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Tag: knee surgery

  • What are the Signs of a Worsening Meniscus Tear?

    What are the Signs of a Worsening Meniscus Tear?

    A little over a year ago, after reviewing the results of the MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) on both knees, my orthopedic doctor said I did not need knee surgery – just therapy and that I “have many more miles on the knees.”

    Well, as far as I am concerned, the quality of those miles stinks because I cannot even take my dogs for a short walk by the lake across the street from my house without my knees hurting or swelling up.

    Most recently, after a few hours of light yard work, my left knee swelled up, was very painful, was difficult to even walk around my house, and I lost full range of motion of that knee.

    I did what is typically recommended by healthcare professionals: rest, ice, compression, elevation. heat, took acetaminophen and muscle relaxers (I cannot stomach NSAIDs/anti-inflammatory medication), and even soaked in my Epsom salt baths for extra time each night.

    That seemed to help, and the swelling went down with the range of motion returning as well. That is, until a few weeks later, I was preparing for a camping trip with some of my favorite girlfriends, and did the following tasks:

    • Loading up my camper with supplies
    • Hooking up the camper to my vehicle
    • Driving three hours to Lake Michigan on the west side of Pure Michigan
    • Unhooking the camper
    • Setting up the popup camper
    • Setting up our campsite
    • Unloading coolers
    • Making dinner
    • Setting up the dogs on longlines
    • Walking the dogs around the campground

    Granted, it was a lot of work, but I had an ice pack on my knee the whole drive out to Holland State Park, wore a knee brace, and tried to rest in between tasks. My friends were a huge help as well and did not let me do too much (one is a nurse), yet I am still hurting a week later with limited range of motion. I have a strong feeling that the meniscus tear is getting worse, at least in the left knee.

    According to London Cartilage Clinic, they suggest the warning signs of a worsening meniscus tear are, “Meniscus tears are among the most common knee injuries and can affect people of all ages — especially those who are active in sports or experience gradual wear and tear. These injuries might happen suddenly or develop slowly over time, and if left untreated, they can worsen, leading to more serious knee problems.

    Persistent or increasing pain — whether during activity or even while resting — is often a sign that the injury is progressing, particularly in cases of progressive knee pain meniscus issues. Swelling and stiffness that come and go, or gradually worsen, also suggest ongoing inflammation or damage. One key symptom to watch out for is a feeling of your knee locking, catching, or giving way — sometimes called knee locking torn meniscus. This can seriously limit your movement and day-to-day activities. Additionally, any noticeable reduction in how far you can bend or straighten your knee, or visible changes in the knee’s shape, should not be ignored,”.

    *Note: All content within this article is meant for informational purposes only and is in no way a replacement for professional medical or psychological advice or support. Seek immediate and appropriate care from a healthcare professional should you or a trusted loved one deem it necessary.

    How long to wear knee brace for torn meniscus

    Although I have bought two wrap-around knee braces, one for each knee, I always seem to forget to use them. That is until I have pain after doing work that requires a lot of movement, walking up and down stairs, or lifting. However, at that point, I am behind the gun, so to speak, and have to play catch-up to address swelling when I should have been proactive and worn the brace in the first place. Ugg!

    Based on the type of knee injury I have, the experts at  Exakt Health suggest that, “A hinged knee brace provides a high level of support to control instability at the front and sides of your knee.

    If your meniscus is torn on both sides, this brace may offer the best support. It is also the brace of choice for ligament injuries, like your ACL, medial collateral ligament (MCL), lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL).

    Hinged braces can be soft or rigid and usually provide some form of compression. The severity of your injury will determine if you need a soft or rigid one. Compression helps decrease swelling, which reduces pain and promotes healing within the knee.

    These braces prevent side to side knee movement and limit the bending and straightening of your knee to within a given range. Limits to ranges of movement are usually determined by a healthcare professional who knows the extent and type of your meniscus injury,”.

