Discussion: Meniscus Tear - A common O injury?

Last week I had a MRI on my left knee and it revealed I had an extensive tear in the medial meniscus and a bone bruise. Since posting this on my AP log I've received many emails (and some posts) telling me of others that have had this same injury in orienteering which begs the question how common is this injury in orienteering? Rob W told me last year that many Aussies (himself included) have had torn medial meniscus injuries. Is the injury a common orienteering injury? Is it becoming more common? I'm interested what others think and if anyone knows if this has been discussed on other orienteering web sites recently.

Yup, sign me up for the torn medial meniscus club. But I'm relatively new to O and running, so it may be unconnected. The severe knee pain began on Day 4 of a kayaking trip, and I felt a strange "pop" while mountain biking around the same time. So mine is a multi-sport medial meniscus (MMM!).

I'm not sure how I got this. It started up about two years ago with no immediate associated injury. Gradually got worse, and I'm getting it scoped next week. The MRI revealed a "complex tear" on the posterior horn of the medial meniscus.

I had this in 2001 but I am unsure whether this was from oing or from footy.

I have some video footage of the operation. Should I put this on utube? Oh and the surgeon was the ex- Swedish team doctor for OL.

I dont know that its any more common nowadays, its possible that it is just diagnosed better now with better access to MRI's and improvements in keyhole surgery making it very simple to fix. Maybe 10-15 yrs ago a lot of people would have had to stop competing with an injury like this.

I had keyhole surgery for this 10 years ago, so I think its more like 15-25 years.

Had it in 1998. Got surgery. Was running in 4 months.

I had arthroscopic surgery for this in February 2002. The problem had probably been in the works for some time but I tripped and fell hard while trail running in Oct 2001 and then experienced a sharp pain in the same knee at the end of a Day 1 race in PA the next month. I went from a strong finish to needing help just to get back to the car. Stupidly I walked my course slowly the next day, which just made things worse. The operation helped a lot but I reinjured the knee xc skiing in 2005 when I hit a stone in the trail and hyperextended the knee. Looking back I think my meniscus problem was the result of pronation and wearing my O shoes long past the time they should have been replaced.

I had this 11 - 12 years ago. Prior to that I had orienteered for about 10 years, and had run pretty seriously for about 10 years before that, but what tore the meniscus was one day of a home improvement project where I was crouching (knees bent tightly, weight on feet) for many hours. Got that "scoped" and I eventually continued orienteering, but nothing has been quite the same since - asymmetries lead to injuries, and with less meniscus to pad things I get pain in that area pretty often. Post-op, do a lot of rehab strengthening before trying to run again.

Arthoscopic knee surgery is pushing 20 years old. I waited just long enough before mangling ligament in right knee (badminton) (about 1989, pushing 40 years old - sign of aging?) and tore cartilage 2 years later in left knee (basketball). Home improvement? 8 sheets of drywall shifting from vertical to horizontal onto my legs may have led to 2nd injury.

Both times, diagnosis was very painful: inject dye; contort knee; X-rays; fuzzy and misread both times. First surgeon I visited preferred opening me up (2-3 months recovery), but I lucked into Dr. Mannis (STL Cardinals football surgeon) who described the wonders of AS.

Both surgeries (remove ligament; trim cartilage) went fine, wore light-weight knee braces for sports, but recovery was slow and machines didn't help much. Then I discovered orienteering. The braces chafed too much - soon removed both (Forrest Gump?). When I jumped over logs and creeks, I was careful to land on both feet, knees bent. 16 years later - nearly symptom free. If I play racquetball or tennis, knee will swell and tighten a bit. Road races and orienteering have no effect (but my log will tell you I've never done high mileage).

Yes, I've been lucky!

I had arthoscopic right knee meniscus surgery 4 years ago (at 19). I practice orienteering since 12 years now, but had just finished doing competitive cycling at the time (4 year stop in orienteering from 16 to 19). I think the problem arised because of overcharging in training. I also have overpronating feet, so without aligned movement both internal meniscus suffered. at the beginning, when I came back to o-ing I had pain after having done an effort (o-race especially). the knee blocked then after a bad move in playing baseball at school. the same day of the surgery I could walk. after one week could run (of course paying a bit attention not to overcharge). part of the meniscus was removed (it was broken).
I think orienteering wasn't the cause. of course hurting trees,rocks or whatever can cause injuries. however paying attention and warming junctures before the race should lower the risks very much.
sorry for the english, it's not my mothertongue :)