Possible bilateral meniscus tears, need advice please.
Discussion
I'll be honest I am feeling properly sorry for myself tonight. Very tearful intact 
.
Yesterday I felt a small pop in left knee, non painful. As day wore on movement became more limited. A nuisance and felt unstable but not painful more uncomfortable/odd sensation. Thought bursitis initially as had that 10yrs ago in this knee but that was painful.
Later in evening other knee felt odd but no recollection of any popping etc in it so figured my imagination. This morning it worsened so went to walk in centre after 2.5hr wait, and then a slightly flummoxed but lovely nurse she suspected meniscus tears....in both knees at the same time even though no trauma event.
Advice absolute rest, elevated limbs, nsaids then a&e Mon to get scan if no better.
Unfortunately strict rest is not possible I am home alone with two young kids til tom pm (hubby away) and I have no one able to help me. I have a new job been there four weeks looks likely I will not be able to work next week unless massive improvements.
Anyway really just want to get an idea of best practice re diagnosis and (if it is meniscus) treatment for a good recovery, my job needs me to have decent knees esp as my back is dodgy. The assumption is that it is a wear and tear injury.
Appreciate any help on this thank you. I am shuffling like a 90yr old and feels like my knees are about to give out as I shuffle. The stairs are fun especially when carrying baby upstairs!
.Yesterday I felt a small pop in left knee, non painful. As day wore on movement became more limited. A nuisance and felt unstable but not painful more uncomfortable/odd sensation. Thought bursitis initially as had that 10yrs ago in this knee but that was painful.
Later in evening other knee felt odd but no recollection of any popping etc in it so figured my imagination. This morning it worsened so went to walk in centre after 2.5hr wait, and then a slightly flummoxed but lovely nurse she suspected meniscus tears....in both knees at the same time even though no trauma event.
Advice absolute rest, elevated limbs, nsaids then a&e Mon to get scan if no better.
Unfortunately strict rest is not possible I am home alone with two young kids til tom pm (hubby away) and I have no one able to help me. I have a new job been there four weeks looks likely I will not be able to work next week unless massive improvements.
Anyway really just want to get an idea of best practice re diagnosis and (if it is meniscus) treatment for a good recovery, my job needs me to have decent knees esp as my back is dodgy. The assumption is that it is a wear and tear injury.
Appreciate any help on this thank you. I am shuffling like a 90yr old and feels like my knees are about to give out as I shuffle. The stairs are fun especially when carrying baby upstairs!
bexVN said:
walk in centre after 2.5hr wait, and then a slightly flummoxed but lovely nurse she suspected meniscus tears....in both knees at the same time even though no trauma event.
this is where it started to go wrong, although her help is/was well intentioned.try and see a Good experienced GP, or physio, or ideally an knee surgeon
The_Doc said:
bexVN said:
walk in centre after 2.5hr wait, and then a slightly flummoxed but lovely nurse she suspected meniscus tears....in both knees at the same time even though no trauma event.
this is where it started to go wrong, although her help is/was well intentioned.try and see a Good experienced GP, or physio, or ideally an knee surgeon
Trouble is I need to get something sorted and fast. I am in a new job still on probation. I cannot do my job without functioning knees. I am worried going to gp would just make things slower but I don't know.
I was advised a&e tomorrow is this OK to do?
Thank you for your reply. I'm just really stressing right now.
Edited by bexVN on Sunday 18th October 18:23
Edited by bexVN on Sunday 18th October 18:25
The_Doc said:
bexVN said:
walk in centre after 2.5hr wait, and then a slightly flummoxed but lovely nurse she suspected meniscus tears....in both knees at the same time even though no trauma event.
this is where it started to go wrong, although her help is/was well intentioned.try and see a Good experienced GP, or physio, or ideally an knee surgeon
te, you can't actually see any of these on the weekend ...and then they wonder why # clinic on mondays is hell
If you can't see a GP soon, which is another distaster all of its own, then try A&E which will be a nightmare because of the GP problem and ask for an Acute Knee Clinic if the hospital has one, or failing that the fracture clinic run by the knee surgeon.
