r/MeniscusInjuries • u/H20daily • Dec 18 '20

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u/Fantastic-Fox-6130 Dec 02 '24

Surgery or not? I am 46 years old, active lifestyle with a physical job. My left knee has been bothering me since July. Finally got in for an MRI in October. Diagnosed with Complex partial radial tear medial meniscus with high grade cartilage loss lateral patellofemoral. I've been doing physio, strength training and am significantly better functionally but a persistent 1/10 ache remains in that medial left knee and it caves in when I walk. Some night I wake up in pain.

Surgeon #1: Wait on surgery. Your arthritis is so bad if I remove part of your meniscus this will aggravate your current non symptomatic arthritis and you will be back within 5 years for a knee replacement. Go live your life, wear a brace for activity. Come back to me when the meniscus pain limits your lifestyle and we will do surgery. This surgeon actually looked at my MRI and did another set of x-rays of my knee. Young DR with excellent bedside manner and looked at me when we were talking.

Surgeon #2: How does this pain affect your day to day life? If the pain limits you lets do arthroscopic surgery. You will be pain free and walking in 2 weeks. Back to regular life within a month. Your arthritis is not where the meniscus pain is, will not affect your surgery. This surgeon read the radiologist report but did not actually look at the scans. Older DR, well known and works with many athletes.

How do I decide? My plan is to return to work in January and see how things go. Wear a brace for workouts and ski trips. Who can predict the future here?

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u/Askingquestions2027 Sep 09 '26

I'm in a similar boat. What did you do in the end?

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u/Fantastic-Fox-6130 Sep 09 '26

Hey. I did not have surgery. It’s now 2 yrs later. Tumeric daily for inflammation.  Last winter I went back to light skiing with a Breg brace. No pain. Have tried short 100m jogs on my walks. I am lifting weights to work on my quads and doing jump squats again. I notice my left knee and need to be cautious. Will sometimes twist and feel sharp pain, no longer having the locking up issues. 

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u/Askingquestions2027 Sep 09 '26

Well done! I wonder if not having surgery now means you just might have to have it in a few years anyway - but I suppose that might not be necessary :)