Surgery - Meniscus Repair Recovery

[Daydreamer21]

Hi all!

This is my first post here- I've been lurking for a while. I was just wondering... I had knee surgery (meniscus repair) about 6 weeks ago and was just told by my doc at a followup that I should be able to return to my original level of functioning within 6 months to a year. This was a far cry from the original assurance that healing time takes approximately 6 weeks. Obviously, we're talking about two different things here.

I'm walking fine, taking stairs ok but I'm DYING to get back on the trails. I definitely don't feel stable enough to go out yet and I don't want to push it before I'm ready, but I'm hoping it's not going to take me another 6 months to get back out there.

I'm just wondering if anyone else has had surgeries that have kept them off the trails and how long it took you to get back out there? Any advice?

Thanks!
Kristina

[BobP]

After my 1st surgery...I was competing in martial arts 2 months later. Then after my second surgery they removed all the remaining meniscus. I did my own physical therapy and was competing again 3 months later. Everyone is diferent and heals at diferent rates...but 6 months seems like a long time unless there was other ligament damage. Hiking is sometimes walking outside...start with a flat stable hike and if it feels good continue. I'm not a Dr. but I did watch a John Hopkins lacrosse game once. Good luck with your rehab

[trekkin_gecko]

do you have a pair of trekking poles? might help you feel more stable
i've had people tell me they take some pressure off the knees

[BobP]

(meniscus repair)

I just noticed it was repair not removal. I've heard that takes longer to heal.

The trekking poles is def good advice.

[Jeffshadows]

Take it slow. Did your doc give you a referral for PT? Ask for one, if not.

[hippiepunkpirate]

I'm not a Dr. but I did watch a John Hopkins lacrosse game once.

Did you stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night?

[Daydreamer21]

I just noticed it was repair not removal. I've heard that takes longer to heal.

The trekking poles is def good advice.

I guess technically it was both- I had a tear that was repaired and he also trimmed out part of it. I've never been an athletic person so this is really the first experience I've had with any kind of sports related injury/recovery.

I have a knee brace for stability, but the discomfort exceeds the helpfulness.

I hadn't even considered trekking poles though. Thanks for the suggestion! I might have to treat myself for keeping up with my rehab.

[Nighthiker]

Had surgery on right knee in 95, followed up with PT and rehab. Step down off of boulders now instead of hopping down. Check for snakes first though.

[Sredfield]

I've had tears in both, treated with 'scope. (I guess it worked; I did 730 miles of the AZT this spring.) On the second one I had done PT before the surgery, recovery was a matter of weeks, not months. Do get into PT, and do get some poles. That'll be $.02.

[gringoantonio]

Everyone's injury severity, health prior to surgery, recovery times, surgeries, etc... are vastly different.

The best advice is probably to do exactly what your Ortho and PT tell you to do. They will know 100x's better than anyone online. Taking your time to recover properly will pay off in the long run.

If you're in good shape and focus on your PT, you'll probably recover faster than expected.

Good luck!

[BobP]

I think the whole purpose of the OP was that she was getting mixed signals from her Dr.

I'm just wondering if anyone else has had surgeries that have kept them off the trails and how long it took you to get back out there? Any advice?

This is what she asked for.....and I think got.

[Jeffshadows]

They will know 100x's better than anyone online.

Surgeons and physical therapists do exist online. Some even post on here. Regardless of that, you are spot-on. Too many people jump on the Net hoping for a magic second opinion that will give them license to ignore medical advice (I'm not suggesting you are doing that, Kristina .)

The paradox of most musculoskeletal injuries seems to be that one must strengthen structures to return to activity. Unfortunately, trying to strenghten those structures can typically lead to further injuries if mismanaged; think about it - you're trying to use something that is broken to make itself strong again in most instances...

[Sun_Ray]

Having gone though several surgery recovery's I've learned to be slow and cautious with recovery time. As others have said, do the PT and follow directions of the professionals in the field. I also feel that once the Doc's learned I was a heavy exerciser and could not wait to get back out on the trails they added to the length of the recover time knowing I was going to not follow there advise and shorten it!

