prolonged swelling after menisecomy

[soccerballa]

I had a meniscus tear in my knee had a menisctomy on June 7th 2009.  i have been through therapy back into strength training so i could get back out on the soccer field. Its coming up on 5 months and i still cannot play.  if i run it swells .  The surgeon takes me off any activity and back on celebrex to reduce the swelling.  Why is it taking so long ? I was told i would be playin soccer again in 8 weeks at the longest.  Anyone else have  this experience? does it ever get better?

[soccerballa]

Thank you, after surgery I went right to physical therapy.  Then after 8 weeks, the surgeon sent me to strength training to build back up for soccer. To see how my knee reacted to cutting and shifting.  The real swelling begun then.  So the surgeon took me off all activity and had me rest for 2 weeks on celebrex.  Swelling went down (of course) and then he said resume activity slowly.  Swelling returned.  Now he tells me that I have to rest again for another 6 weeks and Im back on celebrex.  Does rest really make it heal? Will it ever get better?  I am really frustrated and want to get back out on the field. it has been 5 monthes for a procedure that was suppose to take 8 weeks to be healed.  Thank you for your help!  Btw, I was told by being 16, I would heal quickly!!

[Dr Vinod]

Hello,

The pain is due to the inflammation and also due to the stiffness due to rest after surgery.

Continue physiotherapy and get your knees checked by the operating surgeon. If everything is fine you would slowly recover.

If required take a second opinion.

Take care!