Meniscus tear on knee

A knee support will stop your knee twisting and enable you to walk better and take the strain off the other leg. You do need to take it off, however, when you go to bed.

That’s interesting Fairislecable.

My surgery was done in 2018 when I was 63 and still working full time.

I looked up the current criteria for funding for my local health trust. It says:

Patients will only be funded if they meet the criteria below:

Arthroscopy of the knee can be undertaken where a competent clinical examination (or MRI scan if there is diagnostic uncertainty or red flag* symptoms/signs/conditions/reason) has demonstrated clear evidence of an internal joint derangement (meniscal tear, ligament rupture or loose body) and where conservative treatment has failed or where it is clear that conservative treatment will not be effective.

Knee arthroscopy can therefore be carried out for:

Removal of loose body where there is a clear history of locking and other treatment has failed.
Meniscus resection/meniscectomy or meniscus repair in line with BASK guidelines.
Articular cartilage debridement/chondroplasty or microfracture of chondral defect.
Anterior or posterior ligament reconstruction-primary or revision.
Synovectomy/symptomatic plica.
To assist selection of appropriate patients for uni-compartmental knee replacement.
Treatment of osteoarthritis with arthroscopic lavage (washout) and debridement only if the person has knee osteoarthritis with a clear history of mechanical locking (not gelling, ‘giving way’ or X-ray evidence of loose bodies).
Continuing diagnostic uncertainty following MRI, but only in the following circumstances:
when the MRI is of low quality and cannot be interpreted
the report shows a significant degree of movement artefact
where the patient has had an Anterior Cruciate Ligament
reconstruction and the metal screws are affecting the image quality
patient has a pacemaker.

Knee arthroscopy will not be funded for any of the following indications:

Diagnostic purposes only (noting the above exception)
Investigation of knee pain (MRI is a less invasive alternative for the investigation of knee pain)
Treatment of osteoarthritis including arthroscopic lavage (washout) and debridement without a clear history of mechanical locking (not gelling, ‘giving way’ or X-ray evidence of loose bodies)

*Red flag symptoms or signs include recent trauma, constant progressive non-mechanical pain (particularly at night), previous history of cancer, long term oral steroid use, history of drug abuse or HIV, fever, being systematically unwell, recent unexplained weight loss, persistent severe restriction of joint movement, widespread neurological changes, and structural deformity. Red flag conditions include infection, carcinoma, nerve root impingement, bony fracture and avascular necrosis.

Funding for knee arthroscopy outside the defined criteria will only be funded in clinically exceptional circumstances.

I do fall within the list of red flags.

My treatment in 2018 did happen very quickly. Symptoms February, diagnostics March, operation June so maybe I was fast tracked because of the red flag. If I was, I don’t recall being told.

Might you fall within any of the the red flag criteria Glenfinnan if RICE doesn’t work?

erm...above, "crutches" not crushes....

I've had a torn meniscus for about 2/3 months. They do take a long time to heal and it's easy to "Re twig". But I was hopping and putting very little weight on for some time but now its a lot better.

it depends how bad it is, nowadays operations are not the first port of call My knee did NOT lock. I didnt need crushes, a knee support was enough.

Yes yes yes to RICE

Don't stop walking however, unless its really bad, and it it is you should go to your GP.

Use that knee support to help. your meniscus needs all the healing power from increased oxygen/blood flow from movement, :

I had a short consultation at the gym and the physio said dont be put off from low levels of pain from doing light weight bearing stuff.

And yes yes yes to knee supports. I bought a couple with different levels of support (elastic based) and they really really help.

I still "twig" it now and then with a clumsy twist. but remember it depends where and how badly the meniscus is damaged. If it's really bad you wont be able to walk on it.

Read up on it
www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=can+I+walk+if+I+have+a+meniscus+injury&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

and look up on U tube...just find out what you can..

Glenfinnan

Don’t know how I did this! But painful and hobbling around! Hospital said just painkillers…. Any advice? Should I buy a knee support etc?

Hospital gave me a splint but I found it really awkward to wear and very hot (it was summer)..
I don't know how I did mine either. The Consultant I saw said he wouldn't operate to 'tidy it up' because I was waiting for a partial knee replacement and they would do it then.

I'm still waiting, four and a half years later.
The meniscus doesn't really bother me now 🤞

Many years ago when I was working this happened to me and my knee kept giving way so I had a meniscectomy which cured everything.

Fairislecable i do hope your knee improves.,this is new to me! Fingers crossed that RICE works!

I had a meniscus tear some years ago the knee then locked and an arthroscopy was performed. It was about a year before it returned to normal.

I now have problems with the other knee and the physio told me they don’t do arthroscopy any more on the NHS unless the knee is locked!

Yes Graphite hospital said just RICE I didn’t ask about leg support. Did this last Friday … I’m just impatient to get moving properly. Thank you for your reply

I have had this. Some tears can heal with RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) and physio. Others may need surgery. Presumably the hospital have scanned the knee to see the extent of the damage.

I had an arthroscopic (keyhole) partial meniscectomy. This is where the surgeon removes the torn, damaged portion of the meniscus and smooths the edges I was home the next day but needed physio afterwards. Post-op pain and swelling was troublesome. It was several weeks before I was fully recovered and could drive again.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/meniscus-tear/