[Daydreamer21]

I think the whole purpose of the OP was that she was getting mixed signals from her Dr.

Exactly- It almost felt like he gave me the "6 week heal time" speech to get me into surgery and then followed up with the 6 mo-1 year to get back to normal activity. Just wanted to see if that was accurate

Surgeons and physical therapists do exist online. Some even post on here. Regardless of that, you are spot-on. Too many people jump on the Net hoping for a magic second opinion that will give them license to ignore medical advice (I'm not suggesting you are doing that, Kristina .)

I'd like to think there's a magical solution out there that'll have me out on the trail tomorrow, but I know it's not the case A girl can dream though, can't she?

Having gone though several surgery recovery's I've learned to be slow and cautious with recovery time.

This is my first surgery of any kind which I think has made me even MORE cautious. I had just significantly increased my activity level (and was SO excited about how much progress I was making) and then this issue came up as a result. I'm a naturally impatient person, hence the burning need to get back out rightnow, but since I've got no reference points for how I heal I just want to make sure I'm not going to make it worse. I guess just the reassurance that other people have been able to get back out there relatively quickly is enough motivation for now.

Thanks everybody!

[Jeffshadows]

I can attest, personally, to what happens if you try to do too much, too soon. What should have taken ~90 days to heal turned into another secondary injury and almost a year of downtime for me!

[AZOutdoorsman]

Hi Kristina. Just came across this thread. So how is the recovery from your knee surgery coming along? - Darrell

[Daydreamer21]

Hi Darrell---
So far so good. The knee is still a little stiff but I've been diligently working out according to doctor's orders. Incidentally, yesterday I took my first sustained hike since surgery with no issues! It took a little longer coming down since I don't have 100% stability but all the cardio I've been doing helped significantly with the ascent. Ice pre and post hike also helped I'm sure. I can't wait to get out and try new trails! Any suggestions?

[cathymocha]

I have returned to North Mountain (my healing mountain) due to a right knee injury and being side-lined for a month; but, perhaps if I get some walking sticks (?)I can return to some of the inner city hikes. I have been reading here about how others have dealt with knee injuries...very helpful.

My injury is a combination of a fall (torn meniscus in two places) and degenerative arthritis. Orthopod not very helpful..."Come in when it hurts too much (in a few months and have another injection), then arthroscopic surgery (within a year), and then knee replacement (within a couple of years)." He said he couldn't hike either because he had blown his knees.

Due to my age (68) he is most likely correct...but, I was hoping I could continue hiking/walking if I slowly increased the muscle strength surrounding my knees. I do ok since the knee injection, just walking, but steps (small boulders) are a problem. I don't want to hurry a replacement along...and miss being able to do just the simple inner-city hikes while the weather is so beautiful.

I should mention that I have lost 28 lbs since the first of October, when I was able to return to hiking/walking following a broken left foot. My cholesterol level has dropped from 262 to 175 due to the hiking and medication. This is the first time I have combined the two and am delighted with the drop in numbers. It may be I'll be able to stop the medication soon. Also, my energy level has greatly increased, so the cardiovascular benefits are obvious to me.

I would so like to continue hiking/walking even though I am older...I just hope it's possible...don't know if i don't try. Anyone have some input? I am only seeking guidance on how others have dealt with knee injuries...this was my first steroid shot.

[azbackpackr]

I have backpacked Grand Canyon and Grand Gulch, and did some hiking around Tucson with several different guys, who ranged in age from 60 to 80, who had either knee replacements or hip replacements, or both. I do hear a lot that slowly building up the muscles that support the knee is key. Do you go to physical therapy? I would think that would be a help as well.

[cathymocha]

Thanks so much for the input. I don't have a physical therapist...doctor didn't order any. But, I'll call my regular doc and see if he will get me connected to one.