Weight training with torn meniscus

[Salted_Peanut]

Where would you go for advice on weight training with a torn meniscus? My physio advised continuing weightlifting to help with a meniscus tear, but PH has some experienced lifters who may have tips.

The NHS guidance focuses on sedentary people starting training, not people who already train seriously.

[Bluevanman]

I've had 3 different injuries on the same knee within 18 months and finally been diagnosed with arthritis and the NHS physio I saw advised a combination of mobility exercises like yoga and muscle strengthening and NO impact exercise like jumping or running.
I was already doing the former anyway before the injuries but I've realised slow n steady is the way to go at my age (62). I do squats and deadlifts every 4 days now and stretching/yoga on alternate days with some light walking,upto about 3 miles at a time.
So far I'm recovering well

[popeyewhite]

If you know your way around a gym then any basic strengthening exercise for quads/hamstrings should help. Light, high reps to start obvs. Leg extensions, seated leg press, ham curl and so on.

[The_Doc]

Salted_Peanut said:

Where would you go for advice on weight training with a torn meniscus? My physio advised continuing weightlifting to help with a meniscus tear, but PH has some experienced lifters who may have tips.

The NHS guidance focuses on sedentary people starting training, not people who already train seriously.

The factors are, your age, age of tear, degerate or fresh, lateral or medial and location.
So, you need someone who knows about knees to help you with a full diagnosis.
And despite operating on thousands of meniscii, I cannot help you over the Internet.

We repair some meniscii and trim some others.
Lots of meniscal tears cause no symptoms

[Salted_Peanut]

The_Doc said:

you need someone who knows about knees to help you with a full diagnosis.

That's good advice, thanks.

The_Doc said:

We repair some meniscii and trim some others.

Is Arthrosamid a treatment option that you consider, too? It looks increasingly popular, yet I only spotted one peer-reviewed study (on AO, not torn menisci).

[The_Doc]

The NHS doesn't allow or pay for Arthrosamid because the evidence that it works isn't there. That's our taxes.

Say no more.

Its expensive in private practice and it glitters.

[Salted_Peanut]

The_Doc said:

Its expensive in private practice and it glitters.

I have no idea what you mean. Don’t you trust the Daily Mail?
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1463250...

The_Doc said:

The NHS doesn't allow or pay for Arthrosamid because the evidence that it works isn't there.

Joking aside, there are a few trials on PubMed. While there aren’t enough for a meta-analysis, the trial results are positive, so it appears promising (except for the price!).
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11064315/

The NHS can be behind the times; for example, it takes a couple of years to publish a trial, and a NICE appraisal takes aeons.

[The_Doc]

Salted_Peanut said:

Joking aside, there are a few trials on PubMed. While there aren’t enough for a meta-analysis, the trial results are positive, so it appears promising (except for the price!).
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11064315/

The NHS can be behind the times; for example, it takes a couple of years to publish a trial, and a NICE appraisal takes aeons.

That trial you've quoted was sponsored by the company that make Arthrosamid. It is very low evidence quality sadly. Promising isnt the word I'd use.

I'm hopeful. An injectable for knee pain would make a trillion dollars profit. Yes I'm serious a trillion. It would find a use in most of the population of the planet.