What to do with a damaged meniscus - #190

Hello! It sounds like you’ve been facing a challenging situation with your knee health. Given your age and active lifestyle, it’s understandable that you want to return to your previous fitness level. Since you’ve been diagnosed with inflammation of the lateral meniscus and gonarthrosis of 1-2 degrees, consulting with an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine or a physical therapist is essential. They can provide a tailored rehabilitation program to assess your knee’s functionality and discuss your options. While you’ve agreed to hyaluronic acid injections, it’s crucial to give them time to assess their effectiveness, as many individuals find relief and improved mobility from these treatments. In addition to conventional treatments, Ayurvedic remedies can be beneficial for managing knee issues. Consider incorporating turmeric (curcumin) for its anti-inflammatory properties, ginger for pain relief, and ashwagandha and brahmi for overall support. Mahanarayan oil and Kottamchukkadi taila can be massaged into the knee for comfort. Panchakarma therapies like Kati Basti and Abhyanga can also promote healing. Engaging in structured physical therapy can help strengthen the muscles around your knee, improve flexibility, and enhance overall stability. Modifying activities to include low-impact exercises, such as swimming or cycling, can help maintain fitness without putting undue stress on your knee. If applicable, managing your weight can also reduce strain on the joints. Exploring alternative therapies, like acupuncture, might offer additional pain management benefits. If conservative treatments don’t yield results and your knee function remains compromised, discussing surgical options, such as arthroscopy, may be worthwhile. This procedure can allow for direct visualization and treatment of meniscus tears, potentially improving your knee function and enabling a return to sports. Finally, consider nutritional support, like glucosamine and chondroitin supplements, after consulting a healthcare provider. Focus on gradually reintroducing activities and listening to your body to achieve your goal of returning to sports while ensuring your knee health is prioritized.

Hey, sounds like you’ve been through quite the rollercoaster with your knee. Alright, let’s break down this situation. First off, it’s great you’re past the pain phase, that’s a huge win already. But I totally get why you’d be cautious about going back to training — no one wants a recurrence.

Very generally speaking, with medial meniscus issues, especially where there’s some wear and small tears, Ayurveda can offer supportive care while you figure out next steps. It’s like giving your knee a little extra love and attention.

With what you’ve described about gonarthrosis (knee osteoarthritis) and the meniscus troubles, the focus would often be on vata dosha since it tends to govern movement, and joints kind of sat at its mercy. A simple first step can be asimple home remedy– applied daily for 2-3 months – is a warm oil massage. Use sesame oil which has warming and vata-pacifying properties. Warm it slightly and gently massage around the area in circular motions for 15 minutes a day, then use a hot water bottle covered with a cloth to give some gentle heat. It won’t fix torn meniscus but it helps circulation and may bring relief.

Diet-wise, keep an eye on your agni (digestive fire) by sticking to warm, nurturing foods—soups or stews are classic. Anti-inflammatory foods like ginger, turmeric, add these liberally; they’re like nature’s support squad.

You know, Yoga can be a gentle way to keep the joint mobile without too much strain. Asanas that strengthen the quadriceps, like gentle sets of trikonasana or tadasana, hold your interest. They might help regain some confidence in your movements without pushing it too hard. Do these with awareness, starting like 3 times a week, maybe 10-15 minutes sessions to see how your knee handles it.

About arthroscopy or other invasive proceedures… that’s a decision where it often might help weigh risks alongside potential for return to sport. Still, hearing from another orthopedic specialist could perhaps shed some more light.

Oh, and stay limber with synchronization massages or panchakarma therapies if you’ve got access – got to keep that vata grounded. But really, if this thing ever flares up again, specially if there are instability, please make sure to get what’s nessecary medical interventions swiftly. Meanwhile, honoring your body’s current limits is its own kind of wisdom. Please keep listening to it, now that it’s been through so much.