Anyone ever had a torn meniscus? If so, did you do surgery or let it heal on it's own? What was your experience?

Yes, I have had a torn meniscus.  My right knee.  I had no idea what was wrong -- but suddenly my knee started 'giving way' and I'd nearly fall. It was very unpredictable and became dangerous being around my horses since I was unstable. I contacted an ortho doctor for an appointment and was told it was torn. He asked me when I had torn it -- I said, "I have NO idea."  I told him I was very busy with physical work at the barn, pushing muck carts, unloading hay, whatever -- that I had aches, pains and 'oops' all the time.  I decided to have surgery for a clean-up since I had a couple of scary instances loading and unloading my horses (and both are gentle and good loaders but having their person suddenly flailing and nearly falling under or onto them was a bit unnerving to them - AND ME).  The surgery was out-patient. The doctor cleaned up all the torn bits and I had to lay low for a couple of days -- had the surgery on a Friday morning and spent all weekend with it elevated and icing 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off, during waking hours -- I did exactly what the doctor told me to do. By Monday the swelling was down enough I started walking around and actually returned to work that day (and I had two flights of stairs). I worked all week and did all my barn chores (carefully).  I returned to the doctor 7 days after surgery for a check-up and he was stunned I was up and moving and getting up and down without holding onto anything -- BUT I did the elevation and icing for 48 hours exactly.  The surgery DID help. However, I still have a day now and then when my knee is weak/wobbly -- it is usually when I have been using it all day long (walking, working, pushing cart, hay, etc...) -- a very busy hard day, but I am 65 and have lots of parts that get kinda tired these days.  I started wearing a stretchy knee brace on days I know will be tough on it and I am fine. From what I understand, torn meniscus does not heal -- the pieces just float around in there reeking havoc. If I recall correctly, I was 61 when I had the surgery.  Good luck to you -- find a great ortho doctor!!

Yes, I tore my knee up the end of June, and saw my sports med dr and it was confirmed via MRI that I had torn th meniscus.  Was able to prolong surgery until this fall as I wanted to wait until the big ropings were basically over.  Had surgery November 18 and was on crutches for 3 days along with icing for several days.  Got cleared on Dec 2 to ride, that following weekend I was back on a horse and roped on both my horses.  Felt pretty good, and still doing well.  

My husband had surgery to have his cleaned up yesterday morning. He is already up and about using a cane as a precaution at home with hardly any pain. 

6 years ago I injured my knee while exercising. My orthopedist ordered an MRI and x-rays but found nothing. After a while most of the pain went away, but I can no longer make quick, lateral movement. Maybe I have a torn meniscus.

That's great! I hope he has a quick and full recovery.

I'm so glad to hear it didn't take you long to bounce back after surgery. I was thinking I'd wait and hope it got better on it's own, but now I'm thinking I'm better off getting it dealt with while it's still cold outside and not much going on. 

Thank you so much for all this helpful info! I'm really not sure how I messed my knee up either. One evening I was playing and dancing with my little girl then did some exercising and the next morning I started having issues that have gotten worse: popping, cracking when I bend/straighten, can't fully straighten, and hurts to move in a twisting way. I've got an appointment next week with what seems to be a great ortho doctor, so I'm hopeful we can get this dealt with quickly so I won't miss out on much riding time this spring. 

Thanks again!