[at-l] meniscus repair/recovery question

[garyticknor@starpower.net (Gary Ticknor)]

I tore my medial meniscus in a fall near Vandeventner Shelter in May of '97.
End of hiking season. By December I realized it wasn't getting any better so I
went to my GP, who, saying "I don't do knees" sent me to the Artho Surgery guy.
He ordered a cat scan and operated - outpatient, in one morning and out by the
early afternoon. Four tiny little cuts. When the pain killers wore off it hurt
like hell for 3 days. I was walking (limping) by the end of the week and hiking
in about 2 months. I ended up doing about 376 miles that year. That was 1400
miles ago. No pain at all after the first few months. Full strength in the
knee. Note I carry a light (not ultra) pack.

Did he say why he has to "re-do" the repair? Mine trimmed a flap "sticking out"
from the inside of the "horseshoe" of meniscus. He said there was lots left.
But I suspect each case of damage is different.

This summer I think I did it more harm falling clutzily down 2 stairs at the
beach. It didn't much like hiking in the Whites :( I am wondering if I should
go see the doctor again but am resting it and only doing light day hikes for
now.

Hope this helps.

- Gary from Fairfax

Bruce Calkins wrote:

> I am looking for some persons who have had meniscus repairs done by
> Arthroscopic surgery.  I need to compare notes before I let the surgeon go
> in and "re-do" the repair.  In particular I need to compare pain "patterns"
>  as in what should still be hurting and how much.  It has been a little
> over five months since the original surgery.  I really don't want to endure
> the surgery if I have a good chance to finish recovering without getting
> things carved up again.
> Black Wolfe