Trying to get to the bottom of a years old problem.
First off some facts:
#1 knee NEVER swells or hurts every day all day
#2 but it FEELS like it pops out of joint and at that moment have no weight bear ability.
#3 after MRI ortho doc says not so,,,just a VERY badly torn meniscus.
#4 Doc wants to scope it and remove torn part. Will not help arthritic parts.
He thought I had a torn ACL before MRI,,,says not so. IF I have scope and knee still feels pop out then what?
A total replacement would answer all problems known or unknown.
I have a feeling they dont see all even with MRI.
But replacing a knee that doesnt hurt(except for popping out) and doesnt swell seems like an overkill.
Before last couple weeks the popping out occured mostly as I was climbing a ladder.
Can only imagine the carnage of hitting the concrete floor with a 60# box on top of you
NOW it pops out just walking on a level good floor(several times a day)
So to the question for all of you,,,Has anyone had scope meniscuc removal? And wished they had a total knee?
How can removing a part improve knee function?
What I have read and heard says meniscus removal is a very iffy deal,,,long term,,,all mileage may vary
Any body have any experience?
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I know nothing, don....but surely SOMEONE here does??!!
Hope it all works out. Seems a total knee replacement would be pretty drastic.
Posted by TrekCoord (Member # 48888) on :
Shootin' from the hip here, as someone who has had a total of 5 knee surgeries [2 of them total knee replacements], ask for a CT scan. The “popping” out isn’t necessarily an issue with the knee itself but may be a symptom of the kneecap being messed up.
My last surgery, in July to replace the appliance attached to the underside my left kneecap, was preceded by several months of “popping” – almost sounding like cracking knuckles. X-ray, and MRI and CT scan showed the small sliver that had broken off and was causing a lot of issues.
So, that is my recommendation, get a CT.
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
I feel as if I am looking at my own options here (you described it so well), so am thinking it thru the best I can to think what I'd do.
From what you stated, and my own experience with Lyme knees...
1. Try the chiropractor first. Nothing to loose by doing so and sometimes they've been able to fix my weird stuff, like when the bones on the top of my foot slipped out of place and one went over top of the other. (Yes, ouch.) Or my dislocated shoulders. And when an elbow slipped out of place, etc.
2. I've had knee problems on/off since day one. The BIG word here being "OFF". Sometimes they fix themselves after a few months without me doing anything.
3. If they work on the torn meniscus it could tighten it and voila, the problem of the knee popping will fix itself with that action. Then again, it might not help at all.
4. I agree with Trek. More tests may provide more answers. If that is an option, look into that first. And talk to the surgeon about your concerns if you haven't.
5. I agree with you on the "overkill". Try the least invasive procedure first if you must have surgery at all. My guess is the repair of the torn meniscus is the lesser of the two. You can always opt for a full replacement later if not satisfied.
6. I watched, assisted and was there for a friend who had 6 knee replacements (Lyme related) over the years. The end of their problems that they were expecting with the surgery never came about.
Never were they pain free or stable when walking, or happy with the results. Seemed the surgeries caused more problems over and over again.
7. I had knee popping where the knee cap would slip- or pop- out of place with no warning. Talk about instant shocking severe pain! It would, because I would be on the ground pushing the lower leg to the side the mili-second it happened, pop back in place.
Finally, after several years, it stopped doing it by itself. It mostly happened when I would reach down toward the floor- in other words, from one movement or position.
8. Ask the chiropractor if a stiff knee brace would help as a temporary fix.
9. People who enter hospitals without infections, often get them while there. Personally I would avoid any surgery if not totally necessary.
Hope that gives you something to consider. Whatever you choose to do, I truly hope you are satisfied with your choice.
Posted by WPinVA (Member # 33581) on :
I would have the scope. I've had two knee surgeries - the first was a full on ACL reconstruction and a repair of the meniscus done at the same time. The second was a scope to remove scar tissue that formed after the reconstruction.
The scope is not a big deal; it certainly seems worth trying. Why would you want to do a huge knee replacement when you may not need to?
Also, I think you could have the popping, locking feeling with a torn meniscus if it is catching in the joints. I had that when the scar tissue had built up and it resolved after it was removed.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
You asked: How can removing a part improve knee function?
The answer is that if the meniscus has torn and a torn piece is getting into the joint as you walk, then it will cause a problem with that joint--as you describe (knee giving out) or as "locking" of the joint, etc.
Just like if you put a small piece of something into any joint. It is going to interfere with the function of that joint.
So, let them look around and cut off any shredded, dangling, interfering piece of meniscus that could be interfering with your knee joint.
The procedure is minor and so is the recovery.
You need to know that a knee replacement is NOWHERE near as good as your original knee. Nowhere near!
You will not ever want to kneel on it--so forget kneeling. It can swell from time to time if you overdo it. You will not want to walk for long distances on a knee replacement. So, no hiking the rest of your life.
My husband has a partial knee replacement and he says that the feel of it when you are walking is not like the natural knee. So, you have one natural knee and one fake knee which makes for somewhat uncomfortable walking.
