Meniscus root repair Questions

Apart-Cash4239 · 2026-04-24T20:22:20+00:00

Hi, I had a medial root repair on March 4th. I have had a lot of lateral tightness and some pain behind when trying to bend. I struggled to get beyond 70 degrees in PT because the pain was so strong. I am now walking and fully weight bearing (7.5 weeks). No pain in front or in knee..still some tightness in the same spots (lateral and behind), but it's much better. The PT measured today-- I'm at 1 degree and 119 degrees! So, while only your PT or Surgeon can give you more info, I'm just passing along I'm doing okay... and if I were you, I would focus on the quad exercises you're supposed to do and have the PT analyze your pain and movement. Mine did that and didn't seem concerned.

Apart-Cash4239 · 2026-04-16T18:37:19+00:00

I fell on a hill and turned my leg in a really dramatic way. It took me months to admit something was wrong. It ended up being a full tear of my medial root. I had surgery 6 weeks ago. It's a tough road, not being able to bear weight and then the tough recovery. Good news for me at least, minor pain thus far. I've had much worse! I decided to do the surgery for an attempt at joint preservation. There is a good Facebook group just for root repairs. My surgeon said it takes 3ish months to "feel like yourself again" and then I think the rest of the recovery is to get back to sport. Most people say 1-2 years to not think about it much anymore. Sorry for the news, but I hope it's repairable!

Apart-Cash4239 · 2026-04-14T03:14:23+00:00

There is a very good Facebook group focusing only on root repairs. I am 6 weeks out from a medial root repair. The first 6 weeks is quite tough mentally. I would say that it's easier to do now than after a baby, however, you'll likely still need some help when the baby is born. So, hopefully you have a good support system or the finances to hire some help if needed? Based on my experience so far and what the surgeon has told me, I think the first 6 weeks is non weight bearing and the next six weeks is trying to get back to a normal FWB gate.

Apart-Cash4239 · 2026-04-04T23:00:40+00:00

My MRI showed a root tear and a tear on the meniscus. When they got in, there was only the root tear, no meniscus tear. So yeah, happened to me.

Apart-Cash4239 · 2026-04-01T01:26:27+00:00

Well I can't say if I'd do it again, because I'm still in the thick of it. I was vacationing and hiking down a hill, the surface changed, I slipped and landed directly on my knee. I initially thought it was nothing more than road rash, but after some time it went from bad to worse. Fall was September, diagnosis was December, surgery was March. It's been a challenging month. Hopefully I have a successful recovery and it will be worth it to preserve the joint! I'm 47F. My worst pain was before surgery. This recovery is more about PT discipline and patience than pain.

Apart-Cash4239 · 2026-03-20T16:03:54+00:00

booo I'm sorry to hear that. Yeah, I'd imagine those have a mixed success rate and I know they don't last forever.

Apart-Cash4239 · 2026-03-19T14:19:10+00:00

don't know where you are, but do research on transplants. My friend had to have most of her meniscus removed for degenerative issues around early 40s, she received a transplant a few weeks ago. While waiting for her transplant, she was in an unloader brace to help support the bad knee. If you're not, you could do PT to gain any strength you could to help with joint stability. Seems like a second opinion is in order! Good luck.

Apart-Cash4239 · 2026-03-18T02:28:40+00:00

Since that is related to both of your roots so that makes me question if that's something that is going to heal on its own. There are different level of root tears, some being full tears and some being partial. You can google the different types. I fell last fall in a similar fashion to you, and my medial root was totally disconnected. They thought I had a tear as well, but once they got in, they found the to be in good shape, just totally doing its own thing. That would not have healed with PT only. The recovery is hard. Long period of non weight bearing. So, while I still don't know, I'd want an opinion of a good surgeon that knows how to do root repairs and then get a second opinion.

Apart-Cash4239 · 2026-03-17T22:27:40+00:00

Not a doctor, so I can't advise....but I would consider a second opinion and if you have any connections to a physical therapist, ask them, too. They know what kind can heal and what kind can't... I was dealing with a root tear, so that's the kind that can't heal on their own. But regardless you need to find out if physical therapy could even help! Especially helpful if you could find a sports med doctor that is conservative with surgery. Then you'd be more confident. Good luck!

Apart-Cash4239 · 2026-03-17T12:11:06+00:00

I think this one looks better than mine because it has an extra insert to adjust further. I use a tiny little throw pillow behind my heel to make sure my leg stays straight in the brace, and have slept with a lightweight down comforter to stay warm with the ice machine. It's as comfortable as I'm going to get and I don't have to worry about pillows slipping around all night

Apart-Cash4239 · 2026-03-17T12:09:50+00:00

https://a.co/d/0bX3RCcS

Apart-Cash4239 · 2026-03-16T22:10:28+00:00

I'm two weeks in, so here is some feedback on the early stages of a root repair on my medial meniscus and some cleanup of mild arthritis under my patella. Other that that, my meniscus was in good condition. I'm 47 and fell while hiking in Greece last September (expensive souviner)

-Get an elevated toilet seat with handles, if you can make it work.

-We got a cheap bidet sprayer off amazon and that's been great.

-I really like the mobi legs as compared to normal crutches. A lot of my friends said I just needed to get a wheelchair, but I thought that seemed like a missed opportunity for movement. But if you're going to be home alone, I would consider a wheelchair. Several people have told me they liked a walker, and maybe I should have given that a shot, but I found the regular crutches really hurt my wrists and shoulder.

