Wellness

[GCR18]

I would go to my primary Dr.  

[SXMGirl]

@makena, I am sorry that you are having knee problems, and I am glad that you will be seeking medical advice.  You need to see an ortho asap.  It sounds like you might have torn your meniscus.  I just had meniscus surgery.  I tore mine working on the trx, which is really a piece of cake machine.  You don't need to do much for that to tear.  You might also have some bone fragments floating around your knee.  No matter, knee problems need to be taken care of asap.

[Mmsfoxxie]

Yes @makena, what you do first depends on the type insurance that you have.  When my issues first started, I had to see my primary care doctor first for anything.  (Don't have to do that now).  Well first he prescribed meds.  Didn't work.  Then physical therapy.  Didn't work.  Finally, I got to the orthopedist and got injections.  Bingo, it worked.  Several months wasted, though.  If you can, go directly to the specialist.

[qualitygal]

@m0rgan, thanks for your reply on this.  I may yet have to see a doctor. It's somewhat better, but I would like to know if it's arthritis or a tear of some kind.  

Came in to say I saw my doctor on my knee issue yesterday.  It's arthritis.  Then he told me if it progresses what we can do for it.  So that is a big weight off my mind.

[RedTop]

@makena,

In July 2016 while cleaning my shower, I over extended my reach and felt a painful pull in my right knee.  4 weeks later the knee was still painful and stiff, and I was back to limping like I did before my left knee replacement.   In the back of my mind, I knew where the situation was headed.   

My ortho surgeon confirmed my suspicions; the pain was coming from heavy arthritis in the knee joint.   A steroid injection brought short term relief, but having limped that long road to joint replacement before, I made the decision to go for surgery much sooner.   I am nearly 3 months post op and very thankful to have another new knee and no pain and stiffness.   

Best wishes to you!

[makena]

@SXMGirl exactly what it is.  Meniscal tear.  Went to the ortho Thursday..  They took an x-ray and that's what he determined it was.  He gave me a shot of cortisone in my knee and said it could take a couple weeks or more before I notice it getting better.  IF it does not improve or gets worse, then the next step would be surgery.

[SXMGirl]

@makena, a meniscus tear is probably the most common knee ailment, especially for those who work out.  It can be just twisting or rotating your knee the wrong way with too much force, even though you might not think that you have over-exerted.  Most orthos will tell you to rest and ice the knee.  This really works if you don't have to get out of the chair.

My surgery was mid-December and I still am not fully recovered.  I do see some significant changes, but this was not, at least for me, the easy surgery that everyone except my surgeon told me about.  What they found with me, and it probably is not uncommon, is that I had bone chips that did not show on the MRI.  That, then, is more than just repairing a tear.

Cortisone shots might work as well as physical therapy.  I had the cortisone shot and it did not work for more than a month.  If you have stairs in your home, that can impede.  I do and it is a problem.

Listen to your ortho.  You might also want to pick up a brace to wear on your knee.  I did not and it helped a little.  In fact, I think that I will go back to it.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[Shaunac]

My primary doctor referred me to physical therapy.  I was injured and thought it best to not stress it and stay away from weights.  I did this for months and the first thing the therapist did was to put me back on weights.  I'm completely better.  I had this injury for three years. 

[EatWell]

Go with the surgery,

[hckynut]

@makena

Cortisone shots work for some with meniscus issues, but for the majority that are actually torn, it is only temporary. For some with a low level meniscus tear, cortisone may be the answer.

Whatever the cause, Physical Therapy Exercises, specific to strengthening the muscles supporting the knees, should be done. These exercises are not only done to help an injured or repaired knee joint, they should become a regular part of everyone's life, excluding those with some sort of disability.

Strong muscles that support and major body joints, take much of the stress off of these joints, as does carrying less body weight that is not primarily muscle tissue. Too many got the idea(where I have no idea), that Physical Therapy Exercises only need to be done for "X" amount of time for recovery only. WRONG!  They should be done on a regular basis, be it every day/every other day, or 3 to 4 times a week.

Until more people realize, at a younger age, the importance of strong joint supporting muscles, can prolong having problematic body weight bearing joints, the knee joints will continue to be an issue. It is never too late for most to be able to strengthen all joint supporting muscles.

I have practiced what I "preach?" for over 50+ years and in spite of participating in 2 sports where knee injuries are common, I have never suffered from a knee joint injury. Just some food for thought for everyone concerned with issues of the knee or other weight bearing joints of the human anatomy.

hckynut(john)