exercise with a torn meniscus?
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Anonymous
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Yes, I know to rest my knee as much as possible. But exercise is important for my mental (and physical) health. Obviously I can do upper body exercise, and core.
Are there any other things you found doable as your torn meniscus healed? |
Anonymous
Nobody has torn their meniscus? 
Thankfully walking is fine, but I'd still love to hear other forms of exercise you found comfortable as things healed. And how long it was until you were able to run or do impact exercises (I did not tear it while running) |
Anonymous
| Nobody’s knee injury is the same. These are questions best posed to your care providers. |
Anonymous
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I have a torn medial and lateral meniscus in the same knee. Did it in early 2018. Went through PT and the doctor said that there was nothing left but surgery. I opted not to do surgery and am pretty much pain free.
I do everything except things that are high impact on my knee, which means nothing that is pounding, like running and no repetitive jumping or high impact jumps, like box jumping. I also don’t do things that require pivoting or anything that hurts. The key for me is keeping strong quads and always maintaining good form. There are things I have to modify in order to maintain my form, like I do burpees to a box and sometimes when I deadlift, I raise my bar off the floor - I’m really tall so I am still lifting the same distance as the average person. I also take safety precautions like having a box or some sort of stool behind me when I do squats, especially weighted ones, so that if my knee gives out, I won’t fall and hurt myself. This has been working for six years and counting. |
Anonymous
| My torn meniscus did not heal on its own so after 7 months, I had surgery to fix it. |
Anonymous
| Don’t do surgery boo |
Anonymous
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Just get the surgery. It will be stronger after. And no, except for walking, you really should not be doing anything. Unless you want to make it worse.
All those relying on your meniscus healing...enjoy your knee replacement surgery in a decade or so. |
Anonymous
Why not? I got a slight tear almost a year ago and it still bugs me for some movement … should I not get surgery) |
Anonymous
Every surgery comes with risks. Read the consent form from your doctor - it will list the known risks. Then decide for yourself whether the risks are worth it. I’m the PP who tore my medial and lateral in 2018. Sibling has a recent tear and has occasional pain. Sibling had surgery scheduled and then got the consent form. Ended up cancelling. I never got the surgery. No one can predict your risk tolerance except you. |
Anonymous
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OP here. Thanks for sharing the experience.
1 week out, I can walk easily. Going upstairs not a problem. Downstairs are ok, if cautious. Ortho said to keep active as long as it doesn't hurt. Elliptical/bike feel risky, but I did some slam balls and boxing bag for cardio and it's been fine (leg with the tear is my planted leg). After 3 weeks, he said to test the waters with some impact. Surgery should be a last level option, and wants to try other things first. Thankfully this seems to be a "minor" tear but I don't dare try to jump on it for a few weeks. I'm happy for the activity I can get. |
Anonymous
| Swimming? |