A related but different situation involving my wife. Not just a meniscus problem.

She used to play a team sport in a woman's league, one that involved running. She had an off-balance impact with an opponent and wound up rupturing the ACL in her knee. It was diagnosed by an orthopedist in the office before any imaging, done by moving the leg bones around. (I mentioned this because I was there and it impressd me how well he knew knees) An MRI confirmed the diagnosis. Arthroscopic surgery was done and the doc found there had been some meniscus tearing - he said he was able to "clean it up". Her discomfort pre-surgery and pre-doctors visit (after which she got a brace) was because the bones in the knee were moving around in ways they weren't supposed to - the ligaments are like guide wires holding the bones in proper alignment. That could have been what tore the meniscus.

Jasdip, if you first had an ultrasound and x-rays in July, was the fact that you just had an MRI done now because you had to wait months for an appointment?

Good luck, I hope it feels better soon.

Elmer, yes I had to wait for the MRI. It took 6 weeks to get in for the ultrasound and x-ray as well.

Nicole, the exercise classes that I go to every day, incorporate hand weights, balance, strength, cardio. We do "sit and stands" 25 of them. Having a strong core is essential.

I hold weights when I do them, prior to injuring my knee.

" yes I had to wait for the MRI. It took 6 weeks to get in for the ultrasound and x-ray as well. "

That's terribly long, I'm sorry. I suspected there may be something like that involved. Orthopedists down here almost always have imaging (not MRI) equipment in their offices and usually having them done is the first step with a same day/same time office visit. The digital images pop up instantly on screens to be seen by the doc.

I know you have no choice, but yeowww.

(No thanks, I wouldn't favor our having the Canadian systems of medical care down here. Money is saved by delaying and withholding services)

I had a partially torn meniscus a couple of years ago. I was offered a cortisone shot which I refused because in the 6 weeks I had to wait for the appointment, it got better, but not completely. The way the doctor explained it to me, a surgical repair is much more successful for an injury as opposed to wear and tear which is what mine was. He also told me the inside part of the knee is prone to a little better healing due to a better blood supply.

I tore my meniscus about 20 years ago. I heard it when it "popped" and felt immediate pain. The surgery I had for it was easy peasy. It was done arthroscopically so just a couple of tiny incisions. I had a few PT sessions after that. It's never bothered me since then.

As was explained to me then, meniscus does not have It's own blood supply so cannot heal on its own. I guess today there are treatments involving stem cells. Honestly though, the surgery was less than 30 minutes, the recovery was minimal, and just a few PT sessions. I'd recommend getting it repaired so as to not cause unnecessary future pain.

I have meniscus tears in both knees as well as arthritis; when I spoke to an orthopedic surgeon, he said if I can manage the pain without drugs, he wouldn't recommend surgery because of the risks. I talked with my Pilates instructor about it, spoke with a physiotherapist, and tried acupuncture. I also talked with a lot of people who had knee replacements - some had relatively pain-free and quick recoveries, others had slow and painful recoveries. That was over 15 years ago, and I've been doing OK with regular Pilates and other non-weight bearing exercises - strengthening leg and hip muscles are key to helping your joints. My period of grace may be coming to an end, though, as I'm having more and more problems on stairs, so I may need a knee replacement after all.

I've had both of my knees replaced. Left in 2012 and the right in 2021. The right was the same that I tore my meniscus 20 yrs ago. My knee replacements were relatively uneventful. I did what I was supposed to during the recovery process, did my PT, and today don't even think about them. I would do them again in a heartbeat compared to how much pain I had and how limiting my life had become.

My best friend had bilateral knee replacements - both done at the same time, when she was 69. She had them done in April a few years ago, and 6 months later, in September, we walked all around London and Norway for 3 weeks. She was a bit sore in the evening and would ice them, and next morning she'd be ready to go again.

Neither of us were overweight when we had them done. That makes all the difference and made the recovery much easter.

No advice, but Owww!! So sorry you're going through this and hope you get a good solution soon!

I deleted my post...yeah...build your core. ?

I’ve had a bit of experience with a torn meniscus. Several years ago I was having sudden issues with my left knee swelling. That knee had given memproblems in the past from an old high school sports injury (or likely multiple injuries (basketball, volleyball, track, fell off a horse). Anyway, that knee would ’lock’ causing extreme pain for a minute or so and then relax. The swelling sent me to an orthopedic doc who determined i had a torn meniscus with arthritis and pieces of the meniscus were ’floating’ in my knee. So he performed arthroscopic surgery, i did some rehab for a few weeks and in 3 months all was nearly back to 100% normal and I resumed most exercise. A few more months and it was totally fine and I continued running.

If you can undergo an arthroscopic surgery, I would recommend exploring that path more.

I had a torn meniscus repaired 30+ years ago and my experience was similar to sephia_wa 1st post. I don’t remember any problems with the recovery.

