A meniscus tear can get better on its own without treatment, but it can take a while to heal. Your doctor put a lighted tubecalled an arthroscope or scopeand other surgical tools through small cuts (incisions) in your knee. Started ok summer of 2009, but felt some instability on a hilly course and finished round and much of that summer on the other side of ball as it felt ok as the trail leg. Put a pillow under your foot. GolfWRX_Official So far no arthritis but i am told by others it will happen. Thankfully, the surgery required to fix torn knee cartilage (also known as meniscus) can be done through a very small incision that leaves minimal scarring that will fade over time. 1. Generally I recommend patients wait 4 to 6 weeks after partial meniscectomy before they try to jog or play a sport that involves repetitive impact on the knee. How low are you going to go? To correct my typo, my main issue has been buckling of my lead knee. Weight transfer is great, pain is non existent although I occasionally get some swelling. Conclusion After the surgery, one needs to be in touch with the doctor and the physiotherapist for proper and safe recovery. I saw my surgeon today for my pre-op appointment (Surgery is Tuesday). Contact Dr. Nwachukwu's team today! 5. A surgical procedure that involves looking inside the joint to diagnose and treat problems. If the tear is severe, it may require surgery to repair. This timeline can vary depending on the patients age, fitness level, and commitment to appropriate physiotherapy following the procedure. He just gets swelling every now and then. If left untreated, this damage could cause long-term problems such as arthritis. Odessey White Hot #5, i have had each knee repaired from over tennis..5 and 3 years ago. Generally, for about four weeks (or less, or more) after surgery patients will use crutches to keep weight off of the affected side. Even though it cannot be done completely, taking precautions is the best way to avoid a meniscal tear. 7. I have lost a little yardage off of my woods and irons but nothing that isn't manageable. In the long run, knee replacement surgery can help to alleviate pain and restore function to severely damaged joints. However, athletic activities may reproduce pain and swelling. Disclaimer: Some recommended products may use affiliate links. Some of the pain was similar to that of when I had the original tear. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc or its affiliates. Sometimes, physiotherapy may be recommended to help reduce pain and improve movement and strength in the knee. Knee Force does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Again, this post and answer do not provide specific medical advice. The benefits of having a meniscus repair performed by a reputable orthopedic surgeon are numerous. If you want to prevent or correct physical problems, physical therapy is an excellent way to go about it. Both. This will allow for graft integrity and proper stability of the knee during the golf swing. A study found that after anterior knee repair, failure rates are between 5 and 10 times higher than after anterior knee reconstruction. My answer to this question largely reflects my personal experience doing hundreds of these operations each year. Treatments for a meniscus tear. I also think it is a common concern for many active patients who undergo partial meniscectomy trimming out a meniscus tear surgery. In such cases, minimally invasive meniscus repair surgery is often the next step. The RICE methodhelps manage your pain and inflammation without the need for medication. A knee arthroscopy usually takes longer to recover than a wrist arthroscopy due to different joint issues for example, a knee arthroscopy takes longer to recover than a wrist arthroscopy. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. Take steps to recover from knee surgery quickly and safely! Mitch is a physical therapist, personal trainer, and nutrition coach. GolfWRX_Spotted posted a topic in Tour and Pre-Release Equipment, Tuesday at 04:47 PM, GolfWRX_Spotted posted a topic in Tour and Pre-Release Equipment, February 20, GolfWRX_Spotted posted a topic in Tour and Pre-Release Equipment, February 13, GolfWRX_Spotted posted a topic in Tour and Pre-Release Equipment, February 6, GolfWRX_Spotted posted a topic in Tour and Pre-Release Equipment, January 31, By But, I take leg strength very serious in my fitness habits. In the first couple weeks many are essentially high all day from taking opiates. Depends: Follow your surgeon's instructions. The recovery time for meniscus surgery depends on the type of surgery you had. He said that accepted practice now is to take out the least amount possible to get the job done. Surgery