No "spring" in the step or cushion on the replaced knee. So, you have an uneven-feeling gait.
His advice is to keep your natural knee as long as possible before getting a knee replacement. So, try everything else before considering the replacement.
My husband is happy with his replacement, but this is how he advises people who are having some problems with their knees.
When you can't stand the pain anymore and there is nothing else to try, then you do the replacement. It is a serious and irrevocable choice. So, make it your last choice.
The recovery from a knee replacement is painful and takes a good while. Then, there is therapy also. If you don't work through the pain, you will never be able to move your knee very well.
And, for anyone who has to get a knee replacement, get the absolute best doctor you can. Find out who is on the cutting edge of knee replacements. Who is coming up with new techniques and going around the country teaching other doctors how to do these techniques?
Be willing to travel to such a doctor or hospital. 1-2 hours is no big deal when you consider that you will only have to do that traveling for the surgery and a few follow up visits.
Your knee, however, will be with you always for better or worse. My husband's primary told him who the outstanding knee replacement doc was in our area.
Husband's result was so outstanding that when he went locally for his knee therapy (after surgery), the therapist called in all the other therapists to look at hubby's knee.
She said that signs of a great knee replacement are: a smooth movement of the knee, a straight incision, and great ability to bend the knee.
I have known people who regretted that they got their knee replaced because it doesn't move well (one guy had to go back to the doc to have it hit by a hammer because it got out of line and would not move). Others have said that they have more pain now than before the replacement.
Many can't bend their knee very far at all.
This is not my husband's case at all. The surgeon told us that he has to be sure to perfectly line up the replacement pieces in the knee. If he does that properly, then the knee will move smoothly and will be totally bendable.
If the doc doesn't do a good job of lining up the replacement pieces, then the knee will never work well.
Look online to see the pieces they put in and you will see that perfect alignment is the key to a successful knee replacement.
Posted by just don (Member # 1129) on :
Update to all-
Yes I guess I understand where you are all coming from. I was indeed skeptical of getting a new knee.
I never give it a thought to connect the chiro with my knee. like Tincup said I visited with my chiro while at my regular appointment today.
He wiggled and jiggled it and listened to my sxs.(unlike other docs)
Furthermore I connected WHY my thigh above this knee was pins and needles for years.
Chiro says the strength of the knee comes from the nerves from L-4 , L-5, and one other,,,same with thigh above the knee.
he has been working on l-4, L-5 area once to twice a week for a couple months now and it its better.
So his suggestion to "FIX" all the thigh, knee, and knee cap strength is to get an exercise bike...Yeah an exercise bike.
AND his instructions to USE it was equally amazing. He said to ride it forwards as much as possible,,,,AND then ride it backwards equally as far.
Never in my born days have I heard of riding a bike pedaling backward before. He said totally different muscles used backwards as forwards.
I dont doubt that to be true,,,my problem was LAST time I owned a exercise bicycle AND a tread walker,,,,,(drum roll) they made a very expensive coat rack,,,,like MOST of them do.
"HE said" buy one or come see me more often. Buy one and stay away mostly. His words,,,it will 'fix' all your problems in this area.
Long story short,,,,I am exercise bike shopping.
Doesnt hurt to try it for awhile before we go sawing any bones. WE SHALL SEE!!!
Posted by TrekCoord (Member # 48888) on :
You may not go far, but you'll make good time!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Excellent!!
There are also ergometer bikes that are awesome!
Posted by aklnwlf (Member # 5960) on :
I've gotten really excellent used equipment at thrift stores. Might want to check out goodwill or used sporting goods stores. I bought a great stairclimber at a thrift store for $10!
BTW, I had a pinched plica of my right knee from slipping on some wet grass. Google it and see if that's similar to what you've got going on. It'll flare up from time to time and I just wear a brace with metal stays and do the therapy they recommended. Once I strengthen my muscles a bit it usually stops getting stuck in the joint.
Good luck!
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Are you sure he meant an exercise bike?
My thought is it would be kind of fun watching you ride a regular bike backward.
Good to hear you can put the petal to the metal instead of the metal between the lower and upper leg!
Wishing you luck!
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
Have you had your knee evaluated by an orthopedic doctor, including MRI or similar testing done to see what's going on inside?
I have a sore knee and so had the above done, he could see what was happening, and referred me to PT to strengthen that side of my body, which I was basically favoring by not putting standing weight on it.
I've been in PT for 2 months now and am making some strength progress and the knee pain is diminishing as the rest of my muscles are starting to function again. It's progressive exercises that they know how to give us, and we need to go slowly.
Don't know whether you're a candidate for slow strengthening...?
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Hey Robin 12345678,
If you read Just Don's posts you'll have your answers. Glad your knees are doing better!
Posted by MADDOG (Member # 18) on :
I know nothing about knees,I did tear a ligament one time it healed on its own.
Be glad it isn't your wee nee that is the problem.
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