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[organic_prof]

Does anyone know anything about a torn meniscus in the knee?  I woke up on Saturday morning and couldn't put weight on my knee. I did not have any trauma that I know of to it, but it had been popping in a disturbing way for a couple of months.  One of my students is an athletic trainer and thought it was a torn meniscus, as did my father who is a doctor and my husband who is a nurse. I will see the doctor this afternoon, but would welcome any personal insights.

[gennimom]

Basically you've torn the cartilage in the knee. I've torn mine twice. The chunk was attached on one side and would flip in between the bones of the leg and lock my knee up. I've had that removed, but I've got permanent damage to it that causes swelling and pain occasionally.

Depending on how it is torn, it may necessitate surgery, but it is often done on an outpatient basis, through an arthroscopy. This is minimally invasive and you'll be back on your feet in no time.

Here's hoping you have good news!

[schoolmarm]

Ouch, and welcome to the world of knee braces and physical therapy.

I was lucky that I didn't have a torn miniscus when I had to wait 6 months to have ACL surgery.  They prepped me for the additional surgical work and post-op therapy on the miniscus, but low and behold, mine was fine.  I think that the ACL is worse than miniscus, but others may disagree.  I was NOT back on my feet in no time.

See your doc and an orthopedic surgeon for more options.  And take the physical therapy seriously!

[dr_strangelove]

I've torn the meniscus in both knees. Left one was repaired about 20 years ago; haven't had any problem with that since. (But I did tear the ACL in that knee and had it replaced; they might have done a little meniscus cleanup during that surgery, I don't remember.) Had a tear in the right one three or four years ago; like the OP I didn't have any trauma, I think it was just accumulated wear. Had it cleaned up arthroscopically and was walking the next day. I was back playing tennis in about five weeks. Haven't had any problems since with that one either.

And as schoolmarm says, take the rehab seriously if you have surgery. It makes a big difference.

[biomancer]

Advice above is excellent - and I would add that you get that knee to an orthopedist sooner rather than later, and furthermore, if surgery is to be had, have it sooner rather than later.  My orthopedists waited six months before doing surgery on my knee (during which time the cartilage continued to deteriorate), and my cartilage is permanently damaged beyond repair. 

If/when you get a knee brace, here's a trick I picked up:  find an old sweatshirt and cut out the sections of sleeve that just fits over the knee area and use one as a liner to the brace.  This accomplishes two tasks:  (1) it is a removable, washable liner that will keep the brace from stinking too badly, and (2)  it's a warm layer that helps minimize the arthritis discomfort on cold days.