Medical Question, Knee Scoped, how long before I can play?

[jkumpire]

Had cartilage tear had to get fixed

Hi folks,

I tore a medial meniscus (cartilage) in my left knee, and it got too painful, so I got if fixed on 6/23. How long can reasonably expect to be unable to play golf? I am a lefty, so I know there is a little more recovery time because of the damage.

I am going crazy already, no Baseball, no running, no lifting, no golf. I am doing my assigned rehab stuff already, but real rehab won't start until next week at least. I just got done with Winter, now it is back for me.

It's funny, but I played my best round of a horrible season on the day I had the surgery, since I was the last guy on the surgery schedule. If I had not doubled the last two holes.....

Any ideas or experience in how long it takes to get on the course again? Thanks!

[Lou Tenant]

Ive had both of mine scoped twice. If your calf and quad is in good shape it might be sooner, but you should be good to go in a month. If you're a little hesitant, try a velcro knee wrap brace. They are less than 20.00 at the local pharmacy and very comfortable.

[azone]

Hey, talk to your doctor. Focus on the rehab. You'll be back soon enough. A successful repair is much more important than pushing the return.

[shinysticks77]

Call your orthopedist....I had mine scoped and was back playing competetive soccer after 9 weeks of serious rehab. However, this was still a tad early and I had complications for much longer than I would have had I waited a little longer and focused more on the rehab......

[Carolina Golfer 2]

Like Azone said, follow the rehab and Doc's instructions and you'll be fine. I the same thing scope for a meniscus tear on my left knee, although I'm a righty so it was my pivot leg.

 

I had it done on Dec 30th ( a few years ago) and played my first 9 hole round on like Jan 19th. I went to the PGA show in late January and played 4 rounds in late Jan. So a month later I was on the course. That said, it was probably a good year before I fully trusted the knee to get all my weight on that knee, so it did affect my game that first year. At least I had that as an excuse :)

[adam_mac84]

it depends on what type of tear it was, how serious it was. i assume since they didn't repair it, and rather removed the damaged tissue, i would say safely say 12 weeks and you should be back. If you are right handed your left knee medial meniscus sustains alot of pressure as you move and rotate your weight forward and externally rotate your femur on tibia.

 

You could probably play earlier with a compensated swing, but wouldn't recommend it.

 

i don't know where you are located but go to the american physical therapy association website and find a sports oriented therapy clinic with a therapist that has OCS (ORTHO clinical specialist) or CSCS (cert strength and conditioning specialist) behind their name.

 

www.apta.org

 

you can pm me if you have any other questions. (doctor of physical therapy)

[BigLeftyinAZ]

Had my surgery may 5th.Doc told me no full swings for 12 weeks.

[BParis]

jk, don't ask for medical advice on a golf enthusiast website, trust your ortho and do what he/she says. Otherwise, you will get some idiot giving you advice that may or may not be accurate.

 

 

(Psst!!!.... after my last knee scope I was hitting balls standing on one leg after 7 days.... played my first full round 3 weeks post op...)

 

 

^^^^^^

See what I mean about the idiot?!!

[dowgold]

Hey, Welcome to the club. I just got arthroscopic surgery done on 6/8/09 for a meniscus tear. The surgeon removed 30% of the meniscus on my left knee (suggest you find out what was the extend of the tear and how much was removed). It has been now about 2 1/2 weeks and I am walking normally with a knee flex of 120 degree (you should expect 135 degree by week 6 at least). It took me 5 days to walk without crutches and 2 weeks to walk normally. My Surgeon told me absolutely no sport during the first 3 weeks except for the PT (Physical Therapy). I strongly suggest as stated in previous post that you focus your attention to the PT, at least twice a week as soon as possible couple with additional exercises at home (ask your PT for them). Also, as soon as the holes are closed, you should go in the pool and exercise in it, walking forward, backward, side to side and gentle squads.

 

If all is well, 6 weeks and you could start to consider it, but don't worry and listen to your body, it WILL let you know... Good luck

[golow]

Hi folks,

 

I tore a medial meniscus (cartilage) in my left knee, and it got too painful, so I got if fixed on 6/23. How long can reasonably expect to be unable to play golf? I am a lefty, so I know there is a little more recovery time because of the damage.

