how to regain full use of knee (without surgery) after meniscus tear

@ellerbracke I live in Cali. But have studied holistic since the 70,s A gentleman here is 93 still working as a crossing guard he had what I have he just won't let physical things get him down He pushes against weight 10 lps I am starting to do same at 1lb but hurts just moving it .Dr. recommended a shot don't want to do that if I can help it At 77 I exercise everyday

Hi @rbon1 and welcome to Connect. I had two meniscus surgeries, quite a while ago. Since then I have read that they are not done nearly as frequently, that PT can very often solve the problem better than surgery can. I presume there are still times when surgery is the best option, but back when I had my two they were very common.
I would tend to agree with you, more PT could help. I would not rule out an injection though, that can help also. If at any point in time you do consider surgery I would definitely seek a second opinion.
Good luck with this, I hope you find a satisfactory resolution. Please let us know how you are doing.
JK

rbon1,
Fourteen years ago, I was (58 yo) training for a half marathon and L knee suddenly swelled like a melon. Long and short, my physician said "get a knee replacement (cartilage was gone, bone-on-bone) and you may be able to continue jogging (not running) or...give it up and live with it" (deal with the underlying arthritis later, in other words). I gave up running completely. Did some PT, without definitive results.

Took glucosamine (see how long ago this was?) and I thought I had achieved some kind of standoff. About 4-5 years after my diagnosis, I tried racquetball and was surprised I had recovered enough to stay with players my age. Even stopped the glucosamine completely, but that's another story. Been playing 3x/week until the present, but now I have to take nsaids. My wife has also been happy I can travel and accompany her on walking tours with the inevitable stairs. And since I race and prep my car myself, I am still limber enough to crawl under and perform major repair on my vehicles. All this time I was aware my R knee was compensating and would eventually run out of cartilage, too. And now I have to pay the piper and have an appointment with my doctor to schedule TKR.

My complaints: increasing difficulty going down stairs (BTW, USA is the most ADA-compliant country, hands down) and knees so noisy loose our spaniel grimaces everytime I get down on the floor to play with her. My apprehensions (other than surgery-related complications): reduced leg ROM and flexibility getting in and out of low cars with race seats; and stair performance no better than what it is, now. What tipped the balance? I bought my current car from a track buddy who underwent TKR with no problems. He's back to an open-wheel racer with a tighter cockpit. I'll take a chance on stairs.

The takeaway: it's been 14 good years with conscious joint management and adjustment of expectations. I read that the TKR age window is 50 - 80, which gets me (and you) farther away from the average with every passing day. I have given activity details to give a better understanding of the recovery and extended level of general activity possible; even with arthritic, or otherwise injured, joints. I am merely sharing, not recommending, since everyone's different and only you know when you will be ready and what relief direction you may choose. I am totally confident that if you decide to put off invasive intervention by more than a couple of years, new and better technology not may, but will, be available. So keep that in mind as well.

Best of luck to you! HTH

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and best of luck with your TKR (if you decide to go that route)!

@mister2 : Thank you for a very straightforward, and detailed description of your knee history. I am both amazed and happy that you were able to postpone serious surgery for over a decade, what with your active lifestyle. I may - or may not - have jumped the gun, but after unsuccessful arthroscopic surgery for torn cartilage, torn meniscus, advanced arthritis on tibia, and under knee cap, in spite of really compliant rehab the pain continued whenever I tried to do normal things.... like walking down stairs, walking down inclines, walking - period, stopping abruptly, getting up from a chair, simply sitting or standing any length of time. Basically, pain out of proportion to visible cause. Lived with that for about 11 months.
My TKR was successful as far as normal pain, normal scarring, and above normal recovery of flexibility, but it still is an artificial joint, with limitations. Some days I kick myself for having decided to have it done, but then today I went back to a famous local destination - Biltmore House in Asheville, NC. Summer home (Castle) of the Vanderbilt family. Last visited September ‘18, just a week before knee surgery, since they had a stunning exhibit of Chihuly glass sculptures interspersed in the gardens and the mansion. On about 5 different levels. And it just about wore me to the core to get down the steps to each new attraction. Went back for brunch at a restaurant there today, took some of the same paths, and no pain, walking steps or inclines. So even with my regrets of not being quite the same any more, I do see the benefits. If that makes sense. BTW, brunch was to celebrate my 70th.

@ellerbracke I'm so happy hour FOR was successful I was at the Biltmore in Ashevill when my brother lived there ,no exhibits but beautiful.I'm in California now .In Pa where I use to live ,the botanical gardens in Pittsburgh had the glass sculptures beautiful plus gorgeous orchids