Meniscus tear

[DavidG]

Medial Menicus tear...
What ever that means, is giving me a real pain in the knee.

Doc thinks I may need an Op.

Same leg as the one I broke. Damn maybe just run it through the bandsaw and get me a parrot. Arrrr.

[tea lady]

:oo::rolleyes: Better maker yourself one of those pirate steering wheels to go with it.:D


Hope all goes well. Did the doc tell you NOT to google it?:doh:

[switt775]

I tore one about 10 years ago. Was too busy to have an operation right away like the doc suggested, so I put it off for 4 months.

Funny thing was, 4 months later I didn't need an operation.:2tsup:

So whatever he says, don't be too quick to commit to an operation. Sometimes they heal just fine by themselves.

[Wongdai]

I think that would be Medial Meniscus. :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medial_meniscus

Hope it works out well for you.

[DavidG]

Damn - Now I can't even spull.

[corbs]

There is also some good info in here (http://biomed.brown.edu/Courses/BI108/BI108_2004_Groups/Group06/Group6project/Therapy/Injuries_M_A.htm) which isn't quite as technical as the Wiki page. Not sure how much the Doc told you but I am guessing he advised you to start on Glucosamine (also referred to as Shark Cartledge). Good luck with it though.

Medial only refers to the location in the body, medial is towards the midline, lateral is away from the midline. Medial Meniscus is the inside of the knee, lateral would be outside of knee. The attached image may show that a bit better than I can explain.

Corbs

[DavidG]

I take Glucosamine and fish oil for Arthritis

Doc has given me some anti-inflammatory to see how it goes for two to three weeks.

If no real improvement then a Mag res scan and decisions as to what to do.

He thinks it 'May' be an op job.

[Pheonix]

Fixed quite quickly with an arthroscope,had one about twenty years ago,did it kneeling down to do some plumbing,in hospital overnight,out for lunch next day:2tsup:

[DavidG]

arthroscope That is what the doc said. Could not remember the word.

[Ian Smith]

David,
My understanding of what you describe is that you have a tear in the miniscus disc in your knee. Further, my understanding is that once torn they don't heal and they get progressively more painful.

I can speak with some authority as I am sitting here with a slightly painfull right knee as result of an arthroscopy done just over a month ago.

About two years ago I had my left knee done and it's now pain free and working well and healed up completely 4-6 weeks after the op.

My attitude was, since it was only going to get worse, to get them done as soon as practical because the older you get the slower you heal, and it was never going to go away

I expect to fully mobile in week or two

My advice to you is see your GP get a referral to a specialist and get it fixed

Ian

[DJ’s Timber]

Have a good collection of cutting implements here :;

Will travel :U






Nuh seriously, hope it heals for you mate and it's not too painful for ya.

[DavidG]

Have a good collection of cutting implements here :;

No worries. I have a big band saw and a reasonable chain saw here.
Should not need to bring any tools.

Got a nice 13mm P&N drill bit so we could just drill a hole and screw in a grease nipple.
Castrol LLM should fix it.

[DavidG]

Ian, My guess is that you are correct. The only issue will be timing as school holidays start end of the week 'till end Jan.

Don't expect to do anything much before Feb so I need pain relief.

Unfortunately with the tablets I am taking, Jonny Walker relief is not possible so I will have to use Panadol.:C

[Dion N]

David,
My understanding of what you describe is that you have a tear in the miniscus disc in your knee. Further, my understanding is that once torn they don't heal and they get progressively more painful.

I can speak with some authority as I am sitting here with a slightly painfull right knee as result of an arthroscopy done just over a month ago.

About two years ago I had my left knee done and it's now pain free and working well and healed up completely 4-6 weeks after the op.

