meniscus or acl surgery - Knee & Hip Problems Message Board

swiebe · 04-17-2009, 12:29 PM

So I recently had an MRI and my surgeon found that my ACL is competely torn and the my meniscus is also torn. My knee personanlly feels pretty good, a little pain once and a while, which i think is from my meniscus. I went throught a lot of physical therapy when i first hurt my knee. The surgeon recommended that i have ACL/meniscus surgery. but I went in to talk to him just the other day and now he says that i could just have my meniscus cleaned out and leave th ACL for another time or don't get it done at all. I am pretty active and like to play soccer and snowboard. My surgery date is coming up and have no clue what to do. One of the main things in the way of my decision is the time off work. With the ACL it is 6 months rehab and then meniscus is only a month. i am a lifeguard so i can't work until i am fully recovered.

rightknee · 10-03-2009, 08:58 AM

Did you have the surgery? I had ACL and meniscus surgery over two months ago. I an NOW finally off crutches and was cleared by my doc to walk with out a brace. The recovery is long. Went back to work after 2 months of laying around- now on restricted duty. I do not have anymore swelling, but there is definite discomfort in the knee when I walk on it. The PT thinks it is a strained MCL. The knee feels more stable, however is still really tight. The extension is there, but the flex is lacking. I am curious if you had the surgery and how things are going.

sportster · 11-11-2009, 12:00 PM

Wow, this surgery is quite intense and complex. I just recently tore my acl and meniscus during a football practice. That was a couple of weeks ago and now the swelling is down to almost zero and I can bend and extend my leg fully. I had an MRI and my orthropedic doctor said I need surgery and that I shouldn't participate in any sports. Swimming season is coming up and I want to particiapte in the sport but I do not know if I should. I am definitely getting a second opinion. Do you think that I can injure my knee more than it is now?

jennybyc · 11-11-2009, 01:16 PM

Yes you can. Once an ACL is torn it destabilizes the knee and makes it more likely that you will injure other areas such as the collateral ligaments or even the lateral meniscus.

I tore my ACL at age 14 when it wasn't something they surgically corrected. I went on in the next 2 years to tear the medial meniscus and medial collateral ligaments. I ended up with a total knee replacement at age 47 after 7 previous surgeries to try to stabilize it.

Fix the knee and don't do anything with sports without talking to your doc first.

Been there.

Baldskinner · 11-18-2009, 07:06 PM

I just had mine tare done 3 months ago and I would not have done it if I new the pain would change for the worse.