I recently tore a calf muscle and the limping with the poor gait led to a mild meniscus tear. I am into my 6th week of physical therapy with a sports injury specialist and I am almost back to normal and even stronger in some ways. My PT actually told me it was OK take some time off. LOL I was able to talk to my primary the morning after I lost the ability to walk at all. His phone diagnosis was spot on. Confirmed by the sports medicine specialist I saw the following week. I researched online and picked who I wanted to see. He gave me a referral for Physical Therapy and once again I was able to chose a PT who specializes in sports recovery. I can't imagine not being able to timely medical care. When DH retired I stressed we had to keep our good medical insurance. No referrals needed, low out of network costs and I can get the best care available when I need it. One of my wisest decisions. I can't imagine waiting months to get basic testing done. I've had CT scans the same or the following day. MRI may be a week out. Lab work same day unless fasting is needed. My friends on Advantage plans have to wait weeks or months for some services. Same with local Kaiser patients. People who want socialized medicine are very misguided in my opinion.

I don't know if Jasdip has physical therapy available to her but I would advise it over the gym. It's night and day. The gym can actually do more harm than good . A good PT will work you harder, but more safely.

" My friends on Advantage plans have to wait weeks or months for some services. "

This has not been my experience. It depends entirely on the specific policy.

The world of Advantage plans contains a wide spectrum of individual ones that are diverse and quite different from one to another. They vary by sponsor, by type of plan, by tailored inclusions and exclusions, by cost, by insurance company, and by region. Among other things.

The one I have doesn't work as you describe, and ones that several friends have seem not to be like that either.

Jasdip, oh gosh, I know how you feel. Five years ago, i was having pain in my left knee. It kept getting worse, but my doctor (head of internal medicine at the university hospital and my PCP for decades) would not order an MRI. Medstar had recently taken over the excellent university hospital and it seems their determining factor is always cost. When I was finally able to get an MRI, because I insisted, he called and said, "Well, I guess you are in pain." Aaaarrrrggghhh. I had two minicus tears. He sent me to an orthopedic surgeon who used to work at the university, but now had his own private practice. Long story short, after one shot I told him I just wanted it fixed. "We can do that." I had the knee replaced in a week. Easy recovery, too. Knee is great. Fast forward to this year. Same thing, but no delay in MRI. Had the right knee done on September 4th. Recovery has been a bit slower, but not bad. No idea how I tore those either time. Figured total replacement was the way to go for me.

Sometimes a tear will heal on its own, and we tried that, but it didn't (maybe being older affects that). I hope yours does heal. I swear by PT for post-operative recovery and it might help you, too.

About 15 years ago I tore my meniscus. I was hesitant to do surgery at the time because I was driving kids back and forth to 2 different schools. I thought I’d just wait to the end of the school year in 6 weeks. The orthopedist advised against that saying in the meantime you will compensate with your other leg and cause problems there. I can do the surgery on a Friday and you will be driving them on Monday. Thats exactly what happened! I went back the following Friday for a recheck and didnt even need PT. Around here there are quite a few walk in orthopedic clinics

Just an FYI. I had my left knee replacement 2 years ago. A week before the surgery my sister reminded me that I am allergic to nickel. Called the Dr. office and they had to order a different knee for me!

Well, I may join the meniscus tear group. I had physical therapy today. My original injury seems have resolved but the secondary inner knee pain is still there. After a bit of poking and prodding he's going to see about getting me an MRI or see the doctor. Whatever it takes to continue my therapy since next week will be my last visit without further authorization. I'm doing so well I don't want to have to pause it for any reason. He changed up my program a bit to focus on strengthening that area. I no longer limp much at all except at the end of the day sometimes.

nicole I didn't see your other post but If the last was a question, a strong core is the best thing for us to have as we age. The core muscles in our upper bodies stabilize our spine and pelvic bones. A strong core promotes balance and and overall support for your skeletal system. I built mine with all the saddle time I do but I work on core strength out of saddle also. There are a plenty of skinny fit looking people with a weak core and the flip side is a an overweight, but not obese, man or woman can have a very strong core. Core strength can prevent falls and keeps everything aligned as well. Simply keeping good posture benefits core strength. But exercise incorporating those inner muscle is even better. You don't gain a strong core by dieting or walking. You get it though weight training and resistance along with exercises like bridging and crunches (half sit-ups).

I mentioned to my class instructors of my knee. Some of them are retired nurses and a kinesiologist. They all said I can do the 'sit and stands' that we do for core strength, and if it hurts, do a mini-squat, or sit down and raise my legs. I also don't work so hard doing the 10 second fast feet. I don't want to put more pressure on my knee or tear it more obviously.

I did hear from the orthopedic clinic that they got my referral and I should expect to hear from them regarding an appointment is 3-4 months. I'm hoping to avoid surgery, and I feel that my exercise classes are a form of physical therapy.