The first treatment, in most cases, is to rest the muscles and allow the acute inflammation to lessen. You can usually go home the on same day of your surgery., Your knee will be wrapped with dressing and an elastic bandage, and you will be given an ice pack to help with pain and swelling. 2008;451(7181):914-8. doi:10.1038/nature06797. A meniscectomy is an outpatient, elective surgery to remove the torn meniscus in your knee. For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service. It can create another problem later on youve got to listen to your knee youve got to listen to your body and make sure that you only go with what you can tolerate without making it worse without swelling pain or definitely not losing motion and you might consider staying in physical therapy longer than they want you to or finding something to help you out. Cleveland Clinic offers expert diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for bone, joint or connective tissue disorders and rheumatic and immunologic diseases. Circ Res. The Thompson test is one example. No physical therapy was recommended other than at the hospital when I was given 3 exercises to do every day. Thats because the meniscus helps decrease stress on the knee and provides shock absorption, stability, and joint lubrication. Most of the pain was from the calf unless I turned the wrong way and then I'dfeel a very sharp pain in the knee. Razi M, Mortazavi SMJ. Page not found Instagram When someone has a torn meniscus is it suppose to hurt when standing in one place? Joints. Allen R, Kirby K. Nocturnal leg cramps. I switched to a cane for 1 or 2 days. Perreault T, Fernndez-de-Las-Peas C, Cummings M, Gendron BC. Fortunately, this injury tends to heal on its own. I have arthritis in knee as well. Lower extremity manifestations of peripheral artery disease: the pathophysiologic and functional implications of leg ischemia, Are you positive that the Simmonds-Thompson test is negative? You may also have calf pain and stiffness. Torn meniscus - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic Clinical evaluation of bleeding and bruising in primary care. Contacting a doctor. Save the meniscus, A good strategy to preserve the knee. Managing Pain With Medications After Orthopaedic Surgery Reumatismo. This should include drugs, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies. Medications to improve blood flow in the legs. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. I hope you get the answers you need and are feeling better real soon! Infection is an unusual complication of meniscus surgery, but it can occur. Oftentimes, after having a meniscus surgery, people are told that theyll be fine. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. And theres things that you can do, which Ill allude to here in the middle. Discoloration, such as very pale or bluish skin, in your leg, feet or toes. Among these, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) tests can detect general inflammation common with infections. 2018 Sep;30(3):269-272. doi:10.5792/ksrr.17.072. which lies above the medial calf muscle. Muscle Injuries in Sports Medicine. Early symptoms, such as swelling and pain, can be managed by resting, elevating the leg and other common strategies for knee injuries, such as ice and anti-inflammatory medications. It is a collection of knee joint fluid that pools in the back of the knee. Many return to normal activities within six to eight weeks. I understand with a blood clot flexing makes it hurt. Prevent or slow the development of arthritis. Surgery has a high success rate, with studies showing sustained effectiveness 2 years post-operation. Knee Swelling After Meniscus Surgery You may need bloodwork or an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) to help plan your surgery and anesthesia. 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 |, Important Updates + Notice of Vendor Data Event, (https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/muscle-contusion-bruise), (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1635612/), (https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/brain,-spinal-cord,-and-nerve-disorders/symptoms-of-brain-spinal-cord-and-nerve-disorders/muscle-cramps), (https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/muscle-bone-and-joints/conditions/leg-cramps), (https://sma.org.au/resources-advice/injury-fact-sheets/gastrocnemius-calf-strain/). NeurologyApr 2021,96(15 Supplement)2997. For these, please consult a doctor (virtually or in person). People over age 65 are also at a higher risk of lower leg pain due to muscle weakness, certain health conditions or if theyve been inactive. Surgical treatment is needed if there is a concern regarding the development of the knee with a large discoid or when symptoms begin to interrupt daily A complete bone break can cause your leg to look deformed. Many hospitals will remind you to leave any valuable belongings (such as wallet, jewelry) at home. However it has gotten worse. while avoiding unnecessary surgery, injections, and medications. When a person falls or twists forcefully with weight distributed awkwardly in the knee or leg, the meniscus can tear or rupture. In rare cases, people need surgery for torn calf muscles, blood clots or blocked arteries in the calf. Experiences resolving Torn Meniscus in 80 year old man. Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other abusable medications. I have a history of ovarian cysts. for a Meniscus Tear Most people are able to stop taking pain relief drugs after the first week. Calf Pain After Meniscus Surgery- 709 Questions Answered 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Afterward, your calf muscle may be sore for a few days. The knee gets a little better each day, but is still very tight and swollen but the pain is tolerable so I've weaned myself off of the crutches. Surgery is rarely needed to treat calf pain, but it may be necessary for more severe injuries, such as a torn Achilles tendon or a blocked popliteal artery that won't Typically, a contusion leads to skin discoloration along with tenderness or severe pain. Then the incisions are closed with stitches or surgical tape. Knee/leg hurts some. Meniscectomy: What to Know About Removal of the Meniscus. Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other commonly abused medications. Your healthcare provider may suggest exercises to help you get back to normal faster. Physical therapy is an important part of treatment for almost all orthopedic conditions. I would be concerned about a blood clot, but I've had issues with that calf for years off and on. A calf muscle cramp is a sudden, involuntary contraction of one or more calf muscles. Dr. Heidi Fowler and another doctor agree. It is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as medical advice or a diagnosis of any health or fitness problem, condition or disease; or a recommendation for a specific test, doctor, care provider, procedure, treatment plan, product, or course of action. Your healthcare provider may suggest full or partial meniscus removal if you tear your meniscus. To diagnose your calf pain, a healthcare provider will likely perform a physical exam and ask you about your medical history. This is common in people who have arthritis. WebOther reasons for knee pain after meniscus surgery is the fact that there is a retained piece or maybe the tear was fixed and the sutures have not held and the repair failed. Its more common in athletes and people who exercise and put excess stress on their calf muscles. Slowly start moving your knee and In fact, meniscus tears can be a normal occurrence as a part of the aging process. He says it only hurts when he walks on it. Potential risks and complications from a meniscectomy include: Stiffness of the knee joint can occur as a result of persistent swelling or scar tissue formation around the knee joint. So if youre sitting at home right now, and you just had your meniscus surgery a month or two ago, and youre thinking, gosh, why arent I much better already. Sciatica. Should my calf hurt if my meniscus is torn? There are some lifestyle habits you can adopt to prevent many causes of calf pain, especially muscle-related ones. Complexe tears usually require surgery to trim the damaged part of one meniscus. Tendonitis: Tendons attach your calf muscles to bones in your leg. A meniscus tear can cause pain and stiffness, limiting the range of motion. Seek immediate medical attention if you have pain, swelling, and tenderness in your leg and develop breathlessness and chest pain. A nerve conduction study should be done. Dr. John Michalski answered. This is often referred to as a pinched nerve and can happen due to overuse or sudden trauma. What comes after this? But theres still healing to be done and that 20% is really critical. Anyone can get calf muscle pain. 2601 E. Yandell Drive, Suite 232 To prevent this from happening, you may need a cast or possibly surgery. It sends nerve impulses back and forth between the leg and spine and controls leg motion. Talk to your healthcare professional if you have knee pain that interferes with your life, work or activities. How to Prepare for Knee Replacement Surgery, Beyond Arthritis: Hip and Knee Replacements for Women. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) like Advil (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen) are some of the most commonly prescribed medications, especially for people with tendinitis or a muscle strain, contusion, or cramp. Tibia and fibula fractures. A few days before surgery, your healthcare provider will: The most common procedure for a torn meniscus is knee arthroscopy. Now, the focus when you go into a surgeons office, theyre looking at your MRI, theyre looking at your meniscus on the MRI, theyre telling you the tear in the way that its torn and how theyre going to repair it. A meniscectomy is not recommended if at-home treatment can adequately reduce your symptoms or if your torn meniscus can be repaired via meniscus repair surgery. Rongen J, Rovers M, van Tienen T, Buma P, Hannink G. Increased risk for knee replacement surgery after arthroscopic surgery for degenerative meniscal tears: a multi-center longitudinal observational study using data from the osteoarthritis initiative. Policy. When youre asleep, your anesthesiologist may put a breathing tube in your windpipe to protect your airway. What is making it hurt? This happens way more often than I like to admit. And then after the surgery, the focus is doing physical therapy, typically if he gets sent there, and youre going to lose some motion in the surgery so your knee wont be able to bend or straighten all the way. If the infection is around the incision, antibiotics will usually cure the infection. Prevalence of Baker's cyst in patients with knee pain: an ultrasonographic study. Osteoarthr Cartil. In most cases, a partial meniscectomy is done to try to preserve as much of the cartilage as possible. Leave the bandage in place per your surgeon's instructions.. My thigh or the leg above the knee hurts too occasionally when active. It's important to stretch regularly and use proper stretching techniques to prevent further injuries. Exercises to try. Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. Am Fam Physician. Strenuous exercise can tear the meniscus, a layer of Meniscus Surgery Conforti M. The treatment of muscle hematomas. Those over 30 may be less likely to have a successful surgical repair since meniscal tissue begins to weaken with age. If a tear happens in this location, the meniscus may not have the ability to heal because of the lack of nutrients from the blood. Calf muscle pain can be a dull ache or a sharp pain in the back of your leg, behind your shinbone. The most common causes of calf pain are relatively harmless and readily treatable. The edges of the meniscus are made smooth with a shaver, which is a motorized instrument with suction. And if we know anything about cartilage, if you want to look this up, it takes about six up to 12 months to fully heal depending on the severity of that injury on the meniscus on that cartilage. I would say to call your doctor who did the surgery to see what he thinks it is. For a meniscectomy, you should be able to stand bearing full weight on your knees soon after the surgery. If you dont have crutches, they should be given to you at the hospital after surgery. Needling Interventions for Sciatica: Choosing Methods Based on Neuropathic Pain Mechanisms-A Scoping Review. EFORT Open Rev. They may also share some exercises you can do at home. Is it normal for leg length to increase after torn meniscus surgery? 2013 Dec;57(4):327-333. They will likely perform other special tests if they suspect a certain diagnosis. And they might look at the tear with an arthroscope.