Knee Rehab After Meniscus Surgery
In February, I had surgery on my knee to snip off the torn part of my meniscus. I am still doing rehab on my own, but the part behind my knee and halfway down my calf stays so tight and sore. Any suggestions to get it back to normal? I do stretches and fascia massage, keep moving as much as possible but, seriously, after 5 minutes in bed it's so sore and stiff I struggle to sleep. Heat/ice/massage/stretch - what else can I try? I realize it takes time, but this is very bothersome.
America
05/20/2025
Gertjr, have you tried magnesium oil, or try a castor oil wrap with applied heat. I use infrared (red light therapy) on my painful knees, it helps a bit.
Madison
07/03/2025
★★☆☆☆
I had partial meniscectomey surgery mid-February. I still have swelling and off-and-on pain, not always in the same place. I was told to continue the PT exercises on my own when they cut me loose, and I have done them daily since. Any idea when I'll be whole again? The stiffness from swelling and then the random pain are so annoying and I don't trust my knee to not give out. At what point do I go back to the dr about it? I've been told it can take a long time, but how long is too long? I'm 67, female and in good general health.
Tennessee
07/04/2025
Dear Gertjr,
I think you are doing great - keeping up with your home PT (essential! ) and I know you take care of yourself. I think after surgery it can take a long time for everything to settle down, even up to a year.
Some things to try for swelling and stiffness would be apple cider vinegar or castor oil wraps overnight. Hot/cold therapy (surprisingly effective! - alternate cool and warm applications, 1 minute each, starting and ending with cool. Use two bowls of water and two clothes.)
Also, check out Youtube videos for strengthening feet and hips. The stronger feet, legs and hips are, the less stress there will be on the knees.
~Mama to Many~
Madison, AL
10/24/2025
so, I've done everything on earth clinic for arthritis pain and nada, nothing helps. I've been doing the advil lotion, melatonin lotion, borax lotion and in water, mag oil, gin raisins, acv, tens pads, stoppain - nothing works. I went to the dr and got a hyaluronic acid injection yesterday, but still in terrible pain. I can hardly walk, the pain goes right down my inner shin. I'd prefer no new knee, but I've got to have some relief. Anything else to try?
California
10/24/2025
Hi GertJr,
Did you try the remedies on your lower back in case the pain is originating there? Arthritis of the knee would have responded to the remedies you mentioned. Since it did not, you should consider that it may be caused by a nerve issue originating at your lower back/spine or elsewhere.
Icing your lower back from the bottom of the tail bone up about 10 inches can be done to quickly tell you if the problem is originating there.
You said, ' the pain goes right down my inner shin.', that could be because it is a nerve issue that originates at the lower back. Try icing your lower back to see if it offers any relief. You have to eliminate any possibilities. After icing, apply the previously mentioned remedies to your lower back.
Art
New york
10/25/2025
Hello GertJr,
i pray all of your pain has gone away, nevertheless; let me ask, are you a coffee or caffeine drinker? The point is that it could be something that you eat or drink that makes the pain so bad.
I had always been a tea drinker, but somewhere in my late forties or early fifties. I came down with something and could not hold any food on my stomach for days. it came to me to drink black coffee. I did and the vomiting stopped. But I realized, I enjoyed the coffee more than the tea.
After I became a coffee drinker I started having problems with knee pain and leg cramps. which was relieved when I did a 3 day fast. I also had less pain when I started taking potassium and magnesium supplements. I now also rub in castor oil when I feel that rain is on the way.
I still let go the coffee some weeks, and when I do the walking is much easier. so, check if there is a food that makes your pain worse.
HisJewel
Boston
10/25/2025
Hi GertJr – I'm so sorry you're having pain and trouble. I've had knee issues since I was little (diagnosed with arthritis when I was 11). I also had meniscus snip surgery 15 years ago (and some of the arthritis roto-rootered out as the doc said) and it was the best thing I ever did. I didn't do PT until almost a year later, big mistake on my part waiting so long, but boy did it make all the difference in the long run.
If I was still having issues like you're having I'd get to a NEW/DIFFERENT ortho doc soonest and have them start from scratch. Maybe they didn't get all of the tear during the initial operation or maybe you have another section that's torn? For such a little piece, a meniscus causes SO MUCH pain. My other knee is due for surgery soon, can't straighten my leg and I'm the same as you - I can barely move in the morning, takes me several minutes to get out of bed. Can't wait to get it fixed.
Good luck, I hope you find relief very soon.
Thailand
10/25/2025
Hi Gert ..... Anything you try will take time, I try one thing (or a combination of 2 at most) at a time .
The one thing I do not see that you used is DMSO . Read the recent articles by The Midwestern Doctor on Substack . It has been a "miracle" for some.
Madison, AL
10/25/2025
I totally forgot about that. Will try and get back to you.
Madison, AL
10/26/2025
I believe I said that I use dmso when applying the various lotions, melatonin, borax and melatonin. And I've tried everything suggested, even the ice after Art reminded me. Nothing has worked. I got voltaren and started taking tylenol & aleve together (half the recommended dose because I don't like taking pharmaceuticals). The pain is now manageable, but I can sure tell when it wears off. I also got the hyaluronic gel shot at the dr's office, but I can't tell if it's doing anything yet or not. They said it can take 3 weeks to settle in, so we'll see.
California
10/26/2025
Hi GertJr,
You have eliminated two possibilities, now you will have to try and eliminate other possible causes of which there can be many.
The next easiest test will be to apply ice and topicals to the full hip area of the affected side to see if there is any pressure on the nerve there causing referred pain at the knee and inner shin.
Other considerations are that the initial surgery did not fully repair the torn meniscus, a condition called pes anserine, medial retinacular plica syndrome and patellar tendonitis.
This last group will require a new scan to determine if any are applicable.
Art
California
10/26/2025
Hi again, GertJr,
I forgot to mention that sciatic nerve damage can also cause similar pain to the knee and inner shin.
Art
