Dodgy Knees - Torn Meniscus - Additional support & Cycling

[breamster]

Hi All,

I am currently waiting for my 2nd athroscopy on the same knee. The first one lasted about 18 months before the symptoms reoccurred.

Who else has similar problems?

There seems to be a huge selection of knee supports/braces available.

Will a brace be of benefit whilst waiting for the athroscopy?

Will a brace be of benefit after the operation to reduce the strain on my knees?

I would wear the brace for things like gardening, DIY but predominantly for offroad cycling.

Thoughts?

[breamster]

The_Doc said:

A knee brace is many things

I would ask either your consultant or a decent knee/sports physio which one they recommend.

No further advice about your actual condition can realistically be accurate without seeing you in person and knowledge of your previous 'scope.

I use a lot of www.Ossur.co.uk braces, but they range from £30 to £500

Hi,

I thought you might say that - I only spoke to the Registrar earlier this week who was not a great deal of help.

The MRI showed up the previous tear and the work that the surgeon had done to my knee previously but it didn't show up much else apparently. Essentially it seems they don't know what is going on until they go in and take a look which is fair enough.

Basically the message was go away, wait for an appointment and have the arthroscopy in about 3-4 months time. His advice was I can ride my bike as much and as hard as I like. It will hurt and it will get inflamed but it won't do any further damage which I don't think is true for one moment.

I asked about the long term prognosis and his response was the generic risks involved with any surgery requiring a general aesthetic. He couldn't answer the specific question or even admit that he didn't know.

I'll try and find a private knee or sports physio locally so see if they can help unless you can recommend anyone local to me near Bournemouth.

Thanks very much for taking the time to respond - I hadn't considered consulting a physio but I will look into it.

[breamster]

Thanks for the suggestions - I'll look into them.

I've found a sports physio locally who has been recommended by a couple of friends - I'll be giving them a call on Tuesday.

Approx £40 per session - does that sound reasonable?

[breamster]

Well - my little saga continues.

On the waiting list for an arthroscopy and told it will be a 3-4 month waiting list. In the meantime I have seen a sports physio who seems really good.

She has set herself the challenge to convince me in the next 3 months that I don't need an arthroscopy through some pretty strenuous exercises. Meanwhile the date for the arthroscopy comes through in 3 weeks time!! I love the NHS but what do I do now? Go ahead with op or cancel it in the hope the physio can sort me out?!

Ignore me - feel better for having a moan.

[breamster]

ubbs said:

Interesting I go under the knife in a few weeks right knee again I've had countless arthroscopes cartalidge repaired/removed, micro fracture, 2 acl's replaced current one has stretched and is ineffective now, surgeon has suggested stripping some muscle from the outside of the knee and threading it across to the inside for more stability (can't remember what the procedure is called) there is some wear in the joint too, I'm wondering if the procedure you mention will help with the pain I have.

Now I feel inadequate! Good luck with the surgery and hope you're back on your feet soon.

[breamster]

lemmingjames said:

from a non medical profession id go with surgery. you can always have physio after which may or may not help you otherwise.

if its torn, from my understanding is that it can always catch on something and aggravate it = inflammation and so on. physio isnt going to get it to rejoin its self back together again.

Alternatively, you could have replacement meniscus but they open up the knee properly and it takes a year to recover, no bending for the first few months etc. This was 'new' technology 7 years ago and so things may have changed now

I am favouring going with the surgery I think. My main reservation is that aside from the old tear the MRI didn't show up a great deal so the athroscopy will be a bit exploratory. This makes me think whatever it is must be relatively minor despite giving me a bit of pain.