We need to pay more for our NHS
We need to pay more for our NHS
The_Doc said:
If you can't see a GP soon, which is another distaster all of its own, then try A&E which will be a nightmare because of the GP problem and ask for an Acute Knee Clinic if the hospital has one, or failing that the fracture clinic run by the knee surgeon.
We need to pay more for our NHS
Thank you. Doctors can't win in gp surgeries tbh. I just hate the open surgery set up. We need to pay more for our NHS
I can't get to a&e, can't drive and no one to take me, thought hubby could but he has had to go to work. I am going to walk, well if you can call it walking!! to doctors (usually 15 min walk) and do the dreaded open surgery on a Monday morning whilst with my 11 month old daughter, fun fun fun!
A meniscus tear without obvious trauma is definitely possible - I've experienced it myself........ but to get it in both knees at the same time without any warning seems unlikely ?
I'm sure I will offend someone here but I'm not sure I would trust a nurse to diagnose as it isn't normally a nurse's role to make diagnosis is it? I would want to see a GP or someone with a special interest in knees and joint problems.
TBH if it is a meniscus tear there is no quick road to recovery, just a lot of time "RICE" and possibly surgery.
I'm sure I will offend someone here but I'm not sure I would trust a nurse to diagnose as it isn't normally a nurse's role to make diagnosis is it? I would want to see a GP or someone with a special interest in knees and joint problems.
TBH if it is a meniscus tear there is no quick road to recovery, just a lot of time "RICE" and possibly surgery.
It was more a likely scenario than diagnosis I suppose. The walk in centre is manned by nurses.
I am now part way through a potential 2hr wait at the Drs. When I booked in she said 'is it an emergency?' nor exactly but I can't walk properly and I need seeing, isn't that what the Drs are for?
I am now part way through a potential 2hr wait at the Drs. When I booked in she said 'is it an emergency?' nor exactly but I can't walk properly and I need seeing, isn't that what the Drs are for?
Edited by bexVN on Monday 19th October 10:41
Sorry to hear about the knees Bex
I twisted my left knee whilst dog walking 5 weeks ago and, since it was getting worse not better, eventually saw my GP last week who diagnosed cartilage issues. Common injury for footballers he said - he's referred me to the muscular-skeleto dept at the local hospital.
He said to rest the knee at a 10 degree angle (ie not straight) and to put a pillow under it for support. He also suggested elasticated tube bandage for knee support whilst walking, but I think Boots do better lycra ones for approx £20. Ask your pharmacist for advice.
Hope you got to see the GP this morning.
I twisted my left knee whilst dog walking 5 weeks ago and, since it was getting worse not better, eventually saw my GP last week who diagnosed cartilage issues. Common injury for footballers he said - he's referred me to the muscular-skeleto dept at the local hospital.
He said to rest the knee at a 10 degree angle (ie not straight) and to put a pillow under it for support. He also suggested elasticated tube bandage for knee support whilst walking, but I think Boots do better lycra ones for approx £20. Ask your pharmacist for advice.
Hope you got to see the GP this morning.
Good tips there. I've been px ibuprofen and time. She doesn't believe meniscus, she does think poss viral (I have red throat) which I suspected initially. Advise amend my job activities. Yep that'll be easy oh and yes lose weight.
No supports suggested, not right symptoms to warrant a scan. She said I could work as long as they could offer alternative jobs to do. Knowing that even with the best of intentions I will still end up doing jobs involving physical activity this is of little help.
No supports suggested, not right symptoms to warrant a scan. She said I could work as long as they could offer alternative jobs to do. Knowing that even with the best of intentions I will still end up doing jobs involving physical activity this is of little help.
VolvoT5 said:
I'm sure I will offend someone here but I'm not sure I would trust a nurse to diagnose as it isn't normally a nurse's role to make diagnosis is it? I would want to see a GP or someone with a special interest in knees and joint problems.
