Knee problems

[Tikka 300wsm]

Hey guys my first post but ive been lurking for a while and have learned a lot from you guys.....just looking for some opinions....late january i had arthoscopic surgery for a discoid meniscus and lately ive been having a lot of pain so i went to the doc and he thinks that i have torn my meniscus....i am getting an mri for it in a few days....at the moment i cant run but im only 16 and 50% of my mensicus is gone and if it is what he thinks more will be taken out and im worried about arthritis setting in with having history of it on both sides of my family also im worried about not being able to hunt this season....ive read alot of bad things about people having second surgeries....therapy and steriod shots are out since since i had a reaction to one a few weeks ago...so if it is torn do you guys think i should have surgery or not...sorry for the long post

 

[FearNoWind]

Whether or not you elect to have surgery is a medical decision that I doubt many on this forum would be qualified to advise you about.
In your place I would get at least three opinions from the best orthopedic surgeons and three from the best rehabilitative physical therapists I could find and make the decision based on their input.
I had a torn meniscus repaired about ten years ago, one in each leg. Took nearly a year to get back to normal but because I didn't abuse them and strictly followed the therapist orders I'm back to normal; climbing stairs, mountain sides and ladders.

 

[HARPERC]

I was about your age when knee problems started. 1) There aren't any parts better than what you came with. 2) Technology improves with time. 3) You're looking at managing it, not resolving it. 4) Some seasons will be better than others. 5) Second opinions prior to a major surgery are a good thing. The net may not be the best place to get that opinion.

Wait for the MRI, get the advice of at least one orthopedics specialist.

Meniscus don't grow back yet, but you can reduce impact, wear and tear. You can stay in shape with low impact activities.You can hunt slower and it actually works better much of the time. There are lots of ways to get into the mountains.

RoyinIdaho says "I may be the slowest guy on the mountain, but I'm on the mountain". He's using pack goats, and a jackass to make it work.

You've got one up on me, at 16 I didn't have sense enough to ask about alternatives, much less take it. Be patient, Good Luck!

 

[Dosh]

Tikka, welcome to the forum. I am 64 and had surgery on my right meniscus, and medial collateral ligament 46 years ago, still no problems. That was before arthroscopic surgery was available. Have the surgery, but if you really have reservations, get a second opinion. Good luck

 

[theEMP]

Man I feel your pain. I started having knee problems when I was 14. Finally last year (age 24) I had both knees scoped to smooth out the back side of the knee caps and work over the ligaments. Long story short the sergery made a world of difference. I still have knee issues quite often though. Expesialy when working them hard. Best thing I have found to do is strengthen the muscles around the knees by doing low impact work outs. By keeping those muscles strong I have been able to continue to hunt hard and ride my snowmobile. Sergery is up to you. Would I do mine again? Yes. Would I have a second one? Only if it was my last option. Good luck with what ever you do.

 

[Tikka 300wsm]

I had been keeping my leg muscles strong until i had the steriod shot but ever since then the pain has been alot worse to were i couldnt do any leg workouts which were already limited....i wouldnt really be to worried about the surgery if it wasnt for the high risk of arthritis which i really dont want to have this early in life....the last time i jogged before the shot i only could do 3 tenths of a mile but the week before that i had no problem with doing a mile and a half

 

[Bravo 4]

I am still going to physical therapy from having my ACL reconstructed a little while back. This was a needed surgery for me; active military and still in my 30's. I was at a military course and popped that dude out of socket momentarily. They gave me the option of staying and completing the last 4 weeks or going to the house. So I went to walmart and got a cheap knee brace, wrapped it and limped around. I had called my doc back home and he scheduled an MRI for the week after I got home. Three days latter I was in surgery. Three days after that I started physical therapy. The therapist said he wished I had had therapy for a month before surgery, because the muscles above my knee had atrophied quite a bit. I lost over 4" of muscle in the thigh/hamstring. My daughter calls it my "little leg". It will be about a year before I am back to normal.
The day before this happened I had run a couple of miles to the gym, did a good leg workout that involved 800lb leg presses and then ran back to my barracks.
My advise is to get another opinion, if possible, and get a consult from at least one therapist before the surgery.

 

[Marble]

My .02..

I have been dealing with cancer all this year and I'm only 38. The end of the road is in site and my last (hopefully) treatment is Oct 6. Cancer is gone already but this last round is more precautionary. I was very naïve and uninformed about the medical field prior to my illness. What I have learned is that doctors are just like any other profession. There are all types and just because they have that MD does not make them all knowledgeable. The advice about of seeing three different people is awesome and well said. I had some doctors leave out so much information you would think they were drub when talking to me. Others, including nurses, have been so informative the impression never leaves you.

The doctors will always tell you they have the latest and greatest technology and that if you go here they have the same thing I do. Well...that is sort of true. Every restaurant has access to the same foods, gear, spices and choices in menu. But why are some better. Some people have more talent than others. Your goal is to find that talented person to help YOU.

The internet is your friend. Read reviews from multiple sources on each establishment and doctor/rehab place and don't get your heart set on any one particular business. And remember, it is a business. They need to make money.

Good luck.

And I will be elk hunting this year, riding horses, climbing mountains and kicking ***.

 

[davewilson]

i'm 60 yrs old and have had knee issues for 40 years. this past year i was playing softball and of course irritated my knee. i've had prolotheraphy in the past with good results but i came across a new treatment called prolozone. it simply means injecting oxygen inside the knee. the soft tissue inside the knee can heal itself if it can get oxygen. miniscus, cartilage and all the soft tissue can actually heal itself. most doctors don't know about it. i got injections every 2 weeks, did it in both knees and definity had improvement. my brother also went and got improvement and he was bone on bone. he had new cartilage grow in his knees. do a search and find a doctor that does it. a much better option than removing the miniscus.

 

[Capt. D]

I have torn meniscus in both knees and a tear in my right LCL. I work on a contract basis and don't have the time to be down that long. I have been manageing the pain with Eueflexa injections. Its a series of three injections, one a week for three weeks, and it seems to work well for about four months. You have to have some meniscus left for it to work so it may work for you. But...you can only have them twice a year. Quiz your ortho doc about it. I have had back and shoulder surgery, both successful. Word to the wise...get a second opinion and put it off as long as you can safely handle it.

 

[Tikka 300wsm]

Went to a new doc yesterday(hes the doctor for the arkansas razorbacks and our local minor league baseball team) he looked at the mri and says that it is a torn meniscus and that i also have a compression fracture in my back from a fender bender i had a few days ago that i just thought was just being sore after the crash...thats gonna take 8-10 weeks to heal so ive decided that im just gonna get the knee scope since im going to be down for while anyway...thanks guys for your opinions and good luck on the mountaingun)