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Torn meniscus - to repair or not to repair?

Posted by valandsheri @valandsheri, Feb 28 9:19pm

Hello, this is my first rodeo in the knee department. Been through it with my husband - both meniscus repair and then, ultimately, a full knee replacement.

I injured my knee in a fall last summer and I have arrived now with two tears - this is, partially, what my MRI says: Chronic appearing horizontal tear of the posterior horn and body of the medial meniscus extending to the tibial articular surface with intermediate signal granulation tissue within the defect. Small 9mm parameniscal cyst along the anterior horn. Mild peripheral extrusion. Horizontal tear of the body of the lateral meniscus extending to the femoral articular surface. The report goes on....

I received a cortisone injection as a "quick fix" and will have a follow up consult with the PA in a few weeks. I was also offered a surgical consult which I did not take at that time.

So, of course, I've been reading Dr. Google and getting a lot of input from friends and family. The general consensus is that I have only masked the pain with the injection and it also doesn't help with healing the tears and can possibly slow healing. That I should get a surgical consult and see if the tears can be repaired.

I am happy that my knee is feeling better and I can get back to walking and my busy day, but I don't want to injure myself more under the comfort of the cortisone, but I am not opposed to surgery.

I would love more input from anyone that has experienced this. My main question is: can certain meniscal tears heal themselves without surgery?

Thanks so much!!

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Aug 18 1:56pm

Thank you for your kind words! Very smart to wear a brace when walking your dogs. That helps prevent sideways motion and keeps the torn part of the meniscus from getting caught between the bones.

You'll do well with the surgery, and recovery is reasonably quick. All the best to you! Joe

REPLY
elisabeth007 | @elisabeth007 | Aug 18 8:37pm
In reply to @dmlryder "I also have the exact same tear, it’s been like this for two years now! I..." + (show)
@dmlryder

I also have the exact same tear, it’s been like this for two years now! I opted to not have surgery and I’m actually doing better now! I have a friend who also has the same tear and he opted to not do surgery and he’s fine said it hasn’t bothered him in over 14 years so I do think the pain can come and go. I also have two tumors in the knee and my orthopedic oncologist is happy to just do an X-ray every couple of months which I feel very confident in this dr so I’m going with his recommendation, he is the head of his department at Yale Hospital I figure he didn’t get there just by looks alone.
Best of luck with whatever you decide

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i have multiple meniscus tears and arthritis in my right knee. physical therapy, riding exercise bike and walking with rx brace has helped a lot. Hydraulic acid injections in my knee have helped. No more cortisone shots because cortisone worsens osteoporosis (which i also have).

it’s my goal to avoid surgeries. in recent years i’ve had too many surgical complications

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1 reply
heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Aug 19 1:14pm
In reply to @elisabeth007 "i have multiple meniscus tears and arthritis in my right knee. physical therapy, riding exercise bike..." + (show)
@elisabeth007

i have multiple meniscus tears and arthritis in my right knee. physical therapy, riding exercise bike and walking with rx brace has helped a lot. Hydraulic acid injections in my knee have helped. No more cortisone shots because cortisone worsens osteoporosis (which i also have).

it’s my goal to avoid surgeries. in recent years i’ve had too many surgical complications

Jump to this post

Sounds like you're doing the right things Elisabeth. If you have meniscus tears the good news is that you're not bone on bone. I think the exercise bike is best for painful knees, so keep up the great work!

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darby413 | @darby413 | Aug 20 9:57am

I am in the recovery of repairing a torn meniscus and removal of a Baker's cyst. I am very pleased with the surgery. If you don't take care of it, the tear can get caught and cause more issues. The surgeon just "shaved" off the tear.
Be prepared for bruising and lots of icing. Yes, the ice does feel wonderful. I was on pain pills for only 3 days. I did not find the post op too bad. That's what I can offer as my words of wisdom. Best of luck to you with your surgery.

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1 reply
valandsheri | @valandsheri | Aug 20 12:44pm
In reply to @darby413 "I am in the recovery of repairing a torn meniscus and removal of a Baker's cyst...." + (show)
@darby413

I am in the recovery of repairing a torn meniscus and removal of a Baker's cyst. I am very pleased with the surgery. If you don't take care of it, the tear can get caught and cause more issues. The surgeon just "shaved" off the tear.
Be prepared for bruising and lots of icing. Yes, the ice does feel wonderful. I was on pain pills for only 3 days. I did not find the post op too bad. That's what I can offer as my words of wisdom. Best of luck to you with your surgery.

Jump to this post

Thanks again!!! Very much appreciated. Heal well❤️

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