Why do meniscal tears cause arthritis?

[Retrobeast]

I found out I have a torn medial meniscus and have very little pain if any. What cause arthritus if you do not have the tear repaired or cut out?
After reading most of the posts here it seems everyone has more problems after the scopings then before.

It seems arthritus is more likely after an meniscus tear removal to me.

I am active doing everything from biking, hiking, blading, to trail running. Think the rip occured while bent at the knees working in an attic.

Send some feedback please
Mark

[jathib]

I left my torn meniscus in my knee for 17 years. When I finally had part of it taken out it was locking my knee up and I had arthritis. I wish I had done it sooner.

[Retrobeast]

Thanks for the response
Did you have pain for many years before the 17th when you had the repair?

I just do not want to get the tear removed if it will cause more problems than before having it removed.

What made you finally get it fixed?
Thanks

[Heather M.]

Most people have little to no trouble recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery.  Don't let our horror stories frighten you off from needed medical treatment.

On the other hand, if you are able to lead a full and active life, why have surgery?  It would depend on where the tear is, how big, and the chances of it growing bigger--all items you should discuss with your doctor.  Lots of meniscal tears, especially in older people, have little to no symptoms.

The reason a meniscus tear CAN cause arthritis is that it can cause inflammation or even have little pieces break off--these can both irritate the articular cartilage that lines the knee.  Something else to talk about with your doctor.....

To give you hope, my brother has had two knee surgeries for torn meniscus, and the LONGEST recovery he had was five weeks.  With the other he was better in a week.  So there are success stories out there, but they are doing other things than reading this board!!

Good luck.

Heather

[jathib]

I had pain off and on, and sometimes my knee would lock up but I ignored it for a long time until it wouldn't unlock. Problem was I ended up favoring the leg and my muscles atrophied quite a bit. I had a bugger of a time building them up and my calf has never really returned to normal.

[khaoskat]

I believe I have had a torn meniscus for about 4 years, from Nov. 1998 through Feb. 2002.  I think each time I injured my knee, it tore it worse, to the point where I couldn't function normally.

By not having the surgery now, you run the risk of further injury.  Additionally, your knee is not as strong, and the tear could cause your knee to lock at the wrong time (ie, while trying to stop going backwards ice skating, or heading into a jump).

Khaoskat

[Maggie]

I had a torn medial meniscus which, I didn't know I had until I had surgery for recurrent dislocations. I had no pain what so ever with it and I have no clue how long it was torn. But I would think there would be a better chance for a repair instead of removal if it was tended to sooner. The OS had to remove mine, and yes I have arthritis, but I had it before the meniscectomy.
Thanks  Maggie

[Retrobeast]

Thanks for the replies everybody. The moment I notice I am favoring the knee I will go for the scope. Must wait until then. Just cannot see getting scope until a symtom shows up. If I can go thru a 2 hour spin class with no pain at all currently.

[MelissaM]

I hurt my knee playing h/s basketball about 12 years ago. I was misdiagnosed as just having a stretched ligament and acutally had a lateral meniscus tear. Just because you don't have pain right now doesn't mean damage isn't being done. I blew my ACL out a few month ago and when they did the MRI they diagnosed the meniscus tear also. My knee used to lock once in awhile, but it didn't bother me on a regular basis. When they scoped my knee before my ACL reconstruction they diagnosed me with grade 4 chondromalcia. I wonder if I had been properly diagnosed in highschool and had my meniscus taken car of, if I would have avoided some of the damage I now have. Having a knee scope isn't that bad. I had ACL reconstruction and a partial menisectomy and was walking without crutched in 5 days. I really didn't even need the pain medication they gave me after surgery. If I were in your shoes I would get it scoped just to see how bad it is. It's much easier to avoid futher damage than it is to try and do something about it after it's too late.