Orthopedics Hip, Knee, and Shoulder Injuries Forum - Torn Meniscus without the pain?


Torn Meniscus without the pain?

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Seraph

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Torn Meniscus without the pain? Posted: 01-22-08 09:54am


Hi I have been seeing a biokineticist to assist with strengthening the muscles in me legs, to kope with Bilatteral Patella-Alta. Recently, after starting the exercises, I have been having problems with my knee starting to "Lock up" again. I had this problem last year before a serious dislocation of my left knee. What happens is that It feels like something is getting stuck in the joint and when I touch my knee joint below (not meaning lower down the leg) the patella, I can feel something "sliding" back and then I can move it again. I have asked the biokineticist about this and the only thing she can think of is a torn Meniscus, which she says doesn't make sense, seeing as I don't have related pain. Is it possible that I am mistaking the pain from the torn Meniscus as Chondromalatia/Osteoarthrites associated pain? If not, Is there any other possible explenation? It really feels like something is loos in the knee... Thanks

rooted

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Posted: 01-26-08 17:01pm


Yes, it's possible. I experienced torn meniscus after ACL reconstruction, and the orthopedist scoped and scraped it, b/c it was clicking and catching and wearing down the padding between the bones. Can you get an MRI?

Seraph

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Posted: 01-30-08 07:08am


I did have X-Rays taken after the cast came off and the Biokineticist toke a look at it again. She could not see any evidance of a torn miniscus but she says it might be smaller tears on the inside instead of one large tear. MRI might be a good idea in this case as you wouldn't be able to see anything from a normal X-Ray if the tears are on the inside.

yogahoneybunny

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Posted: 01-31-08 15:20pm


Yes, my orthopedic surgeon only diagnosed the meniscus as being the source of pain and popping after a "scope" surgery procedure in which he identified AND removed the meniscus at the same time. But no MRI before surgery. Not sure if small tears would appear.

Tool128

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Oh, the pain of knee reconstruction!!! Posted: 03-12-08 21:27pm


Get an MRI, like said before regular X-ray will not show up tears or anthing like soft tissue, good luck! i had total knee reconstruction with codavor acl and i have cronic pain all the time,. Yogahoneybunny how are you?

Seraph

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Posted: 03-13-08 04:16am


Hey guys Tool128...you have my deepest sympathy...I have constant pain due to chondromolatia and minor osteo-arthritis (Although the bio-kinetichs does help to ease it off to a point). I thank God every single day that the specialist decided against a knee-op to try and rectify the patella-alta...I would apparently have lost a great deal of mobility in knees had he gone through with it. Thanks a mill for the suggestions and support. I havent gone for the MRI as my med-aid would not have covered the cost - it is stretched to it's limits due to all kinds of problems. According to my physio, there is a possibility that it might even be a ligament floating around in my knee... I apparently have "Hyper Mobile Joints" due to "lax" ligaments (Which might be the cause of a wrist problem I am struggling with, if you read my other post...) but every doctor I talk to tends to shy away from the topic of either HMS (Hyper Mobility Syndrom) and or Connective Tissue Disorder and seems reluctant to do tests to prove/disprove it. This really frustrates me, as I really need ease of mind in this respect. The cardio-vascular ramifications of Connective Tissue Disorder greatly concerns me. It's not like I am Hypocondriatic in terms of this either, given my medical history with joint problems. But what can you do...doctors is after all only human and we can't expect them to have answers for everything. For now, I'm just taking it carefull-like untill my med-aid recovers...then I'll most likely try and find a specialist in terms of connective-tissue to give me some conclusive answers. I would be all too happy if they were to say "You'r just plain paranoid, you have nothing to worry about!" At any rate, Good luck to you too man! Sounds like you need it even more than I do

Tool128

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Seraph, Posted: 03-13-08 16:11pm


Well thanks 4 the responce. And i Just learn to deal with the pain, My doctors don't like to perscribe me meds for this either, I tried to tell them there are perscribed drugs that are not full of Narcotics, that are available, they said they dont like to give out those because they are more addictive then the others, so what do you do? Sounds like you sisuation sounds like you are in alot painalso, I hope that anybody that has Pain of any sort can get if fixed with a operation or Meds. I hope you get your knee checked out soon tho, because the more you use the affected knee the more(if messed up.) will just continue to affect if more and more. believe me i had to wait almost 3 months till i recieved an operation , very stressfull, And now i have been off for over a year and still havent been released from doctor. And when i do he/ said he isnt sure if i will be able to work in the same occupation ever again! Red tape PI****me off! I have been fighting for medical coverage/SSI/social security. and trying to get other help also. Well I have vented ! Hope your feeling better soon!

Seraph

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Posted: 03-14-08 03:50am


I know what you mean...my doctor cringes when I ask him for anti-inflammatories (Apparently this stuff can cause liver damage if used too frequently 0.o )...and I tend to stay away from certain pain-killers as my family has a history of weak stomach linings... At any rate, like you say, you tend to get used to it and almost "desensitised" to a degree. (That is, unless someone lightly bumps my knee cap...and I do mean lightly...in which case I curl into a little ball and cry like a little girl from the pain ) The Chondromalatia (also known as Patella-Femoral pain syndrome) they can do nothing for...strengthening the muscles around the knee, to do the work the ligaments is supposed to, does seem to help a bit as the knee gets supported and there isn't as much pressure on the joint. The doctors will only concider operating if I show signs of cartlidge failure...which is going to happen at some point or another as it is degrading gradually...they have decided against trying to relocate the patella tho. As for the other joint problems...ugh...going to go to my GP, smack him over the head and demand some tests/answers of some sort Keep well and all of the best !

yogahoneybunny

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Posted: 03-14-08 10:32am


Dear Me. I can totally sympathize with you both. Knee stuff sucks. But seriously ... there are some great yoga practices for the knee. It's all based on alignment and elongating the muscles around the knees. Want me to outline some basic ones?

Tool128

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yogahoneybunny Posted: 03-14-08 22:38pm


That would be a great idea! I would almost try anything at this point? Thanks,

yogahoneybunny

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Posted: 03-20-08 04:14am


First do this: elevate your legs up a wall for 15-20 minutes every day for a week. You'll need to pick a spot that has enough floor space for you to lay comfortably on the floor with a long spine. Then, sit with your hip touching the wall and knees bents. Very gently, swivel your legs together up the wall and lay back on the floor or other surface (I do this in bed). Scooch your tailbone until you feel it coming in contact with the wall, and bend or straighten our legs according to the flexibility of your hamstrings. Lay back, allow your breath to be long and even, and close your eyes. You can set a timer, or when your toes start to tingling after about 15 minutes, you'll know you're ready to come down. When you bring the legs down, do so on the R side of your body (good for your heart) and lay in a fetal position for a good 3 minutes. You don't want the blood rushing to your head! Then, gently press yourself up. Let's talk after you do this for a week (really good right before bed)... ~Yoga