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jennybyc · 09-03-2010, 01:05 PM

You'll have options with surgery. They can repair the torn meniscus or the can remove the torn piece. If the tear is partial, they can remove the the smallest part and then smooth off the rest. At your age, you will probably be better off with removal of a piece and smoothing off of the rest. We don't heal as well as the younger folk do....do we. So repair is probably not an option although it may work...I never rule out anything anymore.

But unlike your regular doc, I would have the surgery ASAP. The longer you walk on it, the more it breaks up and then you end up with irreversible arthritis as a result.

I walked on a torn meniscus for 2 years(torn at 14) and my knee acted like a giant grinder, slowly grinding up parts of the tear until it was removed, and I ended up needing a total replacement by age 24....except they wouldn't do one until I was 40. The more you walk on it, the more damage it does to the joint.

A meniscus removal and smoothing is day surgery with a scope. You have Band Aids on the incisions. A total repair is much more invasive and takes weeks on crutches but it might be worth it if it can be done. Everything is done with the ultimate result in mind....that you never need a joint replacement. You think...how do I avoid arthritis in this knee.

I thank God everyday for people like you who run in when we are running out so take care of yourself and do what is best for your long term. Get that torn piece out of there and then rehab to keep it strong.

Jenny(14 knee surgeries so far)

09-03-2010, 01:05 PM	#2
jennybyc Inactive (female) Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 3,901 Blog Entries: 12	Re: Left Knee You'll have options with surgery. They can repair the torn meniscus or the can remove the torn piece. If the tear is partial, they can remove the the smallest part and then smooth off the rest. At your age, you will probably be better off with removal of a piece and smoothing off of the rest. We don't heal as well as the younger folk do....do we. So repair is probably not an option although it may work...I never rule out anything anymore. But unlike your regular doc, I would have the surgery ASAP. The longer you walk on it, the more it breaks up and then you end up with irreversible arthritis as a result. I walked on a torn meniscus for 2 years(torn at 14) and my knee acted like a giant grinder, slowly grinding up parts of the tear until it was removed, and I ended up needing a total replacement by age 24....except they wouldn't do one until I was 40. The more you walk on it, the more damage it does to the joint. A meniscus removal and smoothing is day surgery with a scope. You have Band Aids on the incisions. A total repair is much more invasive and takes weeks on crutches but it might be worth it if it can be done. Everything is done with the ultimate result in mind....that you never need a joint replacement. You think...how do I avoid arthritis in this knee. I thank God everyday for people like you who run in when we are running out so take care of yourself and do what is best for your long term. Get that torn piece out of there and then rehab to keep it strong. Jenny(14 knee surgeries so far)