 Poster: A snowHead
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Hello.
I was just wondering how many people ski regularly on a torn meniscus and what the boundaries are. Im a freeride fanatic and since I was just starting out, I'd hit the odd 10-15 foot drop and make some nice long turns.
I tore the medial meniscus on a trampoline and since i'm 22 the surgeon was quite hopeful that an arthroscopic repair would heal. Obviously it didnt and now im left with a torn meniscus. I gather my two options are to suck it up and make my muscles as strong as possible or to have it removed which would put me in a wheel chair by 50.
Anyone had a similar problem? And what are your limitations now in terms of skiing. Am I gonna have to stick to groomers (I hate groomers).
Si
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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simonablake, I tore mine 20 years ago (age 25). on my back for a week, crutches for 4 more weeks, full season off cricket and skiing then next year started both again (nervously) and ever since it just seems to have gradually returned to normal give or take the odd odd twinge / creak / twang.
My consultant said at the time that they could do an op but as it was already (this was at 3 months) seeming to get gradually better 'leave well alone'. This was good advice. I have been a regular gym attendee ever since - nothing like a serious injury and wanting it not to restrict you, as motivation.
My skiing is (and was) fairly 'recreational' and 90% on piste, but I don't feel limited other than I will not go near any sort of jumps, and so I doubt you'll have to sitck to groomers
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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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simonablake, They rarely remove all of a meniscus these days, it would have to be shred to bits for them to do that. I had a wee bit shaved off that would not repair in February 2004 and was back skiing in less than 3 weeks. I'm no spring chicken and have had multiple surgeries on the knee concerned but still have about 50% of the meniscii in there.
Perhaps getting it looked at by a specialist is a better idea as the progress in repairs, replacement, etc is improving in leaps and bounds these days. As you are still quite young and alo very healthy and motivated they would do everything to preserve as much of the natural tissue as possible.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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simonablake, I've had large chunk of mensicus removed and had around 6 month recovery period (does vary person to person) but still regularly ski off piste, run, wakeboard and generally abuse my knees more than is probably sensible.
After op my consultant said no more impact stuff - and was rather gobsmacked when I asked if that included skiing - physios contradicted and told build up gradually. Few years later back to powder days and loving it, wouldn't prob be bothered by 10 foot drop as long as I thought could land straight without twisting. As per red 27 I train regularly and now just get occasional twinge. If anything I find it easier on knee off piste as opposed to working edges on piste.
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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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simonablake, another thought was that raquet sports are now a thing of the past, not that I was mad keen anyway.
I never ran or cycled but I'd be a bit wary of either unless you were sure your technique was good. Some joggers I see make me shudder. The cross-trainer is defintely my CV exercise of choice in the gym - mimics the pedalling action of skiing and if you don't hold the handles it gives a balance aspect too.
My hobbies of rock climbing and hill walking both seem to have helped with general leg strength and flexibility and I also do lunges and lots of swiss-ball hamstring stuff at the gym.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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There are too many variables involved for you to get much meaningful info from other people's experiences.
Type, Size, Location of tear
Age of patient
Mechanism of injury
pre-existing arthritis
commitment to rehab
Because of that, answers could range from Great, never looked back, pain free, full activity to Dreadful, wish I'd never had it done, always painful, never skied again although given the nature of the site, the answers are likely to be skewed to the former.
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doctor_eeyore, Don't be such a t-I-t! Of course everyone is different but the original poster was asking for support not a diagnosis. No-one in their right mind would take a diagnosis off a load of Internet weirdos, whether they are real doctors or pretend ones.
We gave simonablake the benefit of our personal expeience, plus pointed him in the direction of professionals.
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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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simonablake, Definitely hope, tore mine 4 years ago ( bucket handle tear, in a knee thats had other surgery) 6 weeks later was skiing on it, in powder and back country conditions in Canada for two weeks, couldnt walk properly with it though. Had arthroscopic surgery - the handle cut away, 5 weeks later after the ski trip. I was advised when sking to avoid drops or jumps - surgeon was a skier, but now its fine skiing and I dont think about it. Doesnt really give me any problems these days.
Obviously every case is different as mentioned above, try and see a surgeon who understands or skis and a good physio is worth talking to.
Good luck with getting it sorted.
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Cheers ppl. Just wanted to know how everyone has coped. Im about 4 months post arthroscopy on a complex medial meniscus tear and like i said the surgery didnt heal it. My leg isnt really strong enough yet for me to put it through anything but once it is, im def gonna hit the powder. Might have to pass on big jumps until Cyberdyne start making knee joints.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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I had the followup MRI in December and that confirmed that the tear had not healed and had actually got a bit bigger. The surgeon said that I should get back to sports etc but I will be vulnerable.
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FAQ
Thats all that I wanted to know when trashed mine.
is sufficiently meaningful.
