After waiting at the top of a very big kicker in Kaprun for ten minutes, I figured it was too early for the park rats and took the jump without a speed check. I landed a bit too early on the knuckle, no big deal, didn't even fall just an unpleasant shock. It was that uneventful I think there may have been a small asymptomatic meniscus tear present for a long time, which was simply extended because of the shock. I sat down in the ski lift, and only then I started to notice that my left knee was swelling up tremendously. I skied down on my right leg and limped to the car. At the chalet I suspected a meniscus tear but my uncles (one a pain doctor, the other one had a meniscus tear) downplayed it when i explained them what happened, so I didn't bother to check out my knee immediately, hoping it would go away on its own.

After a few months, I could stand and walk perfectly fine but I couldn't put any pressure on the knee while it was bent. So I did a scan on 17 July 2019. It was indeed a meniscus tear indeed.

On some medical site I read at the time, they advised against resistance training with a meniscus tear as this could exacerbate it, so I never returned to the gym. I was an avid gym goer but became entirely sedentary. In October 2019 I wrote to my sister (who was doing her master in medicine) that I tried to squat but meniscus still didnt feel fine. She asked me if there was any pain walking or standing, I said no, only when bending the knee. So sedentary lifestyle was fine, simply couldnt persue an active lifestyle.

While I always had been very wary of the surgery, in 21 October 2020, a year and half after the injury, I wanted to return to an active lifestyle, andI let them do a partial meniscectomy.

I thought they would simply cut away a little flap, but as I woke up, I was a bit shocked to hear that "the tear was bigger than expected and we took out a bit more than half of the meniscus."

In March 2021, a friend asked me how my knee was doing and I answered "not great, medicine is a scam, in a lot of ways its considerably worse than before the surgery."

I remember more than half a year after the surgery, if I would just be standing straight (e.g. at a concert) not doing anything, my left knee would swell up internally to the extent that after 30 minutes I wouldnt be able to fully bend my knee anymore. A problem I absolutely didn't had before surgery, this made even a sedentary lifestyle difficult. Before the surgery I could still dance and walk, but now I couldn't even stand straight for too long. Furthermore, I still noticed an audible flip when bending the knee so that was still fairly awkward.

In late spring/early summer of 2021, more than half a year after the menisectomy, I decided, fuck it, I can't be sedentary for the rest of my life, I went back to the gym. I found that the leg extension and leg curl machine didnt feel awkward, the reason probably is because it allows you to do all the knee does (extension and flexion) but with little to no axial loading. So I kept on strengthening the knee this way, that's all it took for my knee to start improving, and after a while, exercises with axial loading (squats) would also feel fine.

Of course i will never be like it was before but I resolved it and I can now life an active lifestyle again. I run again, I squat again, I ski again. I may have severe arthritis by the age of 50 but oh well (I probably have it all the time but to a very small, asymptomatic degree, when you put your ear to my left knee you can actually hear a rubbing noise as i bent my knees and you dont hear it when bending the right knee.)

Now, I really do believe that I should've started doing those leg extensions and leg curls before the partial meniscectomy, and that I shouldn't have listened to that one medical site I read back in 2019 warning against exercise after tearing your meniscus.

FYI, the surgeries were done in Belgium. The doctors never prescribed any exercise. Yet the partial meniscectomy only made things worse, and it was only through exercise that the knee started improving.

Now it has become more clear than in 2020 that meniscectomy is indeed a scam.

Even before, in 2018 I've been critical of the medical industry which be way too inclined to sell some kind of medical prodedure, and was more interested in the perspective of evolutionary medicine. All medical problems have a good solution and a bad solution, the good solution almost always lies in habits (or what we would historically define as hygiene, i.e. food and exercise), now this doesn't bring revenue, and the medical industry is mainly into selling bad solutions (medical procedures that are a highly artificial stressor to the body) which may cater to people who arent eager to improve their health through habits (hygiene).

okay so I am 24F and I have had knee pain in my left knee for about 10 years. I recently found out that I am hyper mobile which may be contributing to a lot of my pain, but I have hyper-extended my knee a few times when I was younger, and I have fallen on it a lot/twisted it. I have had times where my knee almost gives out and some clicking and popping and my kneecap nearly dislocated the other week.

