Torn Meniscus...

[The Deuce]

Ok so the MRI is back.. I have a TORN Meniscus in My right knee... already had ONE in my LEFT Knee...

Question is.. My Ortho-Doc said I can live with it as long as I can bare the Pain.. Yah it hurts.. so what.. but should I say screw it and just let it be...

Or pay these Bastards 4000 grand-ish to operate and remove it.. set me back in the gym by about 6 weeks on Legs.. Obviously I won't miss more than 3 days for upper body.. but.. in the end result.. what do you guys think?? Grin and Bear it?? Or operate and get it taken care of...

I mean it is what it is.. It's TORN it's NOT going to get any worse.. I have been dealing with it for well over 8 months now.. It only acts up from time to time.. like for instance RIGHT NOW.. It's Throbbing and Killing me, but odds are tomorrow I will wake up and it will be fine..

I just don't see the point of ruining a good thing here and setting me back in training over something so minute...

I want experienced opinions here.. someone who has went through this and ultimately the decision will be up to me but... I am kinda looking for guidance from people who have been through the same kind of scenario and what you guys did for it... Ya know??

Thanks...

[D7M]

I tore mine when in college playing basketball, over 10 years ago.

Never got the surgery. It's painful sometimes, yah.

I really can't squat as heavy as I'd like somedays, but over all it's manageable for me.

then again, I don't know if your case is more severe than mine....

[The Deuce]

Probably not, lol.. the Doc referred to it as "the most common injury, easiest procedure, quickest recovery, PIECE OF CAKE Surgery"

So that to me just says, Yah you really don't need surgery but I'll take your money if you are willing to give it up you Sucker !!

[lovbyts]

Try something, it's pretty cheap and quick. I used it LONG time ago and just started again this week for my back (3 herniated disks) and my shoulder (torn rotator cuff) and it seems to be helping a lot.

DMSO. I am using the gel with Aloe in it. The liquid is supposed to work a little better but this seems to be doing the trick.

[Noles12]

I have torn ligaments in both knees and the meniscus in my right. I had the meniscus fixed and it was a simple surgery but yes it will set you back a little bit. I also have gone on the no surgery route involving a torn rotator cuff and it bothers me everyday. So i guess really it depends on what you want to pay for and deal with

[lovbyts]

luckily mine will not COST anything, I just dont want to loose my gains and am trying to work around it and not lift heavy

[terraj]

I say, get it fixed right the first time. So you loss some weight...it will come back fast and you will be fit and pain free....

[ghettoboyd]

hey bro, i have lived with a torm muniscus in my right knee now for many years.....i origonaly had it reapired over 15 yrs ago and have since had the left knee reconstructed. i personaly am waiting till it breaks and forces me to get the procedure done as i cant stand to let my legs atropy again. i just work through it and only do legs when my knee isnt hurting....so leg day istnt always on the same day but o well,its working for me........for the record i have had 3 muniscus repairs in the last 15 years.....and i fell it is holding me back somewhat as i dont dare go over 315 lbs for squats......i just do higher reps.....i also find if i do them sumo style the pain is far less than when my legs are directly under me.....my 2 cents....good luck

[The Deuce]

dude... You are not gonna believe this.. but I was PAIN FREE in the KNEE until I did the SUMO SQUAT !! Ever since then it has been SCREAMING !!!

Go figure.. and I was lightweight with it too.. just a simple 225lbs.. When I go 495 with legs beneath me...

It leads me to believe that I have had the Meniscus injury for awhile and the motion of the SUMO SQUAT irritated it beyond belief !!

[lovbyts]

Did you try my simple little fix? OK it's not a 100% fix but it helps me a LOT. DMSO check it out and most Vitamin stores carry it.

[KD735]

Here's the deal with meniscal tears... a.) yes, piece of cake...in the right hands! Trust me...I've trained with plenty of guys...and just like some artists are better than others, some docs are better than others at cleaning these things and taking them out. Research your Ortho doc!!!!!!!!! You wouldn't take your car to a s****y mechanic would you? b.) They NEVER heal on their own unless you are young, and its what we call a red-on-white tear. There is very limited blood supply to the meniscus, especially the older we get, which is why 90% of the time, we just trim out the torn piece. c.) a torn meniscus is painful, and the pain is quickly alleviated by surgery. d.) and perhaps most importantly....torn menisci throw off the mechanics of the entire knee. This not only predisposes to compensatory pain and ligamentous injury....but it also sets you up for the development of early arthritis. You essentially have a poorly functioning cushion between the femur and tibia-- take it away and you make the femur cartilage slam on the tibia cartilage, and over time, it rapidly speeds up the progression of arthritis.

THAT along with the pain should be your two biggest motivating factors to elect for surgery sooner rather than later. CAN you live with it? ....sure....but at what cost in the long run is what you need to ask yourself.