Torn meniscus - to repair or not to repair?

@terrie10
I did not go to any drs when I twisted my knee in 2006. Just tried to rest it and walk, I seemed to tolerate the pain until months later I couldn’t walk. Too late for me to do physical therapy as my meniscus was completely torn through. Was in a brace from hip to ankle to keep it stable til surgery. Dr said the completely torn parts of meniscus just floated out. Was on crutches
post op for quite a few weeks but by 6 weeks was healed and all surgical pain was gone. I had my life back. So in my experience, I waited too long without help til it tore completely through. Not sure if any advances have been made since then. He also noted arthritis in knee at the time and cleaned it all off. My knee was as good as new! Arthritis eventually came back over time but doing daily exercises I didn’t require a knee replacement until 2021!

Thanks for the info, meeting with the ortho in a week so hoping for some answers. I am way too active to be dealing with any of this (:

@terrie10 I completely understand that! Good luck, stay the course, and be well!

First of all.... fire Dr. Google! I've had a torn meniscus.
If yours is torn, get it repaired! It's usually done Arthroscopically and it heals quickly. It was the easiest knee surgery I ever had. Just make sure the Orthopedic surgeon specializes in knees. You'll be happy you did. You'll have to go through PT, but once you've done everything, you'll be glad you did it.
Good luck!

Just to be clear. It was explained to me by 2 top rated orthopedic knee surgeons that a torn meniscus is only repaired by surgery if you are young, like 30 or under. For older people it’s a clean up procedure. No repair is done. It’s hoped the clean up will help stop pain. But, the surgery itself will make the knee more prone to arthritis. That was something I considered. Also, my doctors told me using my knee would not injure it further. So, I surmise each case is different.

In my area, there are urgent care walk-in orthopedic centers. They are open 7 days a week for sudden injuries/pain like the knee. I didn’t have to use one, but if in pain a good option.

@celia16 Yes, that is what I understood, as well, regarding repair versus clean up. I was 64 at the time of surgery and it was a partial meniscectomy- they removed the torn area and cleaned it up. It seems there are varying opinions on whether or not it makes the knee more prone to arthritis. I already have arthritis in my knee so it's a moot point for me. Not sure about it not injuring it further - I do know that you can re-injure it after surgery and cause another tear.

@valandsheri , glad you got relief. I have been fortunate thus far. I hope I stay stable. Everyday I have good mobility and no pain is a blessing!

My meniscus tore just because…I was walking along and bang! By the time I got home I was in tears.
Doctor gave me shots. They really only helped for a few weeks. I was in constant pain. Lying on the sofa with an ice bag on my knee was boring, and the pain refused to go away!
Why, wouldn’t I go for the surgery. There was no way I could put up with so much pain. It’s an easy surgery compared with some and eventually my pain was gone.

@SusanEllen66 was the arthroplasty of your thumb successful? Was your thumb more usable after the surgery than before? How long ago was the surgery?

@djk75 that was in 2013.
My thumb doesn’t hurt anymore, and that is the only thing that counts for me. My hand is as good as it can be. That was on my right hand.

I’m 76, I have had 4 surgeries on my left hand. That hand is not good at all.

On top of all that, I get tremors from a neurological disorder so typing is one finger only. I usually hit wrong letters, have to backtrack and try again.

Aren’t you glad you asked!