    Okay, okay, I hear you loud and clear – I literally just iced my knee for twenty minutes and currently have the knee brace on. Based on what I learned, I will continue to do so for the next four to six weeks and then reassess at a later date.

    How do you know if a meniscus tear is healing?

    For most of my life, I have been an athlete, have historically had a high metabolism, eat healthily, and usually have an athletic body type. Since being on the injured list for the last couple of years, in menopause and dealing with sleep apnea, I have put on extra weight that I am not used to carrying.

    Two years ago, I started an easy-does-it type of weight training, focusing mostly on my upper body and core because of my knee injuries. However, the recent meniscus tear flare-ups have inhibited me from even doing that. Maybe if I can continue icing and using the knee braces, I can get back in the gym to do a whole-body workout, including cardio, to help shed those unwanted pounds.

    Liquid Cartilage says that, “One of the first signs your meniscus is healing is that pain starts to ease. Initially, pain might be sharp or persistent when you move or put weight on your knee. But as healing progresses, you should notice the pain becoming less intense and less frequent.

    Swelling is another key sign to watch out for.

    Flexibility and range of movement offer valuable clues too. As you heal, these movements should become smoother and less uncomfortable.

    Improved ability to perform everyday tasks — like walking, climbing stairs, or light exercise — also signals healing. Paying attention to these functional gains is helpful when monitoring your recovery at home,”.

    What are the signs of a worsening meniscus tear?

    In conclusion, when knee pain, swelling, stiffness, or limited motion keep returning, it is worth listening to your body and checking in with a trusted healthcare professional.

  • Health Benefits of Mowing the Lawn

    Health Benefits of Mowing the Lawn

    There are many benefits of mowing the lawn that we will definitely discuss, but for now, mowing the lawn is not necessarily beneficial for my knee health. Currently, I have torn meniscus tears in both my left and right knees.

    Until the tears are repaired either through knee surgery and the use of knee recovery machines or through healing by exploring the benefits of peptide treatments, pushing a lawnmower is out of the question – for now.

    Because of my situation, I bought a riding lawn mower yesterday! For the first time in my life, I will be cutting my own grass. I grew up in a townhome where my mom and I lived for seventeen years, and it had a lawn service, which was a positive benefit, but I did not have a lawn of my own.

    From there, we moved to a flat in downtown Plymouth. We lived in the lower flat, and the guy in the upper flat enjoyed cutting the grass, so I did not have to cut it. Then I married a landscaper, and, of course, he cut the grass.

    When our oldest son was ten years old, he wanted to cut the grass. He has been cutting the grass ever since, and he loves it! However, now that he is twenty-one years old, he has a full-time job and does not have time to mow the lawn anymore, which is why I bought the riding mower.

    According to Psychology Today, “Mowing the grass has mind-body health benefits. There’s something meditative about pushing a mower back and forth across that patch of green. Plus, it’s a practical way to work in a workout while burning some serious calories.

    Back and forth and back again. Focusing on the repetitive movement of mowing helps you slip into a calmer state of mind. Meanwhile, the green surroundings help restore attention and promote a sense of well-being,”.

    Benefits of mowing the lawn, from the perspective of a health workout company (ABC Fitness Connection), “The next time you need extra motivation to mow the lawn, remember this: mowing and trimming your grass can also help you trim your waistline. Pushing your lawn mower acts as an efficient form of cardiovascular exercise, and even comes recommended by the Franklin Institute as a way to work your entire body and improve your heart health. The calorie-burning or metabolism-boosting effects of mowing your lawn vary, depending on your body weight as well as the kind of lawn mower you’re using,”.

    Okay, with a riding mower, I won’t be able to benefit exercise-wise, but I will be able to enjoy the meditative experience. Furthermore, I will get fresh air, more opportunities to talk to my neighbors, and appreciate the social interaction, as well as the much-needed sunshine therapy.

    Riding lawn mower vs push mower

    Besides my knees needing a break, one of the main reasons I decided to purchase a riding lawn mower was that it can be used as a leaf sucker in the fall with a special attachment. I have many trees on my property, which is almost an acre in size – another reason a riding mower is better for my usage.

