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.