Torn meniscus - to repair or not to repair?

I'm a retired RN who worked on my feet for 38 years. I retired @ 62 y/o. I had a total knee replacement in 2020. This was after a meniscus tear and pretty bad arthritis in that knee. I had 3 injections prior to the surgery. I was 67 y/o at the time. I've had several surgeries in my life, i.e. c-sections, breast augmentation, hysterectomy. The total knee was the most painful surgery and recovery period EVER. I pray I don't have to do it in the other knee. So far, so good. The doctor told me it would take one year to heal. I thought he was just exaggerating at the time but I believe it took longer. I still have some discomfort in the knee at times and that leg is a little shorter than the other now. I was told by PT that this often happens with knee replacement. I don't mean to sound negative about the procedure and I've heard that some people don't have as much trouble as I did so use your own judgement. This was my experience.

Man….I need a personal trainer. I’m in the gym most days, but need specific instruction. The staff there can only provide general advice, unless you pay for one on one instruction. That’s not in my budget right now.

Hints. U can watch others and get advice most people r very happy to exchange tips. Be self motivated. Work your body to failure in each rep. Work on the core and primary muscles. Do not do any excercise which cause any painful movement. Recouperate in between session.

Good summary and a lot of common sense - which we usually forget once we step on the floor of the gym.

Core work is probably the most important. I'm 69 y/o and have stenosis and scoliosis in my lumbar spine. My spine surgeon said that the core work I do is all that is separating me from fusion surgery. And the core is made up of roughly 30 muscles. If you can afford it, hire a trainer for a weekly or twice-weekly sessions.

As for working to fail - I do this mostly with my arms, chest, and back. Pick a weight such that you are able to reach fail between 5 and 30 reps. It works best for me to use a lighter weight and more reps. If I want to do pure strength, I increase the weight and simply do fewer reps.

Finally, use free weights rather than the machines. Machines isolate one muscle or muscle group. That's fine but in real life, when a muscle starts to fatigue, surrounding muscles kick in. Machines can't duplicate this. Free weights can.

Don't forget cardio. And have fun!

If you can't afford a trainer, or can only afford a few sessions, write down a schedule and program for yourself and carry it with you in the gym. Just a suggestion.

Hello Everyone,

I have had meniscus tears in both knees with surgery, both 10-12 years ago.
Understand with tears portion of the meniscus where its torn is removed ?
Since then re-injured my right knee playing soccer, and symptoms, pain and strength issue's feel the same .
In speaking with my primary confirmed there are some tears again in the meniscus.
In doing my own research and speaking with friends in the medical field, there saying a may be a candidate for this optional surgery.
https://www.arthrex.com/resources/LT1-00129-en-US/meniscal-root-repair-with-peek-swivelock-anchor?referringteam=knee
I'm looking for feedback if you have had the procedure done .
And also looking for a doctor to review my MRI and possibly if this type of surgery would be an option.
Thanks, OlyT

i know regentative meds recommend letting it heal on its on. They claim when you have it repaired arthritis sets in. PRP takes care of the arthritis.

I think decisions on surgery are very personal, depending on how we each feel pain. I first tore my meniscus in the early 90’s , I was a dance instructor and the pain was definitely causing a problem for me. I refused surgery. I quit teaching full time in 1999 took another job and taught only one night a week. Fast forward to 2013 when I tore it more and finally to 2018 when the meniscus totally shredded and I was left with no meniscus at all. Finally- relief!
Sounds crazy, doctor says I should be in great deal of pain because it’s bone on bone, but I can say it’s definitely less pain then when it was torn. The point of this long story is that no one but you can tell how much pain some injury is causing because we all feel it differently. The meniscus I was told does not get blood supply, therefore it won’t heal. In my case, I’m glad I opted out of surgery. Best of luck to you.

Thanks for your reply. Doesn’t sound crazy at all. My husband tore his meniscus in 1972, again in 1974, went until 1989 when it was the last straw and had surgery, then went until 2016 and had knee replacement. A long journey with a lot of activities on that poor knee! I’m doing pretty well after my cortisone injection. It’s still there but I’m back to my usual activities. Yay! I do have an appointment coming up with a surgeon to make sure the cortisone isn’t masking more damage that I might be doing. This doctor is supposed to be excellent and doesn’t do surgery just to do it. Fingers crossed!

Hi, I had a torn meniscus several years ago. The orthopedist did an arthroscopic surgery and I was on crutches for about nine days. It healed fine and I haven’t had any issues since. I wish you all the very best.