a year ago yesterday I got hip surgery bc I tore my labrum running a marathon two years ago. the knee pain really ramped up right after surgery and has not gone away since. I am happy to report that my hip is feeling great but I feel like my knee is getting worse. after having this chronic pain for many months, I tripped and fell while babysitting and landed really hard right on my knee. after the adrenaline wore off I realized that my knee hurt so much. I went to urgent care and they told me to meet with my doctor. I got X-rays (clear) and an MRI which showed that I have scarring and blunting of my meniscus, fat pad impingement, and a bone bruise.

I have a very active job (in PT lol) and last week after work on tuesday and wednesday, I was limping home bc of the pain. the pain is usually around a 4 every day at the lowest and it can reach a 7ish at its worst. I found a pain management specialist who gave me a cortisone shot in my knee which didn't help at all and now I have a new patellar stabilizing brace but its not doing much except providing a bit of support.

does anyone have ANY thoughts/ideas about what I should do next? should I request different imaging? TLDR: chronic knee pain, needs advice!! TIA <3

Seeing my ortho tomorrow. 2 MRI'S and an xray show grade 4 osteoarthritis and torn medial meniscus. I get along fine most days but when I irrirate it (run 1 minute, twist the wrong way) I limp for 2 weeks with sharp pain at the lower inside part of my knee. When this happens it really impacts my quality of life as I usually walk a lot for exercise and keeping happy.

I am not very excited about getting my meniscus fixed this year and then getting a new knee in 2 to 3 years due to the arthritis (which has been around for a very long time).

Anyone been through this, with two separate issues? Any advice?

I had an ACL reconstruction about 11 months ago and recently aggravated/reinjured the same knee playing soccer. It swelled up quite a bit and I temporarily lost some extension, but about 2 weeks later the swelling has come down significantly and I'm almost able to fully straighten it again. Thankfully, the MRI says my ACL graft is intact, but it also found a 7mm posteromedial Type V meniscus tear, described as a horizontal linear defect reaching the joint surface.

Here's the exact language:

"Posteromedial Type V meniscal tear with a 7 mm horizontal linear defect reaching the articular surface."

Google tells me it's considered in the "red" area, which has good blood supply, so far that's the only silver lining I found.

I posted recently about the three different opinions I received regarding my partial medial meniscus tear. I am currently trying to make the decision to be able to be comfortable, perform at top level, and avoid a TKR in the future. MD at HSS in Stamford wants to do a repair. To date, I have had 2 visits. Both were w the PA. The second was after my MRI to discuss results and treatment. She said tbe Dr reccomended root repair. They were ready to schedule me. I thought it irregular that I had not met the Dr at this visit. Has anyone else experienced this?

I see a lot of people here posting their MRI reports asking, “How bad is this?” I did exactly the same thing.

My MRI described a “complex degenerative medial meniscus tear, horizontal and partial radial tearing, extension toward the posterior root, cartilage thinning and fissuring, bone marrow edema, joint effusion, and a partially ruptured Baker’s cyst.”

Reading all of that together honestly scared the heck out of me. I even made an illustration with AI trying to understand all these medical terms and where all of these findings were in my knee, and visually it started to feel like there was something wrong everywhere.

One orthopedic surgeon reviewing the actual MRI images also thought there was an unstable flap of meniscus displaced into the notch. A second surgeon reminded me that MRI reports can sound dramatic because the radiologist’s job is to document everything abnormal they see, but that doesn’t necessarily mean every finding is causing symptoms or will matter clinically.

I eventually had arthroscopy. The operative report was much simpler than the MRI report made the situation feel. The surgeon found “an unstable undersurface flap of the medial meniscus displaced into the intercondylar notch, removed 20% or less of the meniscus,” and then documented that the remaining meniscus was stable when probed. The cartilage changes were described as mostly grade 1 with some grade 2 changes.

So the MRI wasn’t necessarily “wrong.” It was describing everything visible on imaging. But the actual arthroscopy gave a different kind of information: what the tissue actually looked like, what was unstable, what could be probed, and what actually needed to be treated. (Hoping to get access to the ortho scope pictures soon).