may frequently be necessary if the tear is significant enough, and the recovery time is between 4 and 6 weeks. Find an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in your injury, who explains the injury in ways you can understand and more. However, it is important to note that a complete return of knee strength and full-range mobility may take several months. I have done these partial meniscectomy surgeries on professional athletes, many of whom returned to sports within 3 to 4 weeks. Heavy work and sports may need to be restricted for the first 4-6 weeks. scar tissue is removed from the knee joint, resulting in a joint that is smooth and stable. Giving your body time to rest in between bouts of intense exercise and not abruptly ramping up your workout routine is advisable. But you may need to take a break from some sports and activities for up to a year to give your knee time to heal completely. It usually takes about 4 to 8 weeks for patients to increase weight bearing and range of motion. Can I use a walker instead of crutches after meniscus surgery? However, injuries to the lower extremities (hands, elbows, shoulders) and lower extremities are also common. So, with an already compromised meniscus, your knees wont be able to absorb and disperse those massive forces from your golf swing. So now his plan is put up with the pain till you cant take it anymore and eventually have knee replacement. Doing so will help prevent making things worse as well as minimize your risk for osteoarthritis in the future. The recovery time after a damaged tissue repair will be longer. Proper self-care is essential to shortening the recovery process and avoiding a recurrence of the injury. There is really no pain associated with the swing at all. Did you have tears on both sides of the knee or just one side? Orthopaedic Surgery, Sports Medicine, Digital Radiography: Phoenix, AZ. Meniscus tears are common injuries that often occur from sports injuries or aging. 1. Miura CB 801 5-PW, Recoil Proto 125 F4, Miura 52.06,56.10, 60.09, Recoil Proto 125 F4 Despite this, patients must pay a fair amount for ACL reconstruction, which can be quite expensive. That's great news! Your doctor will give you very specific instructions for what medication you can and cannot take during the meniscus repair recovery process. You cannot paste images directly. Some people have a minor tear that can heal without surgery. Don't worry u will be fine just do what Dr says to do. One can resume . What Causes Meniscus Tears? One such restriction is, all these exercises should be at a 15-degree angle. During the procedure, scar tissue is removed in order for the knee to return to its original state. As soon as your initial recovery period is over, you will need to start a therapy program that will allow for a steady, gradual return to the activities you enjoyed prior to your meniscus injury. Repair of my ACL at 38 and a total knee replacement last September. Other people find that the torn meniscus prevents them from participating comfortably in their usual daily activities. One hundred fifty five of these patients have pain relief from the surgery, and 85 can wear their knee without limitations. The next day at work I sat down, and couldn't get up and straighten my leg, had to shake it, it would pop, a bit of pain, then it seemed normal until I sat down again. If he does well, then he can advance slowly as his knee improves. Paste as plain text instead, Damaged meniscus (cartilage) repair patients are unable to perform any twisting, pivoting, squatting, deep knee bends, or impact activities for four months. An ACL tear can be extremely painful and leave you unable to play golf for an extended period of time. However, every patient is different and some may be able to return to golfing sooner than others. The key for me was to really work at physical therapy. I don't know what a "bucking problem" is. Mich Torres (PT) Brandon Callahan, MD is a board-certified orthopedic physician with a decade of experience in providing comprehensive orthopedic care to patients with musculoskeletal injuries and disorders. As for golf,I was playing in about 6 weeks. Also read: This is typically performed on the knee, shoulder, elbow, ankle, hip, or wrist. Any deeper and you might have to consider surgery. Was only the damaged portion removed or the entire meniscus? Driver: 10.5 Epic Speed Graphite Design AD-ITZ 60, Fairway Wood: 15 Epic Speed Graphite Design AD-ITZ 70, Fairway Wood: 19 Epic Flash Tensei Blue 75, Irons: Apex Pro '19 4-AW, Aerotech Steelfiber 95. This leaves you with a smaller scar as well as a faster recovery time. Good luck with the surgery. Had acl surgery twice on lead leg. I had 2 bone spurs that were really bad. When was the surgery? I hope it works out well for you. Some patients prefer to avoid prescription pain medication in favor of an over-the-counter pain reliever, but if you do feel you need something stronger, make sure to follow the doctors exact directions. KneeForce.