My attitude was, since it was only going to get worse, to get them done as soon as practical because the older you get the slower you heal, and it was never going to go away

I expect to fully mobile in week or two

My advice to you is see your GP get a referral to a specialist and get it fixed

Ian

The basic procedure involves cutting back the meniscus until the surface is lower than the depth of the original tear (a bit like planing timber until the tearout is gone). An arthroscopy is relatively un-intrusive (only 3 small holes). I can't even find the scars anymore. As others have said, it is pretty much a day prodcedure (or maybe one night's stay).

Post op, it would pay to see a physio, not only for some rehab, but also to check if there is an structural imbalances that caused the tear in the first place. In my case, the muscles on the outer thigh were too strong compared to those on the inner thigh, which caused the kneecap to track incorrectly, thus causing the tears. The physio was able to recommend a series of exercises to overcome this.

According to the physio, there is some conjecture over whether cartilage can "regrow" or not and the jury is out on the usefullness or otherwise of Glucosamine. If you are using it, try to get the one with Chindrotin added.

[tea lady]

Dang! Then it looks like its knees up for you. Suggest an early night on Friday. Don;t worry about us ! We'll lock up.:cool::D

[DavidG]

Dang! Then it looks like its knees up for you. Suggest an early night on Friday. Don;t worry about us ! We'll lock up.:cool::DThat is sooo nice of you to offer. I would not dream of imposing such an odorous duty on such a kind person as yourself, so I will just have to continue doing it, even though I am suffering.:roll:

[Geoff Dean]

I have a little bit of experience in this field, 6 arthroscopes, 2 reconstructions and a replacement. (that was just the left knee, had a bit done on the right one as well.):D

My avatar shows the replacement implant.

Arthroscope is generally a day procedure, takes about an hour, walk out of surgery about 2 hrs later on crutches. Generally for a couple of days.

As to taking the Glucosamine, my surgeon likened it to shuffling the deck chairs on the Titanic, pretty much a waste of time and effort, not to mention cost. His "theory" is that cartilage cannot regrow, and in my case this was proven.

As Ian said, get a referral and see a specialist.:D

[corbs]

Whilst I do agree that studies show glucosamine to have no real benefit, I know too many people who swear by the stuff. It is more than likely a placebo effect, however we had friends with an old Rotweiler (sp?) dog which had problems with its hips and couldn't walk on cold mornings. The vet suggested glucosamine and he was good to go for a few more years. If it works for you, don't ask too many questions on how it works:;.

[yjnb]

This may be a little technical, but worth a read (http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/2000/03_00/bernstein.htm) , have a look at the section on non operative options as well.

I usually refer people to this site (http://www.injuryupdate.com.au/injuries/knee/meniscal_tear.php)as it has some good general info on a lot of conditions, references to literature (see further down on the page) and an excellent forum (much like this one)

The site is run by a sports doctor in Sydney and in my experience has been a reliable source of info. As always you will need to judge for merit of the information for yourself.

Regards

James

[BazzaDLB]

Hi all,

Have had both knees done over the years and found that when it was just a tear the discomfort wasn't too bad.
The other time there was a tear and also some loose cartilage floating around - now that was painful and took a bit to get over it.
I don't envy you - hope you get well soon.

[tea lady]

That is sooo nice of you to offer. I would not dream of imposing such an odorous duty on such a kind person as yourself, so I will just have to continue doing it, even though I am suffering.:roll:

We'll try real hard to be nice then. :cute: :D


I take Glucosamine for my neck. I have oestio arthritis, which makes me sound real old.:C But I've have it for years and not known what it was till a chiro sent me for an xray before he would do anything. I think it is a "proven " pain relief thing for oestio arthritis. but maybe more drastic things like you seem to have need more drastic measures. :shrug: All I know, for me, if I think its not really doing anything and I stop taking it cos I've run out and have to buy more and I look at the price again and think "bloody hell!!!" and don't buy it, the pain gets really bad. And then i doesn't look to expensive.:rolleyes: It only works while you take it and the effect wears off gradually.

[artme]

I take Glucosamine for my neck. .

