Recovery after minisectomy

[Lisa]

Hi

I've had 50% of my lateral miniscis removed in July (was a discoid miniscis and I tore it doing squats). Recovery has not been the suggested 2-3 wks I was first told by the physio!! Prior to this injury, I spent at least an hour in the gym each day - it was great for stress management and made me feel so good. Overdid the rehab after the minisectomy and ended up with inflammation of the bursa in my knee (just had a cortisone injection which has made it feel alot better, thankfully). Am now doing every second day bike-20 mins, leg extensions, hamstring curls, leg raises, step ups (but am unable to step up very high leading with my bad knee) and the other days just the bike for 20 mins. I'm extremely frustrated and disappointed that this is taking so long and was hoping someone could tell me if I keep plugging away it will eventually improve. Is it just a matter of time? The dr is pretty sure I haven't damaged the rest of the miniscis, just the inflammed bursa due to over exercising. I suppose if I didn't love exercise so much it wouldn't be a problem. I can do everyday things ok without pain (although I have to be careful not to jar the knee when I'm on uneven surfaces) but my quality of life has plummeted due to my limitations.
thanks
Lisa

[injuryupdate]

Quotes of recovery from this injury of 2-3 weeks are misleading, because this is the minimum recovery time seen in elite athletes after the most minor of tears. Other people have bigger tears or slower natural recovery or don't want to exercise until they are 100% (whereas elite athletes will run when they are 85% fit and ignore the pain).

However, recovery from a menisectomy should be quicker than months. If you have an inflammed bursa (either suprapatellar or Baker's cyst) that is attached to the knee joint, it means quite likely that something isn't right inside the knee.

The possibilities are (in order of most likely 1-4):
(1) Re-tear of the lateral meniscus - not common but not rare either. Laterals tend to re-tear after the initial procedure more often than medials.
(2) Associated lining cartilage problem that has flared up in association with the initial procedure. This could be picked up on an MRI or seen with the video of the procedure.
(3) Low grade infection that has occurred after the procedure. If your knee effusion (fluid) has lots of white cells in it and is cloudy might suggest this diagnosis. You could try a course of antibiotics.
(4) Associated rheumatological condition which has developed.

These are ideas, but obviously you need a full check up from your doctors to work out whether one of these is the problem.