Torn meniscus - can I avoid surgery??
Three weeks ago, I had a motor scooter accident and be taken to the emergency room. Dr. said it might just be a sprained ankle and soft tissue damage to my knees, but that if if persisted, to see an orthopedic surgeon. Because I still could not put weight on the knees, I saw the surgeon who diagnosed me with a torn meniscus. He put me in a brace and give me exercises in physical therapy to do at home. If this doesn't work, he suggests surgery. What are the probability that I can avoid surgery if I am faithful to the physical therapy? Big problem is that we are currently lacking insurance.
Answer: Torn meniscus is a very painful injury. I would enunciate your chances are
only 50/50. I would be terribly faithful in my psychiatric therapy and hope for the best. Was your motor scooter insured? You might have
some medical coverage through that policy..
It really depends on the severity of the injury. You might be able to overcome it near physical therapy. You doctor wouldn't have suggested it if he thought you have no chance with out surgery. He would enjoy just scheduled surgery. It's fundamentally possible, however, right now there are no established guidelines to predict who will do ably with conservative care. However, it have been suggested by the knee society that those near tears greater than 7mm almost always fail near conservative care.