Old sports injury = torn meniscus surgery. now, i'm in pain again. is there any solution other than total knee replacement? i had surgery for a torn meniscus about 8 years ago and a significant amount of shredded cartilage was removed. in recent months, e

No : No need to go jumping to conclusions without first having the proper information . . . Total knee replacement isn't a procedure that is typically discussed on the front-end of knee pain complaints. Depending on your age, activity level, weight and x-rays, there are multiple treatment modalities that are typically undertaken before a total knee replacement is considered. First thing you need to do is see your orthopedic surgeon or primary care physician for history & physical, examination and x-rays. From there, you'll have the information necessary to determine degree of degenerative changes in the knee joint. An MRI may, or may not be ordered as well. Once you have a diagnosis, appropriate treatment will be ordered by your physician. Total knee replacement is usually the very last choice, once all conservative measures have been exhausted.

Pain meds, injection: The last treatment before knee replacement includes injections of cortisone or lubricants (synvisc, supartz, (hyaluronic acid) etc). Weight loss, stretching and muscle strengthening help also. Anti-inflammatory meds and other pain meds also block the pain. Unfortunately, all of these are temporary. For some young patients, osteotomy (realignment of the limb) or partial knee replacement may be indicated.

Yes: You don't say whether or not there are arthritic changes. Assuming yes, i would try and do anything to avoid total knee including, antiinflammatories, cortisone, weight loss , therapy and strengthening, bracing, hyaluronic acid injections.