Running with torn meniscus

punzy0215
punzy0215 Posts: 17 Member
in Motivation and Support
So, I love to be out and about when I have my free time or getting off work early and going out on a quick run. But lately my old injury has been such a bugger! Left knee torn meniscus. Gah! Now, it even bothers me in fast pace walks. I love getting my cardio through running/walking but with this issue it's been so discouraging. I could bear through it but I'm not sure if I should. Anyone else going through somewhat of a similar issue?

Replies

  • NaturalNancy
    NaturalNancy Posts: 1,093 Member
    Most Def ask your Dr. sounds serious, you wouldn't want to injure it more.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • punzy0215
    punzy0215 Posts: 17 Member
    Yeah, that's what I was told by a co worker. I hurt it when I was 17 and ever since then it's been acting funny. Recently it buckled on me during burpees and boy did it hurt. Dropped me on the floor painful. I'm afraid that if I get that surgery that it would mess me up for the rest of my life, or would not be able to get back to doing things outside. I don't know, maybe I'm just over thinking this.
  • ltssharon
    ltssharon Posts: 195 Member
    Hi. It was discovered that I have a partial tear in my lateral meniscus, and I was sent to physical therapy to prepare for surgery (make sure I was strong enough - really stupid because I am plenty strong). Anyway, the physical therapist identified that the actual problem was a ligament in the upper calf that attaches to the kneecap needed some stretching (which I did myself by moving the kneecap in a prescribed manner). This fixed the pain I was having. Then I showed the physical therapist another spot by the knee where I had really minor pain. He gave me exercises for it and it fixed it. Upshot - maybe it is a different problem than the torn meniscus. But I am in the same boat as you, because I still have a torn meniscus, and don't know if I need surgery. I do know that surgery would reduce the padding between the bones, and since I already have bone spurs that make bone close to bone, I want to keep all padding. I NEVER want knee replacement surgery. It is horrible in terms of the recovery.
  • punzy0215
    punzy0215 Posts: 17 Member
    Thanks guys!!!

    Sharon, thank you as well! See, this is one of my biggest fears concerning knee surgery. Everyday I convince myself that I'll figure out a way of making my way through a surgery free life. So I'm trying to lose a bit of my winter weight and running usually my go to and quite effective mind you. But with this issue, it's been discouraging to the point of making excuses for getting fit.
  • Gisel2015
    Gisel2015 Posts: 4,187 Member
    ltssharon wrote: »
    Hi. It was discovered that I have a partial tear in my lateral meniscus, and I was sent to physical therapy to prepare for surgery (make sure I was strong enough - really stupid because I am plenty strong). Anyway, the physical therapist identified that the actual problem was a ligament in the upper calf that attaches to the kneecap needed some stretching (which I did myself by moving the kneecap in a prescribed manner). This fixed the pain I was having. Then I showed the physical therapist another spot by the knee where I had really minor pain. He gave me exercises for it and it fixed it. Upshot - maybe it is a different problem than the torn meniscus. But I am in the same boat as you, because I still have a torn meniscus, and don't know if I need surgery. I do know that surgery would reduce the padding between the bones, and since I already have bone spurs that make bone close to bone, I want to keep all padding. I NEVER want knee replacement surgery. It is horrible in terms of the recovery.

    NEVER say never!! IF you have OA and no meniscus left you will end up bone to bone and in the long run you may develop necrosis in the area. Not having meniscus left means that the knee joint will not work properly and it will most likely affect your gait (even if you don't notice it), and give you pain in your hip and lower back. Your IT band may also get affected and you will have more pain in the knee and outer thigh area. Your knees may also buckle while walking and you will find yourself on the floor and not knowing how you got there.

