Hi everyone,
I have been a runner for 18 years, but developed a problem last Autumn. After going for runs sometimes for only 5k, I found that there was pain around my hamstring & knee. The pain got woarse for about 48 hours then eased off. I would delay running for a week or two, & then try again, but each time the pain & problem came back. I have had an MRI scan of my knee & it was diagnosed as having a complex significant tear to the medial meniscus. I am not really an ambitious runner, but do miss not being able to run at least 4 times a week. I have ran 10 marathons, but would like to continue running regularly. I am not sure what surgery can be done to correct tears to the medial meniscus, & whether they are risky or easy to do.
Meniscus "Repair" Surgery almost always involves the cutting away of torn sections of the meniscus. The name is misleading. Very seldom does meniscus repair surgery actually repair or stitch back together your meniscus. The procedure usually gets rid of the pain by getting rid of the tissue, not fixing the actual problem. Meniscus surgery should really be a last resort.
Your Meniscus is living tissue that can heal. Trying to heal it quickly before it tears again is the big challenge. Don't allow your meniscus to be cut away forever by "repair surgery". Take proper action to heal properly so you can have a knee that will support you for the rest of your life.
For a meniscus tear, blood flow is the most critical element in rapid recovery. Blood flow brings oxygen and nutrient rich blood to the area - a requirement for the body to heal itself. Unfortunately, an injured knee at rest often has restricted blood flow which in turn limits the body's ability to heal. Physical activity will promote blood flow but all too often it also results in small but frequent reinjury which extends the healing time and greatly increases the amount of scar tissue that develops. Blood flow stimulation therapy device can allow blood flow to be stimulated in the injured area while you are at rest. With improved blood flow and without physical activity and the risk of reinjury, you can recover from their meniscus injury at surprisingly rapid rates.
Professional athletes use it regularly for injuries, that's why they are back on the field playing again a lot quicker than you or I.
Interesting so who has a blood flow device
Hi all I was running 40-50 miles a week then played squash and damaged meniscus
I could not run as my knee swelled and I was in pain
After 6 months I had keyhole surgery to trim meniscus and have had 10 years of pain free excersise
However I recently have damaged same knee with the same symptoms doing what all sports people tell you not to do is start doing violent movement without warming up
The symptoms are the same can the same area of meniscus be damaged after trimming
It was interesting to read about alternatives to surgery
The problem a lot of us have is sport is too much a pat of our lives to wait and we go for a quick fix.
I am also going to investigate blood flow machine
Hi All,
I also agree that a blood flow device may be the answer. The surgeons who I have seen & who had analysed the MRI Scan of my knee, considered that my condition was not severe enough to warrant taking the risk by opening up the knee. I had hoped for a surgical solution as I had heard this was would put everything back to where it was. However, I am continuing to exercise regularly & find that I can run for about 3 hours. I doesn't feel quite right but it could be far worse I suppose.
I have just read this posting and suspect that it is too late to receive a reply.
I have a significant meniscal tear but I am not a runner. I would be grateful for any advice on how to regain mobility of my knee just so I can weight bear without suffering excruciating pain all the time. I am not a candidate for surgery.
Thank you
Jean
Jen
Hi Allison, my understanding is that the meniscus does not regenergate like muscle tissue. Is it true that a sigificant tear can actually heal? I have no desire to have surgery but need the facts about the type of tissue it is. How is blood flow increased without use of a device? Is heat useful? Thanks.
Hi I realise this is an old post but did your knee get better? I find myself in a similat
r position and want to have some hope for the future as I love my walking!
Jean,
How did your knee problem progress from the time you posted?
I tore my meniscus as well and don't want to have surgery. It scares me.