I knew it! Now you've actually admitted that you are a pain in the neck! :D:D:q:q

My wife had a torn meniscus and after the operation developed a deep vein thrombosis -DVT. Was done with an arthroscope.

Specialist said there is something like an 85% chance of DVT after a knee op.So my advice is to take evry precaution if you have an op and ask th doc about clot prevention.

[DavidG]

Glucosamine does it work ??????
No idea, I only know that the arthritic pain in my neck, thumbs and knee were reduced when I started taking the stuff.

The pain slowly came back when I stopped for a while.

Reduced when I restarted taking it.

I also added fish oil 3000mg per day and that combined with the Glucosamine seem to keep all the pains away and stopped the need for anti inflammatory drugs.

Not proof but the combination works for me. (Open mind)

Thanks artme, I will keep an eye out for that one. I am on BP tablets, then may prevent clots.

Thanks to all the people who provided links. I nearly know enough now not to need the specialist. Just sharpen the skew correctly and away I go.:roll:

Probably get an MRI next week to see exactly what is going on and decide from there.

[tea lady]

I knew it! Now you've actually admitted that you are a pain in the neck! :D:D:q:q

I HAVE the pain.. Somebody else IS the pain.:p:rolleyes: (I don''t know if we'll get away with hijacking a mods Thread.:C:D)

[Ian Smith]

Specialist said there is something like an 85% chance of DVT after a knee op.So my advice is to take evry precaution if you have an op and ask th doc about clot prevention.

artme, I guess every specialist has his/her own set of numbers but 85% sounds a bit high but I suppose it depends how they define DVT.
My BIL died from DVT after a hip replacement, so I know there's a risk, but I seriously doubt that the chance of it being fatal is as high as that.
I have an allergy to asprin and its derivitives which seems to be the DVT preventative of choice, but I was advised to do leg lifts, many and often, to get around this.

Anyway today, just 33 days after the op my knee has no pain, a bit weak, but otherwise I expect a full recovery.

Ian

[Pheonix]

Just getting over a muscle tear in my right calf muscle, did it shifting bags of cement with my son we were installing a shade sail and we had to concrete one anchor point, took about ten bags of concrete lifted a bag out of the back of his ute felt something tear,but wasn't too worried kept working ,that was Saturday by Sunday leg blew up ,went to GP Monday, Mmm might be DVT,so of to hospital and put on clexhane, blood thinner twice a day by second day I was black from my toes to the top of my thigh,back to hospital discontinue clexhane, let it heal naturally, after five days starting to itch and turn red around my ankle so back to hospital,admitted ,stayed all day they then decided it was an internal bleed which turned into cellulitus,stared on intravenous antibiotic drip twice a day,in hospital,the sent home back next day spend four hours on the drip,back that night another four hours,back the next morning another four hours, then decide to employ home nursing team to come to my place and give me needles,in and out in ten minutes after five days of this I am starting to get movement in my leg,on oral antobiotics now with white stockin to be worn until end of week.
The public health system aint working fellas!! :no:

[Johncs]

Ian, My guess is that you are correct. The only issue will be timing as school holidays start end of the week 'till end Jan.

Don't expect to do anything much before Feb so I need pain relief.

Unfortunately with the tablets I am taking, Jonny Walker relief is not possible so I will have to use Panadol.:C

Check that one with your pharmacist. Date (mid 80s) was on a considerable assortment of medications, but still could have his nip of port or occasional beer and glass of wine.

That was only curtailed when he had a morphine patch. I think that the effect now would be he's a very cheap drunk.

[DavidG]

(I don''t know if we'll get away with hijacking a mods Thread.:C:D)
Never stopped you before.:;

[DavidG]

but still could have his nip of port or occasional beer and glass of wine.
Yeh. Can still have a nip but I was more thinking about total pain relief (Take one bottle per night before bed):o:roll:

[prozac]

Glucosamine does it work ??????
No idea, I only know that the arthritic pain in my neck, thumbs and knee were reduced when I started taking the stuff.

