Dancing with a Torn Meniscus

[opendoor]

Hi , I have had torn meniscus particularly in the left knee... doctors recommended a lot of rest. Which I have done for the last 4 months..

The problem is that a torn meniscus often damages the cartilage of the articular surfaces. Then osteoarthritis is the result. Minisks have no blood supply, which means they heal very very slowly. A real tear cannot fuse; at most the knee can smooth out the corners and edges. This will need time. During this time the muscles reduce, which leads to other problems.

 

[Tracy]

I find it interesting that many have been told to just rest. I am thankful I originally went to a sports medicine orthopedic doctor and was told that it would hurt but not cause further damage if I kept dancing. So I did. I usually feel better if I keep moving. When it was fresh, I would need to walk for 15 min then do several physical therapy exercises then do my own warm up before lessons/dancing. I eventually could skip the walking and years later I am back to only my regular warmup. I go through phases of it bothering me (not really hurting but I feel it) and then it settles down again.

 

[Braders]

M

The problem is that a torn meniscus often damages the cartilage of the articular surfaces. Then osteoarthritis is the result. Minisks have no blood supply, which means they heal very very slowly. A real tear cannot fuse; at most the knee can smooth out the corners and edges. This will need time. During this time the muscles reduce, which leads to other problems.

Mons
Thanks for the info which is very helpful and helps everyone see we share common issues with this information injury
Best of luck with the ongoing recovery

 

[Braders]

I find it interesting that many have been told to just rest. I am thankful I originally went to a sports medicine orthopedic doctor and was told that it would hurt but not cause further damage if I kept dancing. So I did. I usually feel better if I keep moving. When it was fresh, I would need to walk for 15 min then do several physical therapy exercises then do my own warm up before lessons/dancing. I eventually could skip the walking and years later I am back to only my regular warmup. I go through phases of it bothering me (not really hurting but I feel it) and then it settles down again.

Tracy
Appreciate your story and really helpful to hear how you and others are coping with the injury.Seems time and good physio and of course confidence are the key
Hope recovery continues well ?

 

[ChaCha1]

Tracy
Appreciate your story and really helpful to hear how you and others are coping with the injury.Seems time and good physio and of course confidence are the key
Hope recovery continues well ?

I went to a sports medicine PT office and I got the same advice as Tracy. It always felt better after moving. Eventually I recovered, but did all the PT as designed.

I should add that it depends on the tear. Some tears don't resolve and some do. Best check with a sports medicine Dr.

 

[Braders]

I went to a sports medicine PT office and I got the same advice as Tracy. It always felt better after moving. Eventually I recovered, but did all the PT as designed.

I should add that it depends on the tear. Some tears don't resolve and some do. Best check with a sports medicine Dr.

Cha cha
Thanks and will follow the advice and tak comfort from all these recovery stories!!

 

[dncergrl2]

I have a lot of experience with knee problems: tore the ASL and tore and wore down the meniscus such that my new PT asked if I had had a meniscectomy in both knees. No. In sum, ice, rest and ibuprofen is needed in the acute phase of an injury, but as soon as is possible, exercise and keeping the knee strong is the key. PT: Bought a stationary bike and first exercise was cycling with no resistance: this helps to keep the joints and fluid in the knee moving. Then gradually add resistance. Also a program of knee strengthening, up to eccentric drops holding onto weights. I start each dance practice warming up my knees with parallel plies of varying depths and speeds. Make sure all this exercise is done with the knee over the toes; no twisting. This is my new life but the muscles around my knee are strong and allow me to dance with no meniscus in either knee. Took a couple of years, but my knees are pretty good and and I can walk down stairs now pain free although I can't jump from a great height. Dancing open latin, and jiving is no problem. If I skip my knee strengthening exercises, I feel twinges, which is the message to get back at it.

 

[Braders]

I have a lot of experience with knee problems: tore the ASL and tore and wore down the meniscus such that my new PT asked if I had had a meniscectomy in both knees. No. In sum, ice, rest and ibuprofen is needed in the acute phase of an injury, but as soon as is possible, exercise and keeping the knee strong is the key. PT: Bought a stationary bike and first exercise was cycling with no resistance: this helps to keep the joints and fluid in the knee moving. Then gradually add resistance. Also a program of knee strengthening, up to eccentric drops holding onto weights. I start each dance practice warming up my knees with parallel plies of varying depths and speeds. Make sure all this exercise is done with the knee over the toes; no twisting. This is my new life but the muscles around my knee are strong and allow me to dance with no meniscus in either knee. Took a couple of years, but my knees are pretty good and and I can walk down stairs now pain free although I can't jump from a great height. Dancing open latin, and jiving is no problem. If I skip my knee strengthening exercises, I feel twinges, which is the message to get back at it.

Great and thanks for your recovery plan and sounds like its working for you. I am already 13 months downline and have a physio /Gym plan which I am faithfully using and stretching every day and already on the bike but still have a level of discomfort. Met an orthopaedic knee surgeon this week while away abroad on business who had issues with both knees but recovered fully using Forms of Yoga to assist flexibility and also highly recommended a Supplement to be taken daily which will help. Fingers crossed from reading your story and the others this week that time and practice will relieve the remaining discomfort?