Degenerative tear - what now?

[SallyW]

The MRI showed a degenerative tear; my ortho says that he can clean up the damage. The scope is scheduled for December 9; when I asked him if there is anything I should not do until then, he says to not do stuff that makes it hurt. It hurts ALL the time! What am I supposed to do - nothing for the next few weeks? I don't want to make the problem worse, but sitting around more will just make me crazy! Is that what I have to do?

Or - can I do what I want as long as I use ice and the anti - inflamatory drug (Voltaren, I think) afterwards?

It's snowing in the mountains - I want to be snowshoeing this winter - will I make it? How about cross country skiing?

Also - what is recovery like? A full leg brace, or just crutches?

[afahis]

I dont think its different for a degenerative tear, but after a normal tear it seems as if the average is to be walkin a day or two post-op. It took me 3 days to be able to limp, but a week later i had no problem at all maneuvering around. If you could put off cross-country skiing til early-mid january i think it would be smart. Normal recovery time for going back to sports is 4-6 weeks.

[blackbeltgirl]

I have a similar diagnosis - horizontal cleavage tear of the lateral meniscus.  Surgery Dec. 8

When I pressed, my doc said that the stronger the quad is going into the surgery, the less work I'll have to do afterwards to strengthen it.  I've been doing some  basic exercises - straight leg lifts, as well as adductor and abductor leg lifts.  

Let me know how your surgery goes, since I'll be home and bored myself.

Jess

[dancing_girl]

Hi there,
I'm for surgery tomorrow, for R.meniscal tear. May also have microfracture-v. painful, I've already gone thru this on my L. knee.
Will let you know how I progress. Can't wait to get back to teaching exercise classes, but will  have to be patient.