I have an arthritic pain in the neck too! I don't think that Glucosamine will make her go away.

[Ellemcbeast]

I had a medial meniscus tear and an MRI revealed a small cyst caused by the torn flap rubbing against a ligament. It was quite painful and limited movement.

Had an arthroscopy nearly 4 weeks ago. On table at 7 am home by 11 am. Torn meniscus trimmed and cyst relieved. Walked out of hospital with no crutches.
There was immediate relief but some residual soreness, which is diminishing day by day. Only two tiny scars each 10mm long.

If its torn it will not repair over time, arthroscopy is only way.
Get on with it and get back to life in the fast lane.

[DavidG]

Update.

Tear confirmed by MRI along with Arthritis

Saw specialist today and he will operate on tue 17 - feb. :2tsup:

Oh to free of the pain.....:U

[DJ’s Timber]

Not good to hear that you need an OP, but good to hear that the OP will sort it all out :2tsup:

[tea lady]

Its all such a long process isn't it. Hope it all goes well.:)

[Kev Y.]

It is not a long process at all, I was in and out in a day, off my feet for about three days, on crutches for three more days..

Got bored sh!tless not being able to get out and about. now 12 months later all I have to show for my experience is two tiny scares either side of my knee.

[DavidG]

It is not a long process at all,

Hi
The long process has been getting to the operation. It is only day surgery, hobble in, walk out. :U

The pain, particularly lately, is severe at times and I will be glad to be free of it.
Whilst the doc is in there he will fix up the arthritis as well.

He gives me 4..5 years before I will need a knee replacement. :o:C

[DavidG]

Hi
Operation done. I tore both what ever they are called.
All fixed, we will see how it goes over the next week.

NO driving for a week :C So I am grounded.

[rsser]

How's it faring David?

As to whether Glucosamine helps, the answer appears to be yes, in some cases: http://www.mrw.interscience.wiley.co...946/frame.html (http://www.mrw.interscience.wiley.com/cochrane/clsysrev/articles/CD002946/frame.html)

[Weekend hack]

Medial Menicus tear...
What ever that means, is giving me a real pain in the knee.

Doc thinks I may need an Op.

Same leg as the one I broke. Damn maybe just run it through the bandsaw and get me a parrot. Arrrr.


Seen the price of parrots lately?

[tea lady]

So how is Ol' Peg leg going anyway?:D

[awaye]

I too had a torn meniscus some years ago and was supposed to have an opperation but the pain eased somewhat and i never had the operation ......until 8 years later when my meniscus tore to nearly 3cm and was bloody painfull to boot , dont put off the opp as the problem wont go away and you will regret it as i did.

[rsser]

Meniscus damage is common when you do a ligament, but the trend has been not to operate automatically.

The knee is a complex joint and pain can arise at a variety of points. Good diagnosis is essential. I'm a fan of using a skilled sports physio to see what can be done first off with non-invasive techniques like cold packs, strapping, stretches and exercises.

I'm managing to ski without an ACL because building leg strength and using a soft brace can mostly compensate. It does mean exercising for the rest of my life though which is a pain (in the other sense).

[awaye]

As i said in previous post about not having operation on knee, well like i said 8 years later the problem resurfaced although it was always present to a lesser degree.
It was like a whip crack when it let go,
As you could expect i did have an arthroscopy and a sizable piece of meniscus (about 3cm) was removed ,a few other problems were found as well.
It took many months to settle down and to this day gives trouble.
The specialist warned that if i had further problem with this knee that i would have to have knee reconstruction.

[Pheonix]

Only problem is knee reconstructions are good for twenty years or so ,then you have to repeat the whole thing over again,they haven't got one that lasts a lifetime yet:rolleyes:

[rsser]

Fraid there's another prob with reconstructions; the success rate for 2nd time round is lower than for no. 1

There is work going on btw on recoating worn cartiledge in ball and socket joints but that wouldn't help a torn meniscus AFAIK.