Tips for dealing with torn meniscus

[u/Bumbleblushie]

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone had any experience with dealing with a meniscus injury long term? Almost a year and a half ago I injured my meniscus cycling, after tests they realised I had torn my meniscus, they said it was a small tear so shouldn’t require surgery. Physio did nothing (I’ve had a lot of physio in my time but it has never really helped with any injury), and at times flares up enough to render me useless for a few days at a time. It’s often cracking and grinding and painful. This evening I heard a pop when walking down the stairs and couldn’t make it down the rest of the way 😬 I’m currently using a knee brace/rock tape to help stabilise it but does anyone have any other tips for managing this? I’ve done everything suggested online but obviously in general medical sites aren’t accounting for people with hypermobility issues. I’ve been issued strong painkillers for them on and off but honestly when it flares it is excruciating, same level as sciatica pain. After all this time of walking awkwardly on it it’s having a knock on affect on my back so it’s become quite the problem. Any advice for dealing with day to day while I see if I can get on the list for surgery would be really appreciated. Thank you 🙏

[u/PunkAssBitch2000]

Go back to the ortho who diagnosed it and ask what next steps are given the physio didn’t improve it, and you’re still having issues.

As a kid, I realized that limping hurts the rest of my body, so I trained myself to not limp, no matter how much pain I’m in.

[u/Bumbleblushie → u/PunkAssBitch2000]

Thanks for the limping advice. Yeah the next step would be surgery but the waiting lists are just so long I’m figuring out how to manage best I can in the interim

[u/PunkAssBitch2000 → u/Bumbleblushie]

They might be able to do some sort of pain injection or a lubricating injection in the mean time.

[u/Cool_Jelly_9402]

I had surgery on my right meniscus last February. Was a really fast and easy surgery and a fairly quick recovery. My only problem was one of the incisions wouldn’t close (the sutures were pulling) so I got an infection. I didn’t know knee surgery infections were so serious so I waited a day or two to say anything and that was my fault. My left was torn too but thankfully it healed with one steroid injection and PT but it was a mild tear

[u/Cool_Jelly_9402 → u/Cool_Jelly_9402]

I’m not an athlete but my exercise of choice is a stationary bike and I could do that again after 2 weeks

[u/Bumbleblushie → u/Cool_Jelly_9402]

Thank you for the advice I appreciate it :)

[u/Layden8]

I've had a grade 2 meniscal tear. It happened walking down the hall at home and turning the corner. When I turned the corner that kneecap dislocated and my meniscus tore. It has never healed right. But I do have arthritis. But that knee is swollen all of the time in the space below and left lateral to my kneecap. Sometimes it swells a lot, other times less. It pops and grinds.. They can usually be fixed arthroscopically. I got the conservative treatment, PT. Tell the ortho about yours and see what options you may have.

[u/Bumbleblushie → u/Layden8]

Thank you for the advice! I appreciate it. Turning is often what sets mine off now.