Thread: Meniscus tear

Better maker yourself one of those pirate steering wheels to go with it.


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

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.

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

I think that would be Medial Meniscus.

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

Hope it works out well for you.

Damn - Now I can't even spull.

There is also some good info in here 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

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.

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

arthroscope

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

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

Have a good collection of cutting implements here

Will travel






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

Originally Posted by DJ's Timber

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.

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.

Originally Posted by 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

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.

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.