Torn meniscus

[Toxz Qwaste]

I hurt my left knee about two weeks ago while completing my move. An MRI revealed that I have a torn meniscus. Meds allowed me to get done with the move but I probably did more dammage. I can get around okay but it isn't comfy. I'll be going to a specialist to find out more. I'm a little disappointed because I haven't ridden much this year and now that the move is over I was looking forward to it. I can get the bike off the sidestand and could probably ride without much problems but I wouldn't be able to catch the bike if it leans too much to the left. Maybe i could find a left-side only set of tip-over bars
Any input on this type of injury would be appreciated.

[MrPepsi]

That sucks man, heal up and don't risk further injury.

[Outback_Jon]

My wife had surgery for a torn meniscus.  Same day, in and out in a couple of hours.  She walked out of the hospital.  It is quite amazing what they can do with just a couple of small incisions.  Not much post-surgery pain to deal with, either.

[Toxz Qwaste]

Thanks. That's good to know Outback. If that's the case, then I kinda hope surgery is the solution. I've been thru physical therapy before for another issue and results were not overnite. My daily commuter-cage is stick and it hasn't been fun getting back and forth to work. I REALLY WANT TO RIDE. I think I understand some Can-Am riders a little better now.

[tonedeaf]

If it is really a torn meniscus, there are there are sort of three possiblities:
1. The tear is not bad enough for surgery. I did this years ago and sometimes it aches, but not bad enough to go under the knife. If it gets too achy injections might help (but not heal) the problem.

2. The tear is sufficiently large that the loose ends get crunched during knee movement and the pain is pretty sharp. This is fixed with simple surgery that just cuts off the loose parts (probably what Outback_Jon's wife had). I had this surgery a little over a year ago and everything went well (in fact they wouldn't even let me leave the hospital unless I could walk out). I was back at my job as a preschool teacher in a week. This sounds like what you've got.

3. The tear is deep or goes all the way through. This is a much bigger deal in terms of the complexity of the surgery and length of recovery.

Finally, there are a bunch of parts/pieces/connections in a knee and the problem could be something entirely different -- and this is why you want to see a surgeon ASAP.