How long is disabled after a meniscus operation?
That depends on the extent of the operation. And also on the type of occupation. If only a so-called partial resection (only a small part of the meniscus removed), you can go back to work after about a week as a desk sergeant.
Sometimes there is also a sick leave for two weeks .. However, if you follow a physically active activity in which possibly even the knee must be bent more often, you must usually take at least two, rather even three weeks off. Tilers or physical education teachers have to stay longer than administrative employees.
It depends...
It looks different when different parts of the meniscus have been sewn together again. Then it is important for wound healing that the knee is not burdened for a long time, especially not bent. In addition to wearing a corresponding splint (knee joint orthosis) this means for the office worker 2-3 weeks inability to work, for the tiler or physical education teacher (as well as all other occupations affecting the knee) rather 6-8 weeks break.
All in all, it has to be said that there is no simple and blanket answer to the question of inability to work due to a meniscal tear. Every injury on the meniscus is a bit different, plus the different occupational stress. Ultimately, you have to clarify this in coordination with your doctor.
Author: Dr. med. Jörg Zorn
Read also:
When can the leg be fully loaded again after meniscal surgery?
I had the damage for 14 years and then I escaped from an operation through a lot of cycling. I was able to marathon, cycling, etc. Unfortunately, the Meniskusschaden by turning over while jogging again become acute, and the symptoms did not disappear even after a few months.
Therefore, I decided to an operation.
After 6 days with crutches I was able to strain the knee carefully again. Climb stairs after 2 weeks. After 5 weeks I started jogging again, walking and running in turns. I had physiotherapy and strengthened my knee - which I still do today.
Meanwhile, I walk again 35-40 km a week, but no more marathons. It is also important: Stretch a lot to get the mobility in the knee.
The meniscal tear was operated on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. After the operation I had no pain. For ten days I walked around with crutches. But only because in the cartilage small holes were drilled.
Overall, I only had pain on day 2 and 3, but nothing wild. The swelling almost completely disappeared after 12 days, and after 2 weeks I was able to walk a few kilometers without crutches.
So it does not always turn out bad. And - I did not even do physiotherapy. It worked that way too!
I am male and 55 years old, cycle about 3000 km a year and do a lot of work at work. That too will have helped.
All a good recovery and / or a good course of an OP.
But one thing I recommend everyone: use the prescribed physiotherapy and protect the knee!
I had knee surgery early in the year - 2 meniscal tears in the same knee, Baker's cyst and more. Now, 3 months later, I'm still unable to work. Flexion deficit, extension deficit, oblique gait, hip problems, back problems, neck strain ...
The healing process is not the same for everyone and certainly it depends on the Physio Therapy. Mine has brought me nothing - on the contrary, today I am crooked and crooked, pain without end (in the back and knee) and I will not operate on my 2nd knee - bad experience :-(
My inner meniscus was touched, I had the surgery done on an outpatient basis, and the cartilage was smoothened as well. The surgery went well, but much pain afterwards. My knee is very swollen and has been punctured. One day later it was so thick again. The surgery is now two weeks ago, but I still can not walk properly. Can only be better ... ;-), you have to be patient with something like that. Not every course is the same, as is healing.
Now 5 1/2 years later and fully suffering after a long exposure, I had to return to the Op.
On 12.01 I was operated on. 6 days later I was able to fully load again. The whole time no significant pain felt. Now I enjoy the last week of the sick leave and will be able to work again after 21 days.
I think it also depends very much on who does the Op and if he understands what his craft is.
Your pain after 2 days are unfortunately "normal". Get well !!
Was operated 8 weeks ago on the inner meniscus (tear). Was very painful. Since I can put weight on my left knee again, I have a stabbing pain on this knee inside when straining. The knee itself is not that good either. What can the stinging pain be?
Mfg Inge
I recommend a surgery (arthroscopy) for everyone, even with supposedly minor discomfort - because the risk of bad long-term damage is permanent if you do not do anything.
Have the operating room with general anesthesia in day clinic very well tolerated. No problems after that. Could run normally again after about 12 days. IMPORTANT: In the first few days, knees up + cool + light movements without full body weight. Then slowly "move out" the remaining fluid from the knee (which is why there is numbness in the knee - which is normal and disappears over time).
