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Meniscus Repair Questions

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Shlobby
Posts: 1665 - Karma: 303
So I tore my meniscus last march and had surgery in the end of July because I was at school. It was a repair so it takes a lot longer to heal rather than them just taking it out. Anyways I want to hear how long it was until you guys skied on the repair. I want to start skiing in the middle of January but Im a little hesitant. My doc said it takes 6 month until its healed and a couple more til I could ski. I'm just curious what others experiences are with skiing on their meniscus repair is. Thanks guys.
Nov 20 2012 10:28PM
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grams.
Posts: 7406 - Karma: 186
You can ski in 6 months, at least I did.I had mine repaired as well. Keep in mind, I worked my ass of rehabbing it (not really for skiing, but for baseball). That's the key, you can't just sit around on a bad knee. I had the surgery July 1st and I was skiing two weeks before January 1st. I wasn't skiing the park, just cruising groomers. It definitely felt weird at first but you get more confident as you knee becomes more stable and strong...if you have any other questions or anything feel free to PM me.
Nov 20 2012 10:31PM
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Shlobby
Posts: 1665 - Karma: 303
That's what I was planning on doing because I want to go back two weeks early too. I rehab 4 or 5 days a week because I don't want to miss ski season. Thanks for the response!
Nov 20 2012 10:36PM
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ski0
Posts: 2321 - Karma: 5,370
Hey , I did this when i was hitting urban at around 16-17 in Feb and then got surgery and the next winter I completely changed my skiing philosophy from park/urban to backcountry/touring/telemarking.

Telemarking and touring was incredible for regaining my knee strength. I cant recommend it highly enough. Super low impact, super hard, totally teaches you a new way to ski, and makes your legs bulletproof. I also turned from an ADD park rat type into a much more patient and mature skier. I was told I shouldnt do park and urban and I could do permanent damage, so this was the call I had to make, but it turned out to be fucking amazing.

Now at 22 , i enjoy park riding, and ski touring as well.



Nov 20 2012 10:39PM
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ski0
Posts: 2321 - Karma: 5,370
I also got a repair by the way
Nov 20 2012 10:40PM
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Shlobby
Posts: 1665 - Karma: 303
Alright thanks for the tips! +k to you both!
Nov 20 2012 11:23PM
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Shlobby
Posts: 1665 - Karma: 303
anyone else
Nov 21 2012 9:48AM
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HWW
Posts: 3084 - Karma: 3,436
I'm in a different situation, I had my ACL repaired (patella graft) in February, but the healing time for this is around 6 months too. The healing also depends on how you live, your exercise, stretching, and other things like weight and diet too, so 6 months is just a suggested time - but unless you know better, then always take the doctor's advice.

I was told 6 months is fine for normal sports activities, but this doesn't mean that everything is completely healed, as such a process can take more than one or two years. That's why, even now, 9 months after, I will not be doing anything other than casual groomer skiing, and when i feel my leg is strong enough I might ski some powder.

I can't decide what's right for you, but planning to start two weeks earlier than suggested doesn't seem the best idea. Just make sure that if you do, you are completely rehab'd out and have beefy legs!!!
Nov 21 2012 3:09PM
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Shlobby
Posts: 1665 - Karma: 303
Alright thanks for your reply its much appreciated!! +k
Nov 21 2012 4:57PM
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Shlobby
Posts: 1665 - Karma: 303
Bump anyone else
Nov 22 2012 4:01PM
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LoathesRaisins
Posts: 3612 - Karma: 4,735
I'm getting a piece of mine taken out on thursday.
Nov 22 2012 4:09PM
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EMK
Posts: 1632 - Karma: 669
I had mine trimmed, it must have been sort of different though cos although I wasn't skiing still due to not having an acl at the time I was in the gym again like 1 week later and back to where i was before within a month.
Nov 22 2012 5:32PM
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jack.whelan
Posts: 1504 - Karma: 122
I have meniscus/cartilage removed from both knees due to football (soccer) and skiing. I continue to play football 3 times a week, and ski almost every day when possible.

When i had one of the mensicus repaired, i was told by the doc that its a 50/50 success rate. There is minimal blood flow to that area, so the healing process is very slow, if it is there at all. I rehabbed and looked after mine for about 3 months. Just as I was starting to jog again, i retore the meniscus whilst crossing the road. fun. I had to go back into surgery to have it removed.

It is definitely better to repair it if they think they can - after all, you dont want to be going around without any shock absorbers in you knee. However, make sure you take your time, as the meniscus is very fragile. If you start too soon, you WILL tear it again. If that happens, you WILL need another operation and they wont be able to repair it again. They will have to trim it - this is not good.

My advice would be to take your time, and very slowly introduce new things. jogging straight, jogging and speeding up then slowing down. then try turning. then try stopping and accelerating. its a really lengthy process. a harder and more delicate rehab process than ligament repairs. i know through experience. with a bit of luck, you should be fine in 4-5 months - just dont be too bummed if it goes again.

If it does, its a quick snip, 3 weeks, and you're good to go loco!
Nov 22 2012 7:13PM
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shocker611
Posts: 2599 - Karma: 423
Mine was kind of annoying.  I tore mine the first time and got it repaired.  Went through all the pain and work to get it back to strength then it turned around and tore again and I just got it taken out and have been healthy since.  With that said, I tore it the end of July and got surgery like first week of August and skied opening day at my hill (probably like early December?).  It was fine all ski season then I blew it out standing up at a track meet.  
Nov 22 2012 7:33PM
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Shlobby
Posts: 1665 - Karma: 303
Thanks for all the responses guys! +k to all of you
Nov 23 2012 5:08PM
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Robski97
Posts: 66 - Karma: 306
sergury wasnt bad at all. i did it 6 weeks.
Feb 10 2013 1:23PM
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theBOSS.
Posts: 4705 - Karma: 496
6 months for just a meniscus repair, nothing else? that seems like a really long time. I've had it done several times and it's always 6 weeks non weight bearing (to allow the tissue to heal), then whatever PT you need after that to get back to full strength.
Feb 10 2013 2:40PM
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