Partial Meniscectomy Success stories
Hi everyone. I am a 33 yo male and about three years ago I had a partial medial meniscectomy. I was hoping to hear from younger people who’ve had the procedure and how you’re feeling years later.
My initial rehab went about as well as it could have. Had trouble with fluid retention, but did PT for around three months and gradually returned to daily life, light running, and the gym when I could. Over time, though, I started noticing weakness in the joint. I didn’t think too much of it at first because I assumed it would just take time to feel “normal” again.
A few months ago, I began noticing significant atrophy in my operated leg, along with increasing clicking in the knee. Since then, I’ve realized I’ve also developed a leg-length discrepancy from compensation patterns and gait changes. I was prescribed another round of PT to address the muscle imbalances that have developed.
Honestly, I’ve been having a hard time coming to terms with this new normal and have been spiraling a bit about my long-term mobility and the possibility that a total knee replacement could eventually be in my future. I also feel somewhat deceived by my surgeon. The procedure was presented as relatively quick and straightforward, and I don’t think I fully understood the long-term realities and potential consequences that could come with it.
At this point, I’m trying to figure out the best next step for recovery, but I’ve almost felt paralyzed making decisions because the first procedure led to so many outcomes I wasn’t expecting. I’d really appreciate hearing any long-term partial meniscectomy success stories, especially from younger people, and how you’re doing years later.
Right now, it feels like one path leads toward OA and chronic pain, while the other could involve more corrective surgery. Any thoughts, experiences, or advice would be greatly appreciated.