Meniscus injury forces changes to my Yoga Practice

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

I’ve gained great benefit; spiritual, mental, physical from my 3 years of Yoga practice. Found Yoga later than many at age 57, but it has become a central element. 90% of my practice to date has been in an Ashtanga studio setting.

While doing a series of jumping jacks one day last month, a routine aerobic practice of mine, I felt a slight sensation of pain and something not quite right in my right knee. I laid off my Yoga practice and other exercise in hopes that the knee would get better. There’s been no swelling or outward sign, but some pain and some sense if instability. It has not improved. I finally have gone to see a non-surgical orthopedic specialist, got an MRI, and discover that I have a small undersurface, inner edge tear of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus in my right knee. That seems to be the culprit.

From what I’ve read, healing of the meniscus is not so promising. And, it seems that whatever course I take (surgical or not), my days of Eka Pada Rajakapotasana, Virasana and other poses involving much pressure to the knee are over. I’m sure that there is a silver lining to this cloud, and that my Yoga practice will take a turn to accommodate these circumstances, but for the moment it’s impeded and not moving at all. I’m looking for any insight into recovery from this sort of torn meniscus, and to how others may work around this sort of injury in their practice.

Blessings.

#2

Patience my friend. I tore my meniscus almost exactly 2 years ago. It took me almost a full year of modified practice and swimming therapy to get where I am now able to do my full practice.

You WILL need to adjust for a long time but it is possible to heal. I chose not to do surgery as my tear was an outer edge tear. If my knee ever locks up I will have no choice, but for now all is well.

I also added some MSM and honey and lemon drink to my diet. The theory behind those being that the lemon helps to remove toxins, impurities etc, the honey brings healing and the MSM helps with the elemental sulfur needed in joint repair.

Good luck!

#3

As a surgeon who has performed quite a few knee arthroscopies for meniscus injuries, I agree with Alix in what he says.

If it is JUST a Meniscus injury (no patelo-femoral nor femoro-tibial disease), your healing will be slow, but you will go back to almost 100% with time. Surgery is not a must, unless symptoms (pain) become the problem.

I have to add, surgery is not traumatic at all in case you decide to go that way. With post-surgical therapy, recuperation is as well near 100%

Downside of a meniscus injury: It increases and accelerates articular arthrosis in most patients, so even though it doesn’t hurt, “saving some knee” by avoiding exreme positions might be something to consider

#4

[QUOTE=Xamilo;36432]Downside of a meniscus injury: It increases and accelerates articular arthrosis in most patients, so even though it doesn’t hurt, “saving some knee” by avoiding exreme positions might be something to consider[/QUOTE]

I have this same probable injury (no arthroscopy yet 1.5 years out, so I can’t be sure). I just started yoga using a dvd and immediately realised that poses like virasana are a danger area.

Can I check if in this instance more blankets under the bottom are the go?

And also, regarding the above statement by Xamilo, I wonder if the increase and acceleration of articular arthrosis situation can be avoided by surgery?

Thanks for any help!

#5

I had inner knee pain and when it was thought to be a meniscus tear I was also told no extreme knee bending (even to modify child’s pose) and to strengthen the quads. Doing strong quad exercise really made a huge difference for me. I can live without virasana.

#6

Thank you for your help Missi. I take it you did not have surgery?

#7

No. The pain went mostly away and I regained ROM gently in yoga too. I have to keep at it though to keep it at bay, yoga only does not seem to be enough. Of course by the time I had an MRI my knee was so much better, results only showed wear on the cartilage but the advice was still the same - strength work on the quad and avoid strain.

#8

Hmmn, interesting - sounds like some healing of the tear did take place. Thank you very much for posting!