    Since my sons were little, they helped their dad with leaf cleanups in the fall and spring. After the divorce, I would ask them to continue doing the leaf cleanups for their “old mama” (ha, ha). Unfortunately, they have severe allergies and asthma, which are exacerbated by the leaves, especially in the fall. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on hiring a company, I bought a riding lawn mower.

    Another benefit of a riding mower over a push mower is that I can attach a plow for winter snow removal. However, I have a rock driveway, so it’s a little tricky. Since my ex-husband is in landscaping, in the winter, he performs snow removal and ice management.

    When we were married, after a long night of snow maintenance work, he would back-blade our rock driveway with the plow adjusted so that it wouldn’t be at ground level, in an attempt not to remove or shift the rocks around.

    How to clear snow off a gravel driveway?

    After many years, it was inevitable, and we lost a lot of rocks when the snow melted and slid downhill; hence, we redid the driveway a few years ago. The driveway is a half-circle that heads uphill at its entrance and slopes downhill at its exit, surrounding a beautiful, large oak tree in the middle.

    Bray Topsoil and Gravel suggests that it is possible to clear off a gravel driveway: “Snow and ice can create a number of issues in gravel driveways, such as ruts, potholes, and washouts as the snow melts. And inevitably, gravel will move regardless of whether you remove snow from the driveway.

    Fear not! With a little adjusting to how you remove snow, your gravel driveway will fare just as well as an asphalt driveway would. Here are our top tips for removing snow from your gravel driveway.

    1. Rock salt and melting materials work best. Preparation is always best if you can swing it. Check your snow/ice melt instructions, but many work best if you put them down ahead of a storm blowing into town.

    2. Try a shovel first. The first thing to address should be the top layer of snow. Clear it just like you would an asphalt sidewalk by using a snow shovel. However, once you get to the bottom layers where the snow and ice mix with the gravel, switch out your tools. Then it’s time to…

    3. Use a garden rake. Got snow that’s heavy and wet? A garden rake is surprisingly effective at removing dense snow. It’s also perfect for getting into the bottom layers of snow while keeping the gravel somewhat in place.

    4. Got a snowplow? You can still use it. If you have a snowplow, prepare to rake or shovel the gravel back into place after the storm has passed.

    5. Blow that snow away,”.

    Huh, I never thought about using a rake – what a good idea!

    Health benefits of mowing the lawn

    In conclusion, whether you ride or push a mower, tending your lawn delivers real physical and mental rewards — and a little fresh air never hurt anyone’s outlook.

  • Torn Meniscus Knee Recovery Time

    Torn Meniscus Knee Recovery Time

    Over the last five years or so, I have been nursing many injuries. Injuries that were incurred several years ago, but I failed to heed the warnings of physical trainers and coaches, thus resulting in multiple overworked injuries that have never been attended to. Injuries such as:

    • Impingement in left shoulder
    • Scar tissue buildup and limited range of motion in my right shoulder
    • Pelvic floor muscle loss and nerve pain
    • Sciatica on the lower left side of my back
    • Torn meniscus in left knee
    • Baker’s cyst on back of left knee
    • Torn meniscus in right knee
    • Baker’s cyst on back of right knee
    • Limited range of motion in neck
    • Bunyon on right foot

    While I have tried many means to address and recover, my knees have fallen to the end of the priority list. I’ve come to an impasse as the exercises I need to do for my back hurt my knees. So, I need to have some knee recovery equipment, or else they will get worse.  

    According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Meniscus surgery is a common operation to remove or repair a torn meniscus, a piece of cartilage in the knee. The surgery requires a few small incisions and takes about an hour. Recovery and rehabilitation take a few weeks. The procedure can reduce pain, improve mobility and stability, and get you back to life’s activities,”.

    However, that depends on a lot of variables such as age, degree of tear, health, weight, and willingness to do the work of recovery. Or, like I have been doing, walking on these knee injuries for over a year and a half now without any rehab or surgery.

