Meniscus :

Meniscal Repair-post op blues - help! - - Posted by TimD (TimD), 23 January 2005

Meniscal Repair - post op blues

I was very suprised when I the Doctor told me that he had repaired the meniscus (rather than just cleaning it up) and I that I would be on crutches for three weeks as I hadn't know that was even a POSSIBILITY  


I got over that, and made it through two weeks on crutches and most of my pain had subsided.  Then, two days in a row, my crutches slipped on a surfaces slick from snow.  Reflexively, I supported my weight with my 'bad' knee.

Now, in the two days since, I am back to the level of pain I had just a few days after the operation.  I wake up with throbbing pain in the early morning.  Pain is right in the medial meniscus where the repair was made.


I AM SCARED TO DEATH THAT I HAVE RE-TORN WHERE THE REPAIR WAS MADE - I.E. BLOWN OUT THE SUTURES.

Is it possible that I have just strained it and NOT done somethine so terrible?  Does anyone have any experience with this?  I cannot fathom having to go back in for another surgery.... this has been hell.  Thanks for any insights.
Posted by andrewc (AndrewC), 23 January 2005

Hey there Tim

I had a repair to a huge tear in my lateral meniscus 7 months ago....
I too "fell" on it on a couple of occasions by accident in the early days post surgery  

The first time I thought I really had damaged the repair but I knew I had not fully torn it as before the op my leg was LOCKED at about -20 degrees extension due to the piece of meniscus displaced into the knee joint....and it did not lock again!

Anyway, my knee went really downhill for a few days afterwards. It was achey and stiff in the mornings and just generally took a big step backwards.

Luckily though, it was ok a week later and I had no more bother related to that incident!

If I were you I would just be REAL careful with your knee. Baby it a bit. Rests, Ice and Elevate it and review your situation in a week or so. You may not have torn it but just aggravated it severely.

Good luck
Posted by TimD (TimD), 23 January 2005

AndrewC- thanks, that is encouraging.  Anyone else out there had similar experiences??

Posted by sienna (sienna), 24 January 2005

Hey there,
You're lucky that you had a repair as it will be much better for your knee long term.
I didn't really 'fall' post op, I did slip once while on crutches but luckily I landed quite squarely on my bad knee so it really hurt from the jarring.  
You really do need to baby your leg as AndrewC said.  It takes 3 mths for the repair to actually hold.  During that time you need to be especially careful.  
As for your current hurting, ice, ice, baby, baby. You know the song.  Hopefully you have just irritated it badly and it will settle down.  Keep an eye on it.  

Please be ultra careful particularly now that there ice around.  Ice, rest and elevation will all help.

Take care and let us know how you go.
Posted by cjones (cjones), 25 January 2005

I just wanted to stop by and lend some support.  I had a repair and a LR done on 1-14-05.  My recovery is going pretty slow.  My doc didn't mention anything to me about crutches but when I questioned him 3 days post op he said to use them for as long as I needed.  I am still 100% dependant on them.  I can not bare any weight on my leg.  I don't know if it is from the LR or the repair.  I have had several muscle spasms that have gave my leg a nice jolt.  I know it is nothing like what you did but the spasms caused a lot of pain for 2 days afterwards.

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