I have been having an excruciating pain on my knee for over 6 months. I took the MRI scan recently and it revealed that I have a Grade 3 lateral meniscus partial tear and a Grade 2 medial meniscus partial tear. The doctor has recommended an arthroscopy partial meniscotomy for the same. I have the following questions :

1) I believe the torn portion of the meniscus is chipped out in the surgery. Is it safe to work out a couple of months after surgery, given that meniscus is critical in absorbing any shock on the knee.

2) Could anyone who has been through the surgery share their experience of the surgery, the post surgery rehab and the life after it. I have been working out for 5 years and I want to continue lifting weights for years to come. 

I truly appreciate any help, suggestion, advice. Thanks in advance. 

I haven't had the surgery but I would simpy ask your doctor how long the recovery process will be. They should be able to give you a fair idea. I'm pretty sure it would be 3-6 months for a knee though before you can get back to proper, total effort training. You'll probably have to take a number of weeks off completely, before you start back with light rehab, working back to full strength.

Hey Bro,

I·ve another injuri. Didn·t told you before because I was waiting the results from the Doctor. 10 weeks ago, I thougt I was smart by doing stand up calves on one leg to avoid weights on my shoulders. I lost the stability a little, and results in a lessure on my right knee. As the pain didn·t passed away, the fysio recomended me to visit the Doctor. He suspect the meniscus. Past tuesday I·ve received the results of the MRI scan. I·ve a small splinter on the bone, a small tear on the meniscus and a lot of moisture arround the meniscus. He gave me an injection, I think to dry up the knee on the inside. But I·ve to do carefully. Movements are ok, but no weights the comming 6 weeks with rotations on my knee. Avoid squads with weights. It means I can·t do legs excercises till next year. Do you have some excercises for my legs withhout overload my knee?

I have to avoid the rotation on my knee with weights.

If I do sitting calves, on the leg press with extended legs, would that be ok?

You might thinking I·m destroing myself, or falling into pieces😑 . It was a stupid thing to do, I learned from it. After 6 weeks I can build it up again. The comming weeks I·ll only train the upperbody.

Greetings,

Rafael

I would ask your doctor if you are actually able to do bodyweight exercises without putting pressure on the knee - they will probably know best, and you don't want to do anything to make the condition worse.

For example, ask if you can do leg extensions without weight (while sitting on your couch, for example), or small step ups without weight. Things like that to keep your legs muscles at least working without overloading.

Maybe ask about cycling too - that will be good for your legs!

Hey Bro, thanks for your advice and tips!

I hope to start the new year with the full program. I·ll take the legs excecises as you mentioned. Knie movements are ok, all without weights as the Doctor said. Still have to work on my arms, chest, shoulders, back and belly. Maybe it·s a moment to pay atention on this part of the body for know.

Greetings,

Rafael

Yeah @RafaelMC definitely a good time to focus on the areas you can train! If you wanted to you could always follow one of the programs and just avoid the leg routines for now. Focus on filling in the leg workout with your own bodyweight rehabilitation stuff, and maybe even some weak point training too 💪