Since then, I was able to jog wonderfully and had no problems diving despite heavy effort during strong drift dives.
Why am I writing this "old camel"?
8 weeks ago, a motorist pushed me off the bike and injured my other knee.
MRI diagnosis: longitudinal tear meniscal + demolition.
Consequence for me: arthroscopy
The risk of a really severe knee injury without surgery would be permanently high, especially as long as I want to do sports. So my orthopedist. But since I want to continue doing that without fears, my decision is clear. Also by my very good experience with my 1st OP.
The basic requirement is, of course, always a good relationship of trust with the attending physicians, of course.
My conclusion:
The risk of complicated long-term injuries in the knee increases without surgery - that's my personal opinion. Even if such a minimal meniscal demolition in the knee may sound harmless. I feel a thousand times better when I know that this SANDKORN comes out of my knee joint in the TRANSMISSION ..
I had an operation today because of a tear in the meniscus. I can not say if I'm still in pain. At the moment the painkillers are still helping. But if I think that I could never squat down and hope to do sports again soon. And maybe playing football.
And if I hear here that an OP is never good. What can you do. if there is no other way. I can not say now if I would do it again .... But the surgery was half so wild ..... So do what your doctor and feel tells you.
Greetings to all who still have it ..... the anesthetic was awesome
1. Anyone who gets knee pain after exercise or age, does not complain in the forum, but worried an MRI; and immediately!
Then he gets a 2.MRI, if supposedly everything should be OK despite pain! For me, a crack was overlooked after an MRI and then a nasty Lappenriss it, gross pain!
But I had a good clinic. How do you recognize a good clinic? Joint, sports or clinic (football association, Olympic training center etc.). The operation of the meniscus is stitched in a good clinic with Fast Fix by Smith & Nephew. Holds top. Dissolves later on.
So, I had the surgery because of Lapp break, can now jog again after 4 months! Patella is still a bit stiff! A 3rd MRI from the other knee then showed an initial tear (2 cm). 12 weeks after the first surgery, the next surgery.
Now I walk again completely normal and jogging again 50 km a week, before 100 km a week. I am 53 years old. Important: if you have an MRI, take a look for yourself. Googles after MRI cracks meniscus and compares: a crack can be seen by a light line in the tissue, the brighter the stroke, the more destroyed the tissue. Upside down people, that's half as crazy :)
I suffered a wheel accident on 30/11/15, in which fortunately "only" the right knee was badly damaged. Had directly max. Emergency diagnostics including imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT). I was quickly operated on (cruciate ligament and meniscus), left the KH on the 4th day with orthosis (10 degrees, 60 degrees), received at home (60 days) an electric "knee swing" (passive), have crutches and allowed 6 Weeks burden the right leg only with its own weight. During the first 2 weeks painkillers, rest and cooling of the knee plus 2x physio per week helped. This package is highly recommended, you need patience and a lot of rest, which can be unusual.
The success came "gradually and as if by itself": now I walk at home without crutches, outside under stress with crutches, pain under load max. 1 (from 0 to 10) :-), I can go 10,000 steps on the day, the diffraction is now at 90 degrees, I'm still AU and need this for recovery (even if I'm self-employed).
My goal is to be able to run again (hiking and jogging), can only recommend to "listen" to the body and despite movement urgency of rest to give first priority to healing.
However, I have lost the "good feeling" for the knee and do not know if slight pain in the muscular degeneration after the Op. lie or a load limit of Op-structures represent.
Only courage; left untreated, this seems to be a big problem, just as when "one" goes too fast into the burden, a few young football players have met with relapses ...
It is said that surgery is too fast, if you go to the surgeon you will definitely be operated on. However, it takes even without surgery 3 to 4 months, until everything can be fully loaded again, so can do sports, so patience.
Remember, those who did not do well write more comments than those who did not do well. In this respect, the comments are not necessarily representative (although each one of course has his permission).
Anyway, there are also many cases of such a meniscus surgery in which everything works well again afterwards with the sports.
All the best and kind regards
Your navigator team