Torn meniscus

jan1ce
jan1ce Member Posts: 14
edited 16. Oct 2010, 14:30 in Living with Arthritis archive
I have this - although no MRI yet. They say it's related to arthritis, wear and tear? I haven't seen a doctor yet except at A&E and I'm feeling quite helpless since I can't walk without crutches and I'm useless at those too. Never have used them before. I am going to have to go out eventually but I haven't even managed to get to a different room without difficulty yet. Has anyone had this? I have so many questions. Thanks!

Comments

  • jonny_g
    jonny_g Member Posts: 13
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I had a torn meniscus after a car accident (before I had RA) and had a small operation, an Arthroscopy (keyhole surgery) to remove the torn piece of cartilage. I think sometimes they can sew torn cartilage up but it depends on how bad it is.

    I found it quite painful before having the operation, however almost straight after the operation the pain was an awful lot better and I was up and walking around again fine on the same day as the op.

    Let us know how you get on :)
    jan1ce wrote:
    I have this - although no MRI yet. They say it's related to arthritis, wear and tear? I haven't seen a doctor yet except at A&E and I'm feeling quite helpless since I can't walk without crutches and I'm useless at those too. Never have used them before. I am going to have to go out eventually but I haven't even managed to get to a different room without difficulty yet. Has anyone had this? I have so many questions. Thanks!
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,087
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Janice

    I googled it - have you? and it looks solvable by arthroscopy I think what Jonny said so hopefully it can be put right.

    Practice with the crutches at home - you have to get out! It's not good to be stuck indoors all the time.

    In the meantime you are welcome to come on here and chat to us lot.

    Love

    Toni xx
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi jan
    My OH had this,they did keyhole surgery, washed out his knee to remove cartilage, and put a couple of stitches inside.
    He was in so much pain before he had it done, but after he only used his crutches for one day, he cannot believe the difference.
    Hope this helps a little.
    Barbara x
    Love
    Barbara
  • jan1ce
    jan1ce Member Posts: 14
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Are you all in the UK? I ask because the only people I know who have had surgery for a torn meniscus were in the USA. The people I know in the UK or Canada have been told surgery wasn't the course of action. Even the helpline told me that. Also when the doctor called me today he said that they didn't even need to see me unless it doesn't resolve by itself. Very interesting!

    Is it normal I can't put my weight on it at all? What is the advice around that? Should I be weight bearing with my crutches or keeping my foot off the floor? I feel lost.
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,087
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Jan

    They seem to have left you right up in the air :shock:

    You don't even know if you can weight bear??


    I hope one of theses guys can tell you what you can/can not do :roll:

    Love

    Toni xx

    PS me being me I would NOT weight bear though :shock:
  • amboritic
    amboritic Member Posts: 66
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I know three or four people at work that have had this, one persons knee used to lock when he was down the gym and he had to be carried out to a Taxi to get home as it wouldn't bend atal.

    This is working for the NHS Ambulance service in London. So not a sedentary office job.

    When I tore mine i had to wait 2 1/2 yrs for the surgery and was working the entire time, I was even down as a priority case due to my job.

    Though the waiting time for the same op in Cheslmsford was 3 months.

    It is a very common problem, I actually had more pain since the operation but it no longer locks.


    The severity of your knee locking seems to dictate how long you wait for surgery, but an A/E Dr isn't the best placed to diagnose this, so I would expect your GP would do a referral to a consultant after getting the letter from A/E.
  • amboritic
    amboritic Member Posts: 66
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    One other thing what actually happened to cause you to go to A/E, did you fall? Did you have pain for a while that got worse?

    This is important info as apart from pain one of the main indicators for surgery is the kneee locking, if it just hurts a bit now and then you won't get surgery, to much rick that it could be made worse.

    If it was a fall and now you have a sore knee and the A/E Dr said it might be a torn miniscus is irrelevant, remember A/E is full of new graduate Dr's still finding their feet in the clinical world and more experienced Dr's that, in my experience, might give you a few worst case scenarios and send a letter to your GP requesting he investigate further.

    Remember that a ?torn miniscus isn't a very serious problem in the NHS scheme of things, your clinical priority will come from the symptoms it is causing.

    You should be able to weight bear easilt on a torn miniscus, it is just a small flap of cartilage, and when they operate they remove it and flush out all the debris.

    I asume they have given you pain killers and anti-inflammatories?
    These should help you to weight bear.

    Are you actually diagnosed with some form of arthritis or have you just been told that this may lead to arthritis?
  • jan1ce
    jan1ce Member Posts: 14
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Doctor called to say that they want to see me IF I don't feel better. I will make an appointment anyway. I am actually using crutches more easily now and not hopping everywhere. Less pain too. Yes, I feel in the dark for sure. Have a physio appointment next Thursday and will see if she takes pity and doesn't just concentrate on the old problem. She may at least point me in the right direction.

    Won't give up on this anyway.

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