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Titleist TS2 25*, GD Tour AD HY 95S If you have a knee surgery, do not squat for at least four months after the procedure. Recovery will take about 6 to 8 weeksif your meniscus tear is treated conservatively, without surgery. For right handers, this will be your left knee. If you have a bandage in place, keep it clean and dry until it is ready to come off. It takes longer for a meniscus repair to heal than a meniscectomy. Risk Factors for Knee Injury in Golf: A Systematic Review., McHardy, Andrew et al. Arthroscopic knee surgery is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure used to treat a variety of knee conditions. Can't remember specifically as to golf. Nike #3 Oven Proto. Recover From Knee Surgery Like a Champion! Instead, it may need to be trimmed down to keep it from tearing further, or removed completely and . on Medically Reviewed By: To avoid putting on too much weight, make sure to rest and avoid putting any weight on your knee for the first few days. Walking for extended periods of time without significant pain may be difficult, and a cane or walker may be required. There are certain restrictions that you have to follow. This might make all the difference in the degree of treatment and recovery time that will be required. Progression Over 4-6 weeks, the pain and swelling may decrease and activities of daily living may become tolerable. But it seemed to get better fast right after that, and then at regionals the next week, I was medallist and we got to the state meet for the first time in school history. Activity: You should use cane, crutches or a walker for the first 3 to 5 days following surgery. Display as a link instead, What was the surgery? Even after surgery, it is important to give the knee time to heal properly before returning to any high-impact activities. The meniscus can become damaged as a result of a sudden injury, such as a sports injury, or gradual wear and tear (osteoarthritis). Keep your leg raised as much as possible for the first few days. If you need more information about your particular injury and options to treat it and recover quickly and safely, talk to me one-on-one! My understanding is that the medial meniscus has poor blood supply and will not heal on its own. I have a torn lateral collateral in my trail leg, which could be a problem for most in the swing. I've had both knees done twice, once about 20 years ago and the once about 2 years ago. This, in turn, can lead to a deeper tear to your meniscus. Im home from the surgery and right now I feel fine. This lack of shock absorption and dispersion gets magnified over time, increasing your risk for osteoarthritis. This ensures you are not placing any weight on the knee that has undergone a meniscus repair. If you are concerned about knee pain and wish to have an assessment, contact us today at Mattalino Orthopaedic in Phoenix, AZ. Took me like 4-5 months to be back to normal. As the above comments say, i flare my left foot out a bit to counter rotating too much, and let my left foot lift up slightly on the backswing, both of these seem to reduce the stresses going into my left knee. How long does it take to recover from meniscus tear surgery? Within 4-6 weeks of knee replacement, most people are able to walk and use their legs normally again. Recovery After Meniscus Surgery. Best of luck! 4.Did the surgery fix a bucking problem (my issue). Many patients are able to return to limited or light duty work 1-2 weeks after surgery. 395. For those of you who have had knee meniscus surgery: 1. If the tear affects the inner two-thirds of your meniscus, an area of cartilage that lacks blood flow, it can't be surgically repaired. Use of a knee brace and crutches is advisable for at least two weeks to make sure that the knee is stabilized and there is no unnecessary pressure placed on the joint. After surgery, swelling, pain, and limited motion are usually gone within three to four months. I flared my left foot out slightly, think open stance to help alleviate pain and discomfort as much as possible. With a proper rehabilitation program, you can usually expect to resume sports within four to six weeks after the surgery. If you want to reduce torsion, stop wearing spikes, or only wear soft ones. Home Injuries Can You Play Golf With A Torn Meniscus? I mentioned to the doctor afterwards how it has affected my golf. Seems to be a very common surgery either way..as in whether