Torn Meniscus

[vickster]

I had a meniscus tear (lateral) for 5 months which had to be operated as I ended up with buckling (the knee was locked the whole time as well as being swollen and painful). I wasn't able to cycle - it was a while ago, I did go to the gym so assume I used a static bike.

The issue with having it trimmed is you will be more susceptible to arthritis in the knee as part of the cushioning has gone. The issue with not having it done is the tear can get worse and so more has to be removed (how old are you as the meniscus tissue actually starts to degenerate from age 30 on!). Meniscus tears rarely heal as most of the tissue has a poor blood supply

All of my mensicus tear symptoms resolved very quickly, but I do still have issues due to hole in the cartilage on the thigh bone. All from a cycling accident, dangerous pasttime

Fortunately, I have private health insurance through work. A menisectomy is around £2.5k self pay

 

[sdr gb]

The issue with having it trimmed is you will be more susceptible to arthritis in the knee as part of the cushioning has gone. The issue with not having it done is the tear can get worse and so more has to be removed (how old are you as the meniscus tissue actually starts to degenerate from age 30 on!). Meniscus tears rarely heal as most of the tissue has a poor blood supply

First off, thanks for that, very informative.

That's what I'm worried about now, the tear getting worse so that the knee locks / buckles. After doing some searching on other sites, it seems this will only be a matter of time.

In answer to your question, I'm 35.

 

[vickster]

It may be possible to repair the meniscus depending on size and location of the tear if you don't leave it too long

I use this forum http://www.kneeguru.co.uk/KNEEtalk/index.php - the meniscus pages are very informative too

http://www.kneeguru.co.uk/KNEEnotes/node/2259 (I dk if you'll need to register to read, as with all forums don't be put off by the horror stories, people post bad experiences or if they have questions)

I'd ask to speak to the specialist again - just make sure that lower limbs and especially knees are his main focus

Personally, if you don't have symptoms, I'd probably leave well alone, simply due to the risks of the surgery and the protracted recovery (6-12 months is realistic). Maybe some good focused physio can help alleviate (forget the NHS, find a private sports physio, preferably with an interest in cycling)

 

[sdr gb]

It may be possible to repair the meniscus depending on size and location of the tear if you don't leave it too long
http://www.kneeguru.co.uk/KNEEnotes/node/2259 (I dk if you'll need to register to read, as with all forums don't be put off by the horror stories, people post bad experiences or if they have questions)
I

Thanks for the link, I'll have read tomorrow when I've got more time.

 

[fossyant]

Keep pushing as you are a fit bloke and the docs can't see beyond the fact this does affect you. You could always phone up again in a couple of months and get a sooner appointment. I was told to go away and come back in 3 months with my recent problems. Phoned up after a month, got another appointment fast, explained again the effect on my cycling, oh time heals blah blah, reitterated my situation, the doc agreed to operate. Been a month since, no op date yet, but on the list. Keep plugging at it.

 

[sdr gb]

Keep pushing as you are a fit bloke and the docs can't see beyond the fact this does affect you. You could always phone up again in a couple of months and get a sooner appointment. I was told to go away and come back in 3 months with my recent problems. Phoned up after a month, got another appointment fast, explained again the effect on my cycling, oh time heals blah blah, reitterated my situation, the doc agreed to operate. Been a month since, no op date yet, but on the list. Keep plugging at it.

Thanks Fossy, this sounds like the way to go.

 

[fossyant]

No probs. Thing is the docs just see a huge wide range of folk and the really active ones are a bit rare. Yes if you were a couch potatoe and didn't exercise much, then you'd be OK with the knee, but as a keen cyclist, that rides most days, then it's a big issue to your quality of life, and a good investment to them to keep you going.