    If you are at goal weight, healthy, active and fit the recovery will be less problematic. I hope that you never have to really, really need surgery; but if you do the solution is better than living with constant pain or being unable to walk normally.
  • Bluepegasus
    Bluepegasus Posts: 333 Member
    Don't ever run through an injury. I have made that mistake in the past and ended up making it much worse and then had to take off 4 months for it!
  • punzy0215
    punzy0215 Posts: 17 Member
    These are great help and insight. I'm very grateful! Did y'all have used a different workout replacing running/walking that's easier" the knee?
  • tnm7760
    tnm7760 Posts: 109 Member
    My bro-in-law injured his while playing college baseball. He had it fixed once he graduated. It was an easy fix, same day surgery, relatively short recovery (took it easy for a few weeks though).

    He's now 31, a high school baseball coach, PE/health teacher, and is really active. He runs regularly, plays ball, lifts weights, etc. He doesn't have any problems from it and it hasn't slowed him down. He's in great physical shape. But I know it caused him a lot of problems in the year or two when he dealt with the injury before surgery. Worth seeing a doctor, for sure.
  • SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage
    SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage Posts: 2,668 Member
    Bluepegasus wrote: »
    Don't ever run through an injury. I have made that mistake in the past and ended up making it much worse and then had to take off 4 months for it!

    Me too. Physio and 3 months off. Not good.
    OP I suggest getting in a pool of you feel the need to run. Deep water running is hard! Just don't forget to wear your pink flowered swim cap ;)
  • punzy0215
    punzy0215 Posts: 17 Member
    Wow tnm7760 I hope I get as fortunate as you're bro in law. That is a great recovery story. One of the few. I just would love to be able to keep up with my son someday. LOL.

    Sarcasmismylanguage, LOL don't you worry. I'm the type that would wear something like a pink cap just too embarrass his fiancee. Lol! Great idea though thanks! Water exercises. And a great excuse to get in the pool. :-)
  • sherrieann1a
    sherrieann1a Posts: 1 Member
    I have problems with both my knees. I had surgery to repair the underside of my knee caps. 33 years later I am paying for that surgery. It hurts but what I was advised was to maintain good strong quads. I bike and that helps my knees as I am at the point that too much walking is painful. You could try biking for cardio. Also deep water running is great and hard too. good luck
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    edited March 2016
    Torn meniscus has a huge range.
    I had a "bucket-handle" tear and had to have an open meniscectomy to remove 90% of it. Have very little running capacity in that knee (3 to 5k a WEEK). But it tolerates hundred mile cycles with not much complaint. Lost the posterior cruciate ligament in the same injury.

    Other knee had minor meniscus tears and general wear which caused pain and swelling after about 5k of running. Had arthroscopic "tidy up" plus laser debridement of my patella (old fracture) and it was an absolute breeze as regards recovery. Deep knee bends, lunges and hops after just a week.

    Cycling can be very kind to knees but of course injury specific.

    Definitely don't run through pain, definitely do get it properly assessed - then you can make an informed decision.

  • punzy0215
    punzy0215 Posts: 17 Member
    sijomial wrote: »
    Torn meniscus has a huge range.
    I had a "bucket-handle" tear and had to have an open meniscectomy to remove 90% of it. Have very little running capacity in that knee (3 to 5k a WEEK). But it tolerates hundred mile cycles with not much complaint. Lost the posterior cruciate ligament in the same injury.

    Other knee had minor meniscus tears and general wear which caused pain and swelling after about 5k of running. Had arthroscopic "tidy up" plus laser debridement of my patella (old fracture) and it was an absolute breeze as regards recovery. Deep knee bends, lunges and hops after just a week.

    Cycling can be very kind to knees but of course injury specific.

    Definitely don't run through pain, definitely do get it properly assessed - then you can make an informed decision.

    So cycling I heard was another good alternative. Been looking around for a decent price road bike, even a used one for a starter. I have been enjoying lunges(not) but it definitely kicks my butt. Thanks for the great advice and sharing.
  • upoffthemat
    upoffthemat Posts: 679 Member
    Definitely talk to a doctor before you make a small fixable problem into a huge lifelong problem. It isn't something to diagnose on a message board or to mess around with.

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