Meniscus :
Has anyone had a GOOD outcome with partial removal - - Posted by pilatesgrl97 (pilatesgrl97), 10 January 2005
of lateral meniscus?? I am going in for surgery on January 24th to have a torn piece of lateral meniscus removed. .My surgeon basically said I should have a "complete recovery"and be able to go back to my normal sports routine after the surgery. After skimming over this board I am VERY concerned. I was looking forward to being able to do the things I love(walk for extended amounts of time for ex) and it seems like so many people are the same if not worse then before surgery. I really would like to hear from anyone who has a really good recovery..thanks
Posted by bwalling (bwalling), 10 January 2005
There are plenty of people around here that have had full recoveries. I had surgery on Dec 28th, and I can walk or bike for as long as I want to. I'm not back to playing sports yet (other than golf), but my knee gets significantly better every day.
A lot of it depends on the patient. A number of the people that are currently active on here are 60+ years old. That will have a significant impact on recovery.
Posted by nicole (nicole), 10 January 2005
My first surgery back in '94 was that type of recovery. I was walking pain-free two days post-op and jogging within two weeks. By two months post-op I completed my AF physical fitness test. Never even had any crutches. Of course, I was 21 years old and very actively athletic right up to about two weeks pre-op, so that probably helped.
Didn't really have any problems again until a couple of years ago when it was found that I have a partially torn ACL in that knee, lateral sublixation and tilt and major OA in both knees. Another surgery which included a LR took a bit longer to recover from but about two months of Phyiscal Therapy and I was playing football. A year of that, then LR on the other knee and two months of Physical Therapy and I was playing football again. Now my pain is 99% from OA and Bextra takes care of about 90% of that.
I'd say that's successful 
Posted by oww-myknee (oww-myknee), 10 January 2005
Hey, I had had a partial removal of my lateral miniscus in 2001. I returned to work two days later. Within a two weeks I was back at the gym working my legs, and jogging within a month. I compete at an international level in wakeboarding and was back on my board as soon as the season started. I have had absolutely no problems with that knee since then.
I think that you, like myself have probably just heard all of the negative stories on these posts. It would be nice if more people posted positive outcomes for people to read as well.
Any way good luck with your knee, hope all goes well.
Posted by tonid (tonid), 11 January 2005
pilatesgrl97
I had tears removed from both knees (at the same time), 3 weeks ago, and I have done great.
I was back to work in 2 weeks, and have had no real trouble. I walk completely normal, and most people can't believe how well I get around. I'm not gonna win any race right now, but I haven't taken anything for pain after the 1st week and have been released from PT already.
I never used crutches, and after about day 3, it was much better.
There is hope. Good luck and keep a positive attitude.
I did not have the luxury to take it too slow, the kids are busy and life does go on.
Posted by pilatesgrl97 (pilatesgrl97), 12 January 2005
I just want to say thank you to eveyone that responded..I was pretty upset after I stumbled on this site and read all the negative stories. Reading your experiences made me feel very relieved..Im getting more and more nervous as the surgery inches closer but its worth it to me to have a normal knee(hopefully once again. Also, thank you to everyone that sent well wishes-it really did put a smile on my face ...April
Posted by nmcbride (nmcbride), 13 January 2005
Pilatesgirl97
Try not to worry too much about your surgery, for me it was a breeze, I was in and out the same day, left the hospital walking with no crutches and only a slight limp, pain was minimal. I was back at work 2 weeks later and am still doing okay. Good luck, hope everything goes well for you.
Natalie.
Posted by pilatesgrl97 (pilatesgrl97), 14 January 2005
First thanks for replying and wishing me luck ..Just wondering how long it took you to be able to exercise...thanks in advance...April
Posted by andrewc (AndrewC), 14 January 2005
Hi
DONT forget that a lot of people on this board are here for one reason......because they are the MINORITY that have had trouble post surgery from a "minor" operation such as this. The VAST majority of people never post on a board such as this because they have NO problems post op 
In addition to this as Bwalling said....some people don't mention their age!! and others who are much younger often seem to say something like "well I had pain in my knee for a few years but I just kept playing football/going skiing (or whatever) and tried to ignore the fact my knee crunched and cracked all day!!!"............unfortunately people who do this sort of thing often end up on this board with MULTIPLE knee problems...some of them much more serious than if they had got the original injury seen to ASAP.
Long and short of it......don't worry about your surgery as a Positive Mental Attitude is important in your recovery.
If...worst case scenario...it didn't quite go as hoped then at least you know we will all be here grumbling away!!
All the best
Updated Sat Nov 21 2009