 

I am going crazy already, no Baseball, no running, no lifting, no golf. I am doing my assigned rehab stuff already, but real rehab won't start until next week at least. I just got done with Winter, now it is back for me.

 

It's funny, but I played my best round of a horrible season on the day I had the surgery, since I was the last guy on the surgery schedule. If I had not doubled the last two holes.....

 

Any ideas or experience in how long it takes to get on the course again? Thanks!

 

I'm a lefty with a torn left meniscus as well. I'm on my second cortisone shot and going strong trying to get to at least fall before a clean up and repair (no medial collateral as well). I don't recommend trying the shots. I'm stupid and close friends with my surgeon so I get what I want - cortisone, codeine, muscle relaxants when my wife throws out my back :rolleyes: , even Viagra ... not in that order though.

 

I had surgery on my right medial meniscus a few years back and was lightly swinging 3 weeks later, full out in 6 weeks). The left for us lefties will be a bit slower I'm sure. Hurts at the top of backswing and at impact yes ?

 

Listen to your orthopod (I don't - I should) because he/she will know the extent of your repair. As you go definitely listen to your PT - he/she will see your progress or lack thereof. I'm a DPT like one of the previous posters and we are usually all about getting the patient back to pre-surgery activities ..... watch, you'll get the most conservative, by the book, law suit phobic dweeb in the profession. Wait, my fingers are crossed so your good :friends:

 

golow

[dowgold]

hi, saw your post. You should consider doing it as early as possible and not wait. Waiting will have develop arthritis rather quickly. Just leting you know...

[Mike_C]

I tore my right lateral meniscus my freshman year of High School playing backyard football, I had it fixed in 2003. Of course, my freshman year of High School was in 1975...... I limped around for almost 30 years with a sore and slightly swollen knee until it finally locked up and I had no choice but to have it scoped and have the torn part taken out. I wish I had done it earlier, as it has felt much better since, and I have had better range of motion. It didn't seem to really bother my golf much at all, but I could see where a left knee would cause much more problems. I had mine done in November of that year after the golf season (I was living in Michigan at the time), but I was back to working out pretty vigorously after about 3 months. I probably could have played golf sooner.

 

Unfortunately now, the medial side of my right knee started to bother me a few weeks ago just sort of out of the blue, I don't remember any twist or missteps or anything that could have caused it. Maybe I twisted it funny slightly when I was out walking my dogs.....

 

 

I went to a knee specialist at Duke sports medicine here in Durham this week and he says there is a chance that that I have now slightly torn the meniscus on this side of my knee. I have been having trouble walking and straightening it, but again, it does not hurt at all to swing a golf club.

 

I'm going in for an MRI on Monday...... :(

[jkumpire]

Hello Men, and Ladies,

 

Just to update you, I had what my Orthopedic termed a moderate "flapper" in my left knee, which got scoped on 6/23.

 

I have been working rehab very hard the past week since therapy started. Stephan, I started therapy with 111 deg, and at my last round at the therapist, I was at 120. Adam_mac, I am at a highly recommended rehab center with OCS people there. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

When I saw the surgeon for my first post-op I asked him when I could start officiating again. He said "you are done for the summer." Question #2: "When can I play golf again?" His answer: "Depends, maybe in 2 weeks as long as you ride." That was on 6/29.

 

Let's just say the intensity of the rehab went up a notch on hearing that! Not that it wasn't high before, I take my officiating very seriously. I admit I took a couple of swings the other day, and the knee felt good, but no ball was involved, and that's all I am doing until the PT okay's it.

 

Thanks for all the posts folks, and if you have a bad knee, get to your doctor's office pronto.

[dwboston]

Hello Men, and Ladies,

 

Just to update you, I had what my Orthopedic termed a moderate "flapper" in my left knee, which got scoped on 6/23.

 

I have been working rehab very hard the past week since therapy started. Stephan, I started therapy with 111 deg, and at my last round at the therapist, I was at 120. Adam_mac, I am at a highly recommended rehab center with OCS people there. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

When I saw the surgeon for my first post-op I asked him when I could start officiating again. He said "you are done for the summer." Question #2: "When can I play golf again?" His answer: "Depends, maybe in 2 weeks as long as you ride." That was on 6/29.

