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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Does The Following MRI Report Of The Knee Suggest?

I am 60 years old and I had knee replacement on my right knee on 09/30/2014. While recovering from the k-replacement I was walking up my stairs and felt this awful pain and a pop in my left knee. My doctor did an MRI and said that I have a torn miniiscus along with osteo arthritis and that I need surgery. I am still having a lot of pain in my k-replacement leg and I have heard that most people that have miniiscus surgery need knee replacement within a year ago. If this is true then I don t think I should have 2 surgeries in a year. What is your opinion?
Mon, 19 Dec 2022
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  Anonymous's Response
's  Response
Hi,

The MRI report suggests that you have a traumatic lesion of the meniscus in your left knee as well as arthritis (your knee has less cartilage than when you were young).

1) You ask if meniscus surgery leads to knee replacement. This is absolutely not always the case. While meniscus tears and surgery can lead to more osteoarthritis, it is not the same as a torn meniscus will lead to having a knee replacement - absolutely not. Many people can live long lives after a meniscus tear with no problems at all.

2) Surgery or not. Meniscus tears are troublesome bunch, they can be tricky or they can heal with no further problems. If you were my patient, I would advice you to wait at least 6 months in order to evaluate if the meniscus damage is healing or not - and only after that would I advice considering surgery.

You can never undo surgery. In this regard, 6 months is a short time frame.

Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Maria Riechel-Sarup, General & Family Physician
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What Does The Following MRI Report Of The Knee Suggest?

Hi, The MRI report suggests that you have a traumatic lesion of the meniscus in your left knee as well as arthritis (your knee has less cartilage than when you were young). 1) You ask if meniscus surgery leads to knee replacement. This is absolutely not always the case. While meniscus tears and surgery can lead to more osteoarthritis, it is not the same as a torn meniscus will lead to having a knee replacement - absolutely not. Many people can live long lives after a meniscus tear with no problems at all. 2) Surgery or not. Meniscus tears are troublesome bunch, they can be tricky or they can heal with no further problems. If you were my patient, I would advice you to wait at least 6 months in order to evaluate if the meniscus damage is healing or not - and only after that would I advice considering surgery. You can never undo surgery. In this regard, 6 months is a short time frame. Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Maria Riechel-Sarup, General & Family Physician