They just aren't geared up to work with really 'fit' people. Good luck

 

[S1mon]

just get them told sorry but i used to be a big fat heffer until i lost 12 stone and found a very expensive hobby/
my gp used to blame it all on being fat guess what this happened after i lost weight gp still said you could lose a bit more im now 14 stone got a second opinion they sent me private (i could barely walk and it was 3 times its normal size

 

[vickster]

Knees are extremely sensitive to weight - I am on the heavy side and although my surgeon has never brought it up, when discussed, he did emphasise the impact of weight on knee symptoms. However, if there are mechanical issues associated with a tear, weight is unlikely to have an effect. Unfortunately, these tears just don't heal well on their own (in about 80% of cases) as the blood supply is too poor. If the tissue is stuck in the joint, most of the time surgery is needed to free it

 

[shouldbeinbed]

I thought I'd managed to get across how much it was affecting me and was a bit lost for words when he said come back in 6 months.

I can manage about an hour on the turbo so that is keeping my hopes up.

I've just had my 3rd Arthro for my damaged knee, including torn meniscus, since getting run down in Oct 11. Its been 18 months of pain, discomfort, aggravation, practical difficlties and hassle I really didn't need.

I understand where you're coming from, I felt like a second class citizen and as if I was whinging about nothing in their eyes. It took the support and help of my Physio pushing me to keep complaining and her making waves on my behalf as she could tell I clearly wasn't right when the consultant was discharging me & telling me it'd settle down and to stop moaning at him.

You're lucky you had an MRI in advance, I didn't and (IMO) he missed bits; I've had a few arthroscopes in my time and was going back within days telling him it didn't feel right; apparently MRI's are very expensive nowadays and 80% of the time the surgeon sees what they expect to, so they don't do them as routine anymore. if you're one of the 20% with somethng unexpected then expect a battle to get fixed.

Personally I'd keep pushing at them and not taking no for an answer, go and ask when you can start running again - thats a much bigger issue with knees than asking when you can cycle. I asked for the consultant and physio's advice and they were happy I rode within reason all the way through my problems, there were days when I simply couldn't get on a bike, I took more rest days that usual, and I reeled the mileage back, avoided the worst slopes and was running a couple of cogs easier than I would do usually and whilst it has hurt on occasions I've got through it ok.

if he really won't budge on it, at least get him to refer you to the podiatry department to assess how you're walking and if you need inserts in your shoes to even up your gait and make walking as comfy as possible whilst the doc's faff about.

 

[vickster]

You are also well within your rights to ask for a second opinion. Do some research, look for sports focused knee specialists locally and badger your GP

My best advice really is to not do anything that causes undue pain / discomfort. You only have two knees and they need to last a long time!

 

[sdr gb]

You are also well within your rights to ask for a second opinion. Do some research, look for sports focused knee specialists locally and badger your GP

All being well, I'm going to arrange an appointment with a local sports physio for a check over so that I can be sure I have no other bio-mechanical issues. He is also able to refer to NHS consultants so he may know who is the best one to approach.

I've found a website called Dr Foster Health which lists specialists which could come in handy.

Thanks for all the replies folks, it is appreciated

 

[sdr gb]

I've just had my 3rd Arthro for my damaged knee, including torn meniscus, since getting run down in Oct 11. Its been 18 months of pain, discomfort, aggravation, practical difficlties and hassle I really didn't need.

Hope you are okay and healing well.

I'm hoping getting a sports physio onside will help in getting the procedure done.

Good idea about mentioning running, I'll keep that one up my sleeve for when I go back.

 

[vickster]

All being well, I'm going to arrange an appointment with a local sports physio for a check over so that I can be sure I have no other bio-mechanical issues. He is also able to refer to NHS consultants so he may know who is the best one to approach.

I've found a website called Dr Foster Health which lists specialists which could come in handy.

Thanks for all the replies folks, it is appreciated

There is also a list of knee specialists on that forum I linked to, must be some around Manchester

 

[sdr gb]

There is also a list of knee specialists on that forum I linked to, must be some around Manchester

I was too busy reading the forums and articles on that link and totally missed the link to the specialist search. There are a few around the Manchester area.

Thanks.