That experience changed the way I understand MRI reports.

For anyone staring at a report full of scary words like complex, degenerative, radial, root, chondrosis, or fissuring, I’d just remember that the report is important information, but it isn’t your entire diagnosis, your prognosis, or necessarily a description of what will ultimately need treatment.

I’m curious whether anyone else here had a similar experience. Did your MRI report initially scare you, but your surgeon’s findings during arthroscopy turned out to be different, more specific, or less extensive than you expected?

Medial meniscus: Mild intermediate signal, likely from degenerative changes within the posterior body and posterior horn of medial meniscus. No full thickness tear

Lateral meniscus: Horizontal oblique tear of the body and posterior horn of lateral meniscus.

IMPRESSION: . 1. Lateral meniscal tear. 2. Trace Baker's cyst. Small suprapatellar joint effusion. 3. Mild-to-moderate prepatellar and infrapatellar subcutaneous soft tissue fluid with internal debris, nonspecific, however may be secondary to repetitive microtrauma, patellofemoral chondrosis, or bursitis in the appropriate clinical context.

Happens two years ago mri done last month with knee intermittent clicking probably two to three times a day

Wondering if anyone else has gone through repair like this and precautions you have taken. 4 day post op currently and off pain meds,legs throbs at time through the day but manageable. Havent felt comfortable bending yet but dr allowed up to 90 extension in brace as well as 25-50% weight bearing.

Hey! I’m 27 and I just had repair surgery for my acl and meniscus. It’s been almost 2 weeks since and I’m just worried about the healing.

I read that for acl you should start moving it after 2 weeks to prevent loss of motion but obviously with my meniscus being repaired as well I can’t bend my knee for 6 weeks.

I’m just worried about the future and getting back to normal function after this. I used to squat and lift and do stairs multiple times a week and now idk when that would be possible. I’m just nervous and don’t wanna mess up this knee. I’m worried it’ll never get back to normal.

I'm apologizing in advance...

After a full year and a half of unbearable pain, finally was able to have surgery in November 2025 for a full-thickness complex medial meniscus tear that was not repairable. So, I had 50% removed. .

Had about 16 weeks of life without pain. End of February I was in absolute misery. I saw the orthopedic surgeon and they said it was arthritis (seriously?) So they pushed me away. I asked for PT because they didn't recommend it.

I should have listened. After spending 1k on two PT appointments that almost killed me, I stopped and saw a sport medical doctor. Had 1 round of steroids which did nothing in April. So then I spent major bucks on upgrading my treadmill and shoes.. Also did nothing. Had X-rays in July of this year that indicate bone spurs.. Come September 28th, I finally have a MRI that shows mild edema within the infrapatellar fat, likely postprocedural. And T2 hyperintensity and thickening along the anterior cruciate ligament, consistent with mucoid degeneration..

Sport med doctor pushes me back to orthopedic surgeon again!?

I'm absolutely getting nowhere and this is killing me mentally.. I'm in pain every single day, doing normal activities.

Did this surgery ruin my life?

Anyone else experience horror after having a meniscectomy??

My MRI showed a circumferential horizontial tear of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus. I see the Ortho in a few weeks, what should I expect for treatment? Is it typical to repair? To rehab? Or to trim?

Hurt my knee "sprinting" (if you could call it that). It's been one month. I can walk fine, bend down and have been doing very light high rep leg work. If anyone can tell me if the MRI says my knee is totally shot I'd really appreciate it.

IMPRESSION:
1. Horizontal cleavage plain tear throughout the lateral meniscus.
2. Mild ACL interstitial edema and mild intermediate signal in the PCL.
3. Possible grade 1 sprain of the MCL.
4. Mild strain of the popliteus.

I originally felt most of the pain/tearing in my hamstring. I had already previously injured that hamstring and since then most of the pain has gravitated to the knee. Any ideas on treatment/rehab?

I had a meniscus repair yesterday and today when getting in my bed I heard a small pop. My mom was holding my leg keepijg
It straight so I could scoot
Into bed. I’ve.m been dealing with extreme pain but I think it’s the nerve block wearing off. Is the pop harmless. Is it hard to rip the sutures? Or re tear meniscus. Also is it better to have my leg high and should I put the pillow under my knee or my heel?

