 Poster: A snowHead
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A friend of mine, knowing that I had a knee operation in the past, asked me whether her mom, aged 73, should have surgery to repair her torn meniscus. Apparently, she is walking with difficulty.
I guess the standard answer would be "check with a good surgeon" but I'm assuming that she may just want some general info on whether such operations are recommended for older persons, or at least what questions to ask before taking a decision. I'm aware that in Romania (where she lives) there may be some surgeons who will enthusiastically recommend surgery for anything...
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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There're 73 year olds. Then, there're 73 year olds!
I know people who still climb mountains at 74. So the answer for those kind are obvious. I also know other 70 year old who spend their days sitting on their couch "waiting to die" (in their own words). Clearly the answer for those are also quite obvious.
So depends on which end of the spectrum this particular person falls, the answer could change.
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I'd say on a patient level if she could walk well then injured it and now can't, do physio then try op if needed. If it's been gradually worsening over years less convinced. Basically age is not a barrier if she's a good candidate.
Needs to see a surgeon 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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In the US there is a lot of talk about how surgical repair of meniscus tears is unnecessary or should I say does not produce outcomes worthy of the procedure. I've had a couple done, and I've also had my surgeon say "let's wait", and in that particular case I waited just fine for around seven years, then it became my second one. Both mine helped (both had a triggering event, not wear and tear). Since I'm not aware of such procedures causing harm, I'd be inclined to get cut again if needed AND if honest efforts at rest and PT etc did not help. At 73 the woman in question is not too old for surgery and likely has a lot of miles left on her odometer; might as well try and get more comfortable.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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I wish I could keep up with my 73 YO friend as he jogs up mountains and bounds down them again.
Sorry I cannot advise on whether to operate or not. I am not qualified for medical decisions.
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My orthos have always said that the tears I had were not repairable but had good results from having bits chopped out.
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Ive had bits of both of mine chopped off, the first got so bad some days I couldnt walk a few metres without it catching, waited 10 months for the op the second I paid to have done and was skiing quite soon after, not had problems with either since, 1st was in 2003 the second in 2013
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I damaged mine about 4 years ago, so I would have been about 68.
The surgeon said I should wait and see if it healed up .. and it did in about 3 months.
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I had/got a bucket tear. It eventually cleared up after about 8 months. I could not work for a few months & when I could start walking, my knee would buckle without any warning. Worst one was when walking down the stairs & I fell to the bottom!
Not sure if it healed or just worn away the bits catching, but its been ‘fine’ for the last 10 years, except I can no longer run.
Very little blood supply to the meniscus, so really depends how lucky you are!
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