    Will walking on a torn meniscus make it worse?

    I can tell that it is getting worse, but I certainly have adjusted my activity. I live in a colonial home with a finished basement, so there are two flights of 12 stairs each. Only four years ago, I was jogging up and down the stairs for exercise; now, I have to limit my trips during the day. The stairs seem to be very hard on my knees. At night, they’re swollen and sore until I can rest again and sleep.

    The Mayo Clinic suggests, “Your doctor might recommend rest. Avoid activities that aggravate your knee pain, especially any activity that causes you to twist, rotate or pivot your knee. If your pain is severe, using crutches can take pressure off your knee and promote healing,”. Ouch, I squinted when I read that! I can literally hear my knees make a “crunching” sound when I  accidentally pivot.

    In cases with acute tears, a person might be able to walk around with only slight discomfort or minimal pain. However, if there is increased pain (like in my case) or there’s a severe tear, one should avoid walking on it until the pain starts to dissipate. Well, try to tell that to a working mother of two teenage boys – who has time for rehab or surgery.

    However, within several days, the knee can get progressively worse, becoming stiff, swollen, and painful. As the torn meniscus is left untreated or continues to be aggravated through walking on it, the surrounding tissues and cartilage in the knee joint can suffer further damage.

    This can lead to increased pain, limited range of motion, and potentially even more severe complications down the line. Ignoring the pain and continuing to push through daily activities can result in a longer and more difficult recovery process in the long run.

    It may be challenging to find the time for rehab or surgery as a busy mother with responsibilities, but taking care of our physical health is crucial for our overall well-being. Neglecting the necessary steps to address a torn meniscus can ultimately impact our ability to fully engage in daily activities and take care of our loved ones effectively.

    Seeking guidance and treatment from a healthcare professional is essential to prevent further damage and promote healing. Physical therapy, rest, and potentially surgery may be necessary to address the torn meniscus adequately. By following medical advice and taking the time to prioritize self-care, individuals can work towards regaining strength and mobility in their knee joints.

    While it may seem daunting to make the time for treatment amidst a busy schedule, investing in our health now can prevent more extensive issues later on. Taking small steps towards recovery, such as utilizing crutches to reduce pressure on the knee or avoiding activities that exacerbate pain, can make a significant difference in the healing process.

    Remember that self-care is not a luxury but a necessity, especially when it comes to addressing injuries like a torn meniscus. By prioritizing your health and well-being, you are not only taking care of yourself but also ensuring that you can continue to tackle the daily challenges that come your way.

    Is meniscus surgery a major surgery?

    That’s what I am concerned about. How will this surgery affect my daily activities and work life? It’s going to need to be done twice, once on each knee. Plus, that doesn’t even include the concerns I have about whether my insurance will cover it. Before I go too far into the future, let’s find out if it is significant surgery or not.

    Apparently, the surgery is primarily arthroscopic (minimally invasive), although additional small incisions or cuts may be necessary to perform the repair. A variety of devices or sutures can be used to perform a repair.

    Washington University Orthopedic Physicians states, “The physical therapy following meniscal repair varies depending on a number of factors. Most patients can put weight on the knee soon after surgery, although a brace may be used. Running is usually delayed until 3-4 months after surgery while a full return to sports and squatting typically occurs after 4-6 months,”.

    Well, before I need surgery, I am going to have to talk to my orthopedic again. He seems to think we can work this out with physical therapy. I’d like to try my alternative therapy acupuncturist guy; he’s amazing. I’ll try it all. In fact, I recently heard about an advanced computerized machine used in your own home. It has enabled patients to quickly regain two of the most critical functions following knee surgery, range of motion and strength, without pain. Without pain is what I am talking about! Shoulder rehab was tough; I can only imagine what a knee pt would be like, so this machine is intriguing to me.

    Torn meniscus knee recovery time

    In conclusion, be sure to discuss everything with a physician first and get all the testing required before making any rash decisions. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as medical advice.