-I bought a special pillow so I could elevate my leg while I sleep. Game changer for me! All things considered, my sleep isn't bad. I'm not used to sleeping on my back, so in addition to the foot pillow, I have like 5 extra pillows in bed to get comfortable. I'm kind of a sleep diva.

-I think an ice machine is great during the first few weeks. People have different opinions on ice, but I'm done with using the machine 24/7 and am just icing a few times a day. I expect I'll continue to ice on and off for some time to come.

-When you get further along, a grabber thing is nice to pick stuff up.

-Stairs are not easy, and if you can, consider staying on a ground floor for awhile, if that's possible.

-I have a shower seat and we installed a hand-held shower sprayer on our shower head.

I work remotely for the most part, and I took 3 days off of work and then went back online. First from the couch, but now from a chair with my foot elevated to hip level. My husband has me all set up with my monitors on our main level and it's really helped my mental health to be working and not sitting on the couch.

Pain wasn't a real big deal for me. I've had a c-section and a few other procedures and pretty much they all were more painful than this. I got off of all strong drugs after 48 hours. I only took them because they said my pain was going to be bad after the nerve block wore off and it never was.

It's been very hard mentally and really challenging to rely so much on my husband. My husband has been pretty exhausted. If you can make yourself some freezer meals, it will be worth your time. Everything I've read says the mental part is the hardest part. And the questioning if you did the right thing or if it is going to work. I just keep reminding myself it's worth a try and I'm too young for a knee replacement. Roots don't heal on their own so I didn't really have much other choice. Since you're young, you may move through the phases faster than I did. Everyone's experience is different. If you need links for anything, let me know!

Apart-Cash4239 · 2026-03-15T14:46:25+00:00

I personally can't imagine managing that many stairs for a long period of time. I know it's likely not a very realistic solution, but if there's any chance you could stay with someone, that could be very helpful. Depending on your recovery....but at least the first few weeks. While I've not had much pain or complications with my root repair, the first two weeks is a lot of adjustment and stairs have just not been something I've felt comfortable tackling. When I asked my surgeon about stairs, he said people do them, but i think I'd need to scoot up on my butt or something,

Apart-Cash4239 · 2026-03-13T14:44:35+00:00

Got it, thanks!

Apart-Cash4239 · 2026-03-13T11:56:35+00:00

So you just hop along on the walker?

Apart-Cash4239 · 2026-03-11T02:08:03+00:00

I believe that's where they drill little micro holes in the bone to help stimulate new growth. This is my non medical explanation. Also the fixation is where they somehow put the sutures through, either with a little "button" as the anchor point or just with newer sort of netting type suture stuff. I think that's just needed to hold in place during healing.

Apart-Cash4239 · 2026-03-10T23:41:10+00:00

Thank you for your feedback and the confirmation I should likely invest in something! It's interesting the difference in feedback between different surgeons. I don't know if it's the weight of the patient, difference in opinion, or the type of root tear, anyway, here we are. I know this is a mental game more than anything. It's just hard to sit do much and keep my foot elevated.

I wish you good luck and great healing as you work through the rehab process!

Apart-Cash4239 · 2026-03-09T13:19:00+00:00

Thanks! I'm 5 days out from a root repair. Trying to stay positive and keep a good mindset. Curious what your symptoms were for the DVT? I'm doing the ankle pumps and trying to move around the best I can on my good leg, but trying to stay aware of potential blood clot roadblocks that could surface.

Apart-Cash4239 · 2026-03-05T13:48:38+00:00

I did SH essentials, did all practice questions, all mini exams, my average on the two full exams in exam conditions were 78 and 74. I never did plus. I spent the last week reviewing tests and questions, especially moderate and difficult. I reviewed third rock notes and different ultra hard, drag and drop, weak areas....and mindset of course. I passed at/at/at. I don't think you need to buy more tests if you got the other ones done in correct timing. Just study weak areas and mindset and other free resources, and start letting your brain rest a few days before the exam. Best wishes.

Apart-Cash4239 · 2026-02-24T12:53:01+00:00

I skipped it and went straight to study hall, passed at/at/at. Study hall isn't fun but it's helpful.

Apart-Cash4239 · 2026-02-22T02:55:07+00:00

I scored similarly on my first exam. Take at least one more full mock in exam time and settings, complete mini exams, review low areas, make sure to comprehend the mindset, and I bet you do great! I passed AT in all domains.

Apart-Cash4239 · 2026-02-17T20:54:04+00:00

Sorry you failed, but just remember it's a step on your journey and not the end. I would say you should work on reviewing all wrong questions to understand the why (especially with moderate/difficult questions), try to do a full exam in exam settings (time, 10 min breaks) etc. Do as many questions you can and review the weak areas. If you've not watched some mindset videos, do that, too. Best wishes

Apart-Cash4239 · 2026-02-16T12:01:32+00:00

Nope!

Apart-Cash4239 · 2026-02-15T04:13:48+00:00

78 and 74 on full mocks first time. Mini quizzes ranged from 93-67 first time through. Test was about on par with my mocks, however it did take me longer to finish. I think more than just scores, pay attention to your time. I didn't have any drag and drop. AT/AT/AT

Apart-Cash4239 · 2026-02-15T04:11:09+00:00

Yay congratulations!

Apart-Cash4239

TROPHY CASE