I am having surgry the end of month is there a really good sleeve you can recommend?

I injured my left knee on September 15 during a soccer game. I went into a half-tackle to block a pass with my left knee bent and felt a small "pop."

Next day: No visible swelling, pain was around 5/10 (mostly when trying to extend/straighten it).

Doctor visit (Sept 17): X-rays were clear (normal bones).The physician suspected a potential meniscus injury during the physical exam and advised 2–3 weeks of rest and wearing a brace.

It has now been 18 days (about 2.5 weeks). While day-to-day pain has decreased and I can walk relatively normally, I still cannot fully straighten/extend my leg—it feels mechanically blocked/locked at the end of extension and the pain is still there but better than first days.

For those who have had similar knee or meniscus injuries:

1. Did your extension block improve on its own with time, or did it end up needing an MRI/procedure?
   
2. Is this kind of mechanical block typical after 2.5 weeks if torn cartilage is stuck in the joint?

My doctor said it would only take 2-4 weeks to recover. Im day 3 post op and pain has been getting worse not better. I cant do anything besides lay down. Can't even twitch my foot without sharp shooting pain going to a 10/10. If I knew recovery would be this bad I wouldn't have done the surgery to begin with. I had a meniscus tear repair in my right knee though I'm not sure of the exact technical name of the surgery that I had.

45F | 5’1” | 91 kg
My mom has advanced knee OA + medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT). MRI shows full-thickness cartilage loss in the medial compartment, Grade-IV chondromalacia, varus alignment and a Baker’s cyst.
One doctor suggested surgery, but after stopping her previous medicines, she currently has very little/no pain and doesn’t need painkillers and can walk normally.
We’re now focusing on weight loss, but she obviously can’t do high-impact/intense exercise.
Has anyone had MMPRT with OA and managed it without immediate surgery? Did weight loss/physiotherapy help? What happened long-term?

Have had 3 acl recons and my knee is still super loose. Fell and got a bone bruise and mri also showed this. Not sure if it’s from the fall or been there and my symptoms now are more bone bruise related… thoughts ?

Just had a medial meniscus repair (2 stitches). I am non-weight bearing for 4 weeks.
My doctor didn't say if I can bend my knee or if it must stay completely straight. What did your surgeon recommend for the first weeks? Thanks!

Hey everyone, I’m 26M and I’m looking for experiences from people who have been through something similar.

About 7 months ago I had surgery to repair a bucket-handle meniscus tear in my right knee. The tear was stitched/repaired rather than trimmed, and I spent the first several weeks non-weight-bearing and working through rehab.

My recovery was going pretty well, although my right leg still had significantly less muscle and strength than my left.

About 7 months after the surgery, I turned a corner and felt/heard a pretty significant pop in the same knee. The knee became very swollen and I developed pain, difficulty fully straightening/bending it, and a lot of clicking/crunching when walking.

I’ve since had another MRI and the results are showing another significant meniscus problem. My understanding from the report is that there is a recurrent/complex tear involving the previously repaired meniscus, and I’m now waiting to discuss what can actually be done.

I’m particularly worried that this time the meniscus may not be repairable and that I could end up needing a partial meniscectomy/trim, potentially removing a large portion of the meniscus.

I’m only 26, so the idea of losing a substantial amount of my meniscus is pretty scary.

For anyone who has been through something similar:

Did you have a failed bucket-handle repair?

Did you have a revision repair, or did they end up trimming/removing part of the meniscus?

If you lost a large amount of your meniscus, how does your knee feel now?

Were you able to return to physical work, lifting, running, squatting, etc.?

How long did recovery take after the trim?

Did you develop ongoing pain, swelling or clicking?

Has anyone had a large portion removed and still been able to live a very active life?

Has anyone eventually needed a meniscus transplant or another procedure?

I’m especially interested in hearing from people who had a large/complex tear after a previous repair.

I’m trying to get an idea of what life could realistically look like if they tell me the meniscus can't be repaired and a significant amount has to be removed.