 

Let's just say the intensity of the rehab went up a notch on hearing that! Not that it wasn't high before, I take my officiating very seriously. I admit I took a couple of swings the other day, and the knee felt good, but no ball was involved, and that's all I am doing until the PT okay's it.

 

Thanks for all the posts folks, and if you have a bad knee, get to your doctor's office pronto.

 

I had my right knee scoped on 6/24 for a medial meniscus tear (they cut out the flap and cleaned it up - no repair). They gave me crutches to use for the first three days but the doc told me I could put as much weight on it as I felt I could so I didn't use the crutches at all, but kept it wrapped, iced and elevated for the first three days. I went in for my post-op visit at 1 week and had nearly full range of motion already, and was told I could start hitting balls this weekend and play next weekend as long as I rode. I went to the range today and hit the first 15 balls completely fat :lol: but was hitting the ball pretty normally by the end.

 

I was bummed when I hurt my knee in early May - it was pretty painful the first week or two, but the pain got better and I was able to play a few times before the surgery. I'm glad I had it done now rather than wait for the fall - it really has felt a little better each day, and I'm not even two weeks out from the surgery at this point. The only discomfort I have now is walking up stairs. I highly recommend the neoprene knee brace with the cut out for the knee cap and the velcro straps above and below the knee - it helped me to be able to play before the surgery and gives me a little added peace of mind right now.

 

Good luck with your recovery.

[jkumpire]

Being a fellow left-hander, your adivce sounds great to me. I will see what the therapist says tomorrow.

[BigLeftyinAZ]

Wow,I feel you are trying to push swinging way too soon.What's the rush? I've only made 20 or so swings in the last week or so.It feels like it's almost ready,but no need to push it.I can tell I'm not getting full weight on right leg at impact and it does feel a touch tender after 6 swings,but that goes away in 5 mins or so.

 

Why do many feel they need to rush back to the course?I'm glad to have my surgery now and know my knee will be stronger then it has been in many years thanks to the PT.

Tomorrow makes it 9 weeks after surgery and feeling pretty good,Just not perfect.

[wolfpackblack]

I was out 10 weeks from any "athletic" knee movements, but I wasn't playing golf then. I had a friend who was scoped last year, and he was able putt after 7 days and short game practice after 3 weeks. Definitely ask your physician though.

[stekoppite]

Hi folks,

 

I tore a medial meniscus (cartilage) in my left knee, and it got too painful, so I got if fixed on 6/23. How long can reasonably expect to be unable to play golf? I am a lefty, so I know there is a little more recovery time because of the damage.

 

I am going crazy already, no Baseball, no running, no lifting, no golf. I am doing my assigned rehab stuff already, but real rehab won't start until next week at least. I just got done with Winter, now it is back for me.

 

It's funny, but I played my best round of a horrible season on the day I had the surgery, since I was the last guy on the surgery schedule. If I had not doubled the last two holes.....

 

Any ideas or experience in how long it takes to get on the course again? Thanks!

 

i also had a knee arthroscopy for medial meniscal tear repair, in mid march (friday the 13th to be exact!!!). was back on the golf course in 4 weeks (10th april), so as long as everyting has gone ok, you should be back in 4weeks.

 

one thing i would recommend, with hindsight, is don't carry your bag for the 1st round or 2. use a trolley. i carried straight off, and the knee was quite achy afterwards, though i do play a track that is a little hilly in places.

 

good luck in your recovery, jk.

 

P.s i should add that it depends which knee it is, in relation to whether you're a right- or left-handed golfer. i'm a righty, and it was my right knee, so it wasn't taking the full brunt of the downswing and followthrough.

 

if you're a righty, and it's your left knee, it might be prudent to give it another 2 or 3 weeks. i know you don't want to hear this, but the long term risks of re-injuring will be greatly reduced if you allow the meniscus and surrounding tissues to heal properly before putting it under the full strain of a full-blown golf swing.

 

once again, good luck.

[dwboston]

Wow,I feel you are trying to push swinging way too soon.What's the rush? I've only made 20 or so swings in the last week or so.It feels like it's almost ready,but no need to push it.I can tell I'm not getting full weight on right leg at impact and it does feel a touch tender after 6 swings,but that goes away in 5 mins or so.

 

Why do many feel they need to rush back to the course?I'm glad to have my surgery now and know my knee will be stronger then it has been in many years thanks to the PT.

