Anybody had a torn meniscus in their knee? I have a question.

[democrat in Tallahassee]

I just had the MRI last Saturday and can't see the orthopedic til Sept 8. It is a torn medial lateral minescus. I walk for exercise. Is it ok to continue to do this while I'm waiting. Should I wear a ace bandage or anything to support it. Can't get hold of my regular dr--I was put on hold yesterday and finally hung up.
If anyone has any experience I'd appreciate it.
I don't know how severe the tear is but it hurts pretty badly and I did it a month ago.

[sendero]

1. I don't know anything specific..

.... about that injury, but I've had a few injuries myself.

My hard-learned rule of thumb is "if it hurts, don't do it".

If whatever you are doing is not causing pain you are probably ok...

[mitchtv]

2. I had it, couldn't walk

I would say stay off it.

[Hobo]

3. When I tore mine

I was in a knee immobilizer for six weeks before my surgery. I could walk but couldn't bend knee. Finally got scoped and he repaired/removed the menicus.


Hobo

:beer:

[Spinzonner]

4. It depends on how badly it's torn

Might wear a knee brace to minimize the likelihood of tearing it further due to excessive turning of the joint. I dont think a bandage is as effective for that.

Avoid running both for the strain and risk of further tearing. Walking might be OK depending on how severe the tear is but as another suggested, If it hurts you're probably doing too much.

Want to avoid excessive swelling, especially blood in the joint. Ice it to reduce or minimize swelling.

[Elidor]

5. Use a bandage, take it easy, see a physical therapist

And don't take advice from web boards. :)

[Dem2theMax]

6. Baby the knee till surgery. I've had both knees done.

I did too much exercising with the left knee (before surgery) and made a bad situation a lot worse.

[kodi]

7. I have had a meniscus tear. rest it until you see the doctor.

try not to do much step climbing or walking. if the tear is not too bad the doc will tell you the same, but if its worse, under the knife you will go and you will have to get it scoped.

since it still hurts a month on now, chances are its not good, and you should expect surgery to recover completely... maybe a couple of weeks on crutches, depending on your general strength in the knee, it will slowly heal up and then you should be as good as new. but take it very easy for a while. no running, jumping or severe exertion on the leg

sorry to hear of it. mine caused me to stop playing basketball at age 42..... and i was a gym rat from the age of 14 on.

if you were running on concrete or asphalt, stop it immediately. it will destroy your knees. find a wsoft dirt road or run on the infield of a track. you need to have some "give" in the surface you run on. no more basketball outside, play only on wood or tartan floors.

it really sucks, but growing old is a matter of damage control

[yellowdogintexas]

8. swimming would be a safer exercise at this time, I would think

less stress on the joint.

Be very careful. It is way too easy to hurt the knee when everything is perfect.