Diagnosis is a core role of all Health professionals Nursing staff working in W-I-Cs are very likely to have Master;s level preparation for their practitioner role but never mind the facts never let a rant get in the way of casual discrimination ...
joeg said:
Is it remit of all healthcare profesionals to diagnose? Your a paramedic are you not? With agenda or change I thought a paramedic dosent diagnose hence the band 5.
a lot of silly things were talked over banding ... if HCPs didn;t diagnose even paramedics and staff nurses the role they do would not be worthy of band 5 ...
there are some speshul snowflakes in the ambulance sector staff side that have invented meanings for words that disagree with the AFC Job Evaluation handbook
Now back to ME and MY thread 
Knee braces/pads ordered. Supplements ordered, diet being started tomorrow with vengeance. Lost half stone so far since baby number two but too slowly; another two to go.
In meantime couple days off work dosing up on ibuprofen (and omeprazole because of the brufen)
Even if this does turn out to be a viral reaction it has been a scare. I need my job, I like where I am working. I need my knees (and back) too work to do the job!
Thanks for advice, good to know for future (though hope not)
So that's me done, as you were
Knee braces/pads ordered. Supplements ordered, diet being started tomorrow with vengeance. Lost half stone so far since baby number two but too slowly; another two to go.
In meantime couple days off work dosing up on ibuprofen (and omeprazole because of the brufen)
Even if this does turn out to be a viral reaction it has been a scare. I need my job, I like where I am working. I need my knees (and back) too work to do the job!
Thanks for advice, good to know for future (though hope not)
So that's me done, as you were
mph1977 said:
Diagnosis is a core role of all Health professionals
Nursing staff working in W-I-Cs are very likely to have Master;s level preparation for their practitioner role but never mind the facts never let a rant get in the way of casual discrimination ...
It will be interesting to see if the OP has further investigation and if it confirms the diagnosis or not. Unless the nurse in question has specialist training in this particular area I would still take my chances a GP or a HCP with a special interest. A masters is great but still not equal to a doctor's 5 year degree + 5 years training in all areas of medicine.... in the same way a couple of weeks training on personal hygiene doesn't make a HCA a Nurse. Nursing staff working in W-I-Cs are very likely to have Master;s level preparation for their practitioner role but never mind the facts never let a rant get in the way of casual discrimination ...
Too many 'HCPs' running around pretending to be doctors.
Edited by VolvoT5 on Tuesday 20th October 20:27
VolvoT5 said:
mph1977 said:
Diagnosis is a core role of all Health professionals
Nursing staff working in W-I-Cs are very likely to have Master;s level preparation for their practitioner role but never mind the facts never let a rant get in the way of casual discrimination ...
It will be interesting to see if the OP has further investigation and if it confirms the diagnosis or not. Unless the nurse in question has specialist training in this particular area I would still take my chances a GP or a HCP with a special interest. A masters is great but still not equal to a doctor's 5 year degree + 5 years training in all areas of medicine.... in the same way a couple of weeks training on personal hygiene doesn't make a HCA a Nurse. Nursing staff working in W-I-Cs are very likely to have Master;s level preparation for their practitioner role but never mind the facts never let a rant get in the way of casual discrimination ...
Too many 'HCPs' running around pretending to be doctors.
Edited by VolvoT5 on Tuesday 20th October 20:27
that said there are a lot of professions in healthcare who really don;t help the cause by getting the message out about what they do rather than 'just following the orders of the clever doctors' ...
still not sure how 3- 4 years pre -reg + several years of post reg education as well as 5 or more years of clinical practice doesn;t compare to 5 years of education and 5 years of service provision as training ...
The only point of reference I can add to this debate is that even with my qualifications, my ongoing cpd developments, my 25yrs in veterinary work etc I am still not allowed to diagnose a condition (even if I know what it will be) over a newly qualified vet with no in house experience. Rules are rules!
bexVN said:
The only point of reference I can add to this debate is that even with my qualifications, my ongoing cpd developments, my 25yrs in veterinary work etc I am still not allowed to diagnose a condition (even if I know what it will be) over a newly qualified vet with no in house experience. Rules are rules!
perhaps because VNs are regulated by the RCVS as well as the vets themselves ... there are also some legal peculiarities which confine certain aspects of Vetrinary practice to Vets ... Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff