual problems. Good luck!

Re: A question on a "torn meniscus"???

Thanks so much for all the responses ... much appreciated. Unfortunately, my MRI today has been postponed until Wednesday. They called me this morning saying they couldn't get insurance approval yet. (I'm wondering if they even tried until this morning.) Anyway, I got through the weekend with the help of Extra Strength Tylenol and Alleve. I haven't worn the brace as much as I probably should, but it's impossible to get up and care for the kids with it on. If it does require surgery, I'm just hoping they will do it quickly and get it over with. I just want to be able to get around and enjoy the nice weather.