Tomorrow makes it 9 weeks after surgery and feeling pretty good,Just not perfect.

 

Not sure if you're referring to me here or not, but my doctor initially told me 2-4 weeks before getting back to full activity. The 2-4 week estimate is right in line with all of the research I did for the procedure I had. I had full range of motion at my 1 week check-up and am walking without pain. I figured I would wait a couple of weeks to hit balls but he said it was OK so I tested it out. My only issue right now is soreness walking upstairs, but it gets better every day.

 

12 weeks seems like a really long time. Did you have a repair or a meniscectomy? A repair requires much more recovery time than removing the torn piece via the arthroscope. Either way, everyone is different and should listen to what the doctor recommends.

[BigLeftyinAZ]

Wow,I feel you are trying to push swinging way too soon.What's the rush? I've only made 20 or so swings in the last week or so.It feels like it's almost ready,but no need to push it.I can tell I'm not getting full weight on right leg at impact and it does feel a touch tender after 6 swings,but that goes away in 5 mins or so.

 

Why do many feel they need to rush back to the course?I'm glad to have my surgery now and know my knee will be stronger then it has been in many years thanks to the PT.

Tomorrow makes it 9 weeks after surgery and feeling pretty good,Just not perfect.

 

Not sure if you're referring to me here or not, but my doctor initially told me 2-4 weeks before getting back to full activity. The 2-4 week estimate is right in line with all of the research I did for the procedure I had. I had full range of motion at my 1 week check-up and am walking without pain. I figured I would wait a couple of weeks to hit balls but he said it was OK so I tested it out. My only issue right now is soreness walking upstairs, but it gets better every day.

 

12 weeks seems like a really long time. Did you have a repair or a meniscectomy? A repair requires much more recovery time than removing the torn piece via the arthroscope. Either way, everyone is different and should listen to what the doctor recommends.

 

Btw,Mine is 9 weeks not 12. No I wasn't singling you out.Was just wondering why some want to rush back?Trust me I want to be back playing too.Just not going to risk any injuries since I never want to do that again.

 

Mine was a repair of the meniscal tear repair plus he didn't find what he wanted and had to make another hole on the lower inside part of the knee to look in the back of the knee and found a the loose body matter that was causing the locking of the knee.

 

Maybe I'm told to take my time cause my knee is the loading one on the downswing?Have made full swings,but only 10 at a time and feel alittle tenderness afterwards.Plus I can tell I'm not trusting the knee and hanging back a touch.No need to ingrain a bad habit that I've never had.

[dwboston]

Wow,I feel you are trying to push swinging way too soon.What's the rush? I've only made 20 or so swings in the last week or so.It feels like it's almost ready,but no need to push it.I can tell I'm not getting full weight on right leg at impact and it does feel a touch tender after 6 swings,but that goes away in 5 mins or so.

 

Why do many feel they need to rush back to the course?I'm glad to have my surgery now and know my knee will be stronger then it has been in many years thanks to the PT.

Tomorrow makes it 9 weeks after surgery and feeling pretty good,Just not perfect.

 

Not sure if you're referring to me here or not, but my doctor initially told me 2-4 weeks before getting back to full activity. The 2-4 week estimate is right in line with all of the research I did for the procedure I had. I had full range of motion at my 1 week check-up and am walking without pain. I figured I would wait a couple of weeks to hit balls but he said it was OK so I tested it out. My only issue right now is soreness walking upstairs, but it gets better every day.

 

12 weeks seems like a really long time. Did you have a repair or a meniscectomy? A repair requires much more recovery time than removing the torn piece via the arthroscope. Either way, everyone is different and should listen to what the doctor recommends.

 

Btw,Mine is 9 weeks not 12. No I wasn't singling you out.Was just wondering why some want to rush back?Trust me I want to be back playing too.Just not going to risk any injuries since I never want to do that again.

 

Mine was a repair of the meniscal tear repair plus he didn't find what he wanted and had to make another hole on the lower inside part of the knee to look in the back of the knee and found a the loose body matter that was causing the locking of the knee.

 

Maybe I'm told to take my time cause my knee is the loading one on the downswing?Have made full swings,but only 10 at a time and feel alittle tenderness afterwards.Plus I can tell I'm not trusting the knee and hanging back a touch.No need to ingrain a bad habit that I've never had.

 

No worries. There is more recovery time associated with a meniscus repair vs. removing the torn piece of the meniscus. My tear wasn't in a spot that was conducive to repairing it.

 

I hadn't even thought of hitting balls until the doc mentioned it would be OK - I'm conscious not to overdo it and I keep icing it and elevating it at home. It's amazing how much it has improved over the past few days. The weather here has been lousy so I haven't felt like I missed anything while I couldn't play.

 

Good luck to you with your recovery.

[dowgold]

Ok Guys,

 

A quick update. As stated previously, I am a lefty and I got my left knee scope on 6/8/09. This past weekend, I went to the range with my nephew and hit some small wedges on Saturday. Sunday I hit 9 irons and both days without any pain in my knee... Just shy of 4 weeks. Granted I was not powering the ball, but I was hitting my shots as far as I would under normal conditions.

 

But once again, the therapy is the key. I have been going to therapy twice a week and to the gym every days. Hope this help.

[jkumpire]

Just thought you might be interested....

 

I am at the point of my recovery that my therapist is letting me hit balls again. He told me that there have been some recent work done on returning to playing golf after a 'scope. Right now to start getting back into it, it is just putting and chipping, when there is no pain, it is onto more swings.

 

I am not allowed to start until next Monday, but there are steps that people should go through before playing again. I will pass more on as I hear about it.

 

I can't wait, three days a week of therapy and 5-8 days in the gym doing therapy is getting real stale at this point...

[Schilly]

I just found out that I also have a ear in my medial Meniscus, but due to having Kaiser insurance I have no clue how severe until I get to see the Ortopedic Surgeon on AUgust 13th.... Good to see many others have had similar issues. Bow knowing my insurance plan I expect to get into recovery phase sometime this fall.

[Double Gee]

ok - I have been though the arthroscope procedure several times and as my quads were in great shape i was back playing golf in 3 weeks.

 

18 months ago I had complete knee replacement wich left me on crutches , then a walking stick for 5 or 6 weeks - the 7th week I had a few very gentle shots half swing, on the range. I played 9 holes a week after that andthen a week or ten days later I played 18.

 

As for asking your specialist - let me tell you, you can have 5 of them in a room and they will ALL give you conflicting advice!

 

Rehab will be different from patient to patient, depending on muscle strength, any problems post op .. I know this, because i am now working in the Rehab field with an osteopath.

 

My surgeon for the full knee replacemnt was also a golfer and his thoughts IMO were more important than any other surgeon as he plays the game.

 

He was more thasn happy for me to be hitting a few gentle shots in the 8th week and go gently from there - also, building the quads is so so so important.

[dwboston]

I'm now 8 weeks out from the meniscectomy on my right knee. I just finished my physical therapy sessions this past weekend and I'd say the knee is probably about 95% relative to before the injury. I can play without a brace and with no discomfort and I'm back to working out again with no pain. It sucked to miss a month and a half of the golf season right in the middle of the summer but in the end it was worth it. Hope everyone else is having a good experience from their procedures. This was a great thread.

[M4RSH]

Did anybody who had surgery find once they could play have trouble in squating down to place the ball and to read greens and more so in getting back up again? I go to the gym cycling, rowing, treadmill, lifting weights with legs and reverse way as well.

I've had both knees done this year so I've missed the whole season over here. Left one was done end of April right one done 14th July. I dont have an issue in swinging just crouching down. I hate the numbness beneath the knee caps as well and when i do a number of squats i get a pulling sensation on top of both knee caps. Anyone else?

[dwboston]

[quote name='M4RSH' post='1918274' date='Aug 27 2009, 06:40 PM']Did anybody who had surgery find once they could play have trouble in squating down to place the ball and to read greens and more so in getting back up again? I go to the gym cycling, rowing, treadmill, lifting weights with legs and reverse way as well.

I've had both knees done this year so I've missed the whole season over here. Left one was done end of April right one done 14th July. I dont have an issue in swinging just crouching down. I hate the numbness beneath the knee caps as well and when i do a number of squats i get a pulling sensation on top of both knee caps. Anyone else?[/quote]

I get some discomfort when I squat all the way down as well. I assume it will get better over time and as my quads get stronger.