the meniscus is removed or repaired but once done, almost as good as newjust keep doing the exercises and get general posture alignments resolved if an issue, Cobra LTDx LS Peacoat/Ozik F6M2/Ozik TP6HD/EVO III FUJI/Graffaloy BlueCobra Ltd3Kaili 80, Cobra Ltd 5Kaili 80 (sub :Cobra F6 Baffler 18.5 Kaili 80)Adams XTD TI 22HybridBridgestone J15 CB 4 -pw/DG XP S300/Original Nike Blades 3-PW s300Nike Vapor Pro combo AW 50*,Ping 3.0 EYE 54, 58, Nike B1-05 Origin (Rare)Slazenger 508/Kirk Currie KC02B, wow. I'll have to do it eventually but after this experience I really want to put it off as long as I possibly can. I also had a good deal of arthritis scraped away, but some still remains. Physical exertion will need to be avoided for two to three months, although your doctor or physiotherapist will recommend some appropriate activities that will gradually strengthen the knee and surrounding area. No problems playing golf. I suffer from arthritis in multiple places, including both knees. I'm really pissed at myself for jumping the gun and having the surgery. Specifically, wearing shoes with shorter and softer cleats makes it easier for you to pivot with your feet rather than putting all that torque on your knee, hence reducing your risk for knee injury. Partial meniscectomy: Frequently asked questions You can post now and register later. Timeline for Meniscus Repair Recovery: It will take around 4-6 weeks before you can walk, drive, and otherwise move normally as you would prior to your injury. Herniated Disc: How Long Should You Wait To Play Golf Again? People who travel appear to have better health, 393. Second scope at 31, worse arthritis developed. Your link has been automatically embedded. The surgery will aim to preserve the meniscus by repairing the tear or removing the torn part of the meniscus. I was on crutched for about 2 days, then physical therpy for a couple of weeks. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. Hopefully you are back to playing again soon and pain free! Can you squat with proper form and control? How long recovery takes can depend on a variety of factors, which we will delve into below. Fortunately, there are a few adjustments you can make to lower your chances of another meniscus injury. The most direct answer, really, is that you shouldnt be playing golf while your meniscus is still torn. People who have had knee surgery can return to full activity with no restrictions in the next 4-6 weeks. After surgery, it usually takes four to six months for the patient to return to competition. Joint pain and stiffness are usually reduced with a arthrospine procedure over an open surgery procedure. I actually tore it during a golf swing. By the time I got in to see him, it was feeling better, he took some x-rays and couldn't see I had done any damage to that side of my knee. I asked what the difference was, and the doctor said that they've learned some stuff over the years. Many people can be discharged that same day, but how long you stay in the hospital is determined by your needs. Will Walking On A Torn Meniscus Make It Worse? I continue to exercise muscles in my legs generally but cut out tennis..completely. totally different experience for someone who had both knees done at different times. Was the surgery on your lead or trail leg.? It'll help increase your range of motion and help your knee get stronger. In most cases, meniscus repair will take longer to heal than a meniscectomy. Patients are usually out of the brace and walking without crutches around 2-3 months. Make an effort to maintain a moderate daily activity schedule, as recommended by your surgeon. I had it done, along with a bunch of other work, on my back (trail) knee. The next day, I started getting very sore on the medial side of the same knee, and if I put my weight on it just wrong, it was sort of painful. Now, imagine a car with a busted suspension. How you squat and how you respond matter! Hitting it even farther. Anytime surgery is performed whether via scope or they open you up I was told to expect arthritis to develop. rteach1, June 2, 2018 in Instruction & Academy. After this procedure, 81%-89% of athletes return to their sport. Your care after surgery may involve: Crutches to take stress off the knee as it heals. Answer (1 of 4): Depends on the timing and the surgeon. Explosive twisting while you swing your clubs results in massive rotational forces on your lead knee. These will include recommendations for warm ups, stretching, yoga, playing the short game and avoiding long drives as the force and twist required my tear the meniscus again or aggravate the condition. Usually they admitted that they continued to improve and feel stronger the further out they got from surgery.