Knees, surgery, options

[White Warlock]

Hey all, time to come clean.

 

I hate mentioning my injuries. I feel like i'm exposing my weaknesses.

 

Anyway, I had my knee dislocated about two years ago and am about to have it treated, as it clearly didn't heal on its own. It basically was pulled loose and then it popped back in place. Immediately afterwards i was in excruciating pain and my lower leg and foot were shaking all on their own. Nowadays when i walk for too long, do too many knee bends, or travel up and down stairs a few times (10 or more), pain and stiffness immobilizes the knee.

 

Those of you who have been treated for such an injury, or who have had surgeries, please toss out your insights and concerns. I waited this long to have it cared for primarily because i hoped it would self-heal, but secondarily because i had heard a ton of horror stories on knee surgeries and the like.

 

This is your opportunity to save my knee. Please speak freely.

[Jazzstorm]

Do you know exactly what you did to it yet? There are many things that could be wrong,and each have different courses of action.

[ZR440]

If physical therapy hasn't worked get that thing tuned up. Soon. Consult a sports orthopedic physician. They see people like you every day.

[ramymensa]

And if a surgery is all left to do, go for it. As you described it, the situation is quite nasty and the knee not functioning as it should be. Instead of continuing this ordeal, maybe a surgery would do it. A period of recovery afterwards and maybe it would function better. I don't know the implications, but maybe it would be better.

 

I know a guy who had both knees repaired through surgery. After some months he as as good as new ... anyway ... better than before.

[delta1]

White, I'd go for surgery only as a last option, but definately get treatment from a doctor who understands sport type injuries. That, and a good physical therapist may be all you need.

 

And, if it is weakness to get injured, most of us are pitiful whimps. I'm back in physical therapy myself (my therapist has nick-named me "Cadilac" ). He told me last week that "You are an active guy, and I wouln't want to change that. But you could use a little more common sense." I guess the long and short of it is, if you put yourself in harms way enough times, you are going to get hurt. Train hard, and get help when you need it. Good luck!

[krunchyfrogg]

Go see a Sports Orthapedic surgeon, as ZR440 said. As a matter of fact, see one of them before going for physical therapy. You don't want to risk hurting yourself any further (in therapy) if they're trying to fix something without knowing precisely what is wrong.

 

The Surgeon will have you make an appointment for an MRI immediately. After getting the result from that (ie, knowing what is EXACTLY wrong with your knee), you'll have to take it from there.

 

And, please get a second opinion. You don't want to go into surgery (or avoid it) if it really isn't necessary.

 

Good luck!

[White Warlock]

Thank you for the input. My regret is in having waited so long to get this looked into.

 

Btw, krunchyfrogg, i smile every time i see your name. What encouraged you to use such an... entertaining login?

[krunchyfrogg]

It's based on an old Monty Python skit featuring a "crunchy frog" chocolate (there's a real dead baby frog inside). My first step into the internet world involved me getting a hotmail account, and "crunchyfrog" was taken, so I messeg around with the spelling. The e-mail account has been retired, but my "handle" lives on!

[Rich67]

I'm not an orthopedist, but it sounds like when you dislocated your knee, you may have torn the meniscus in the knee. The symptoms you are describing lends creedence to that. The only way to relieve the pain is to get a good doctor, get an MRI, then he'll make the recommendation. In the case of meniscal tears, orthoscopic sugery is required. They'll stitch it down where it belongs. If you don't get it taken care of, you're setting yourself up for years of arthritis and pain in the knee. ANY knee surgery sucks, I had surgery to fix my ACL, MCL and meniscus all in one pop. I'm still not 100%...it's been 4 months. They say I'll be 100% in 9 months post op. It's a rough surgery. Just the meniscus alone shouldn't be too bad, though.