Partial Meniscectomy Recovery Time Question

[OSUlax959]

I am exactly 5 weeks out from my partial lateral meniscectomy and I am very confused as to what the average recovery time is. My surgeon seemed to think that I would be fully recovered and back out running in a matter of weeks, but everything I have read on this forum has told me to expect to be lounging around the couch for months before i would be recovered. Everything I have read online has told me that if I was lucky 2-4 weeks would be all i need to make a full recovery.

I know that meniscus repairs have a much much longer recovery time, closer to 6-8 months, but I really thought that I would be fully recovered by 5 weeks out.

I am 20 years old and was in amazing physical shape, before the meniscus tear sidelined me about 3 months ago.

I have my second post-op appointment next friday, but I wanted to ask the forum if anyone in my age frame has time lines for partial meniscectomy recoveries.

[Arity]

Hi,

I am not in your age range (in my 40's) however I had a partial meniscotomy 12 months ago.  I think the "lounging" recovery is more for meniscus repair.  Meniscotomies are (relatively speaking) easier and quicker to recover from.  That being said, everyone is different, and some people recover differently than others.

I was back to work after 2 days, needed no pain meds, and was "functioning" very quickly.  It took longer to get rid of the residual swelling and general "achiness" but it was nothing I needed to be on the couch for.

I also had a torn acl (which I just had reconstructed 4 weeks ago) so my recovery would be very different than someone who had the meniscotomy with no other issues.

Again, this is just my experience.  Everyone is different, but your best source of information is your OS and the people treating you and most importantly, you yourself and how you are feeling.  If your OS gives you the go ahead and you feel good there is no reason to be "lounging on the couch"   

Cheers,
Lori

[Vickster]

Have a read of this diary - lots of posts but all young active guys  http://www.kneeguru.co.uk/KNEEtalk/index.php?topic=55394.0

I would say 5 weeks to running after a menisectomy is very optimistic - I was still using crutches on and off for 4 weeks after mine (ok there were other things wrong with my knee and I am much older).  I had 3 weeks off work and driving, after having around 15% of my lateral meniscus removed - my OS's protocol for scopes.    Also, you will need to do lots of strength building again before running if you have been sidelined for 3 months.  Stick religiously to your PT's instructions, start slowly with non impact like cycling.  I would say 8 weeks minimum would be sensible before jogging, the knee has had quite a trauma and needs to settle.  Pros can come back more quickly but they have expert care round the clock day in day out

Have a read of all of this too  http://www.kneeguru.co.uk/KNEEnotes/node/2259 and this about rehab  http://www.kneeguru.co.uk/KNEEnotes/node/1118

Good luck

[OSUlax959]

I don't attend any PT sessions. No rehab at all. My OS said I wouldn't need any, and seemed to stick to that at my post-op, 2 weeks after surgery.

My knee feels good, but I have the same amount of swelling that I did a week after surgery. I haven't seen any noticable improvement at all, even with a religious icing regimen and wearing the compression stockings I was given.

I have my next check up this friday, so I will see what my OS thinks about the situation soon.

Thanks for the links and replies.

P.S.  By lounging on the couch, I really meant not running 16 miles a day, or doing the Insanity workout tapes I just got before my injury.

[foxmulder]

As you already have guessed there is no mathematically precise answer to your question. If you are young and have good physical shape the orthopedists will always tell you about one month full/complete recovery. Seems that it's something they have learned at university. Sometimes you are back in 2 weeks but sometimes it takes 6-8 months as there seems to be too many variables affecting the recovery time needed after surgery.

This "fast and full recovery" promise sounds more like marketing tactic in order to sell more surgeries.

Not trying to be negative here...i can feel your frustration. It may take longer but you'll be fine.  As is sayed before start carefully with some strength training and cycling to recover the muscle strength. 

[hardhead]

I'm at 7 months now and not fully recovered. I would say that I am worse than before I got the surgery still. Hoping for the best

[Ilya]

Have no clue where doctors get the idea that in 4 weeks you are back to normal. 

I had my surgery over 2.5 years ago (read my diary in this forum, 20% removed, lateral on left knee, surgery 6 months after injury).  I was running comfortably (I mean really running - sprinting) in about 6 months, and was fully recovered/back to normal in about a year.

I believe it took me so long because I waited about 6 months after my injury to have surgery so my leg was pretty atrophied and my quads almost non existant.  Also it took a while for the scar tissue from the points of incision to fully go away so that I can regain my full range of motion. 

Currently I am in better shape than before the injury because I had so much time to really fine-tune my leg workouts considering that I had to start all the way from the beginning.  Highly recommend starting a leg strength training routene 2-3 times a week, but only after all the swelling has gone down.  I recommend no to do anything until the swelling is gone, not even stationary bike. 

Good luck! 

[stellanora]

Hmmm....my son just had a partial menisectomy of the posterior horn of his medial meniscus. It was just done Tuesday. He went into the OR at 1:20 and we were driving home by 3:30. He walked out of the hospital without crutches. He took his pain med prophylactically the first night (he is a veteran of three ACL reconstructions and did not want to be unpleasantly surprised by the wearing off of the long acting novacaine during the night). He never had pain - at all. Did not even need ibuprofen. Almost no swelling,either. He has full ROM and says he feels like going for a run (although I have told him to definitely wait a few weeks).His surgeon said 4-6 weeks before return to sports (soccer). I know several other people who have had similar quick, no pain experiences with this surgery and a quick return to high level sports. That being said - this was a medial menisectomy and maybe lateral is more problematic?

[JuhaH]

Hi,

Remember that major meniscectomy lead to painful arthritis. So take it easy with the knee without meniscus -> http://www.eorthopod.com/content/meniscal-injuries .