Stupid friggin' knee injury........advice?

jeffro503
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3/29/2012 7:19am Edited Date/Time 3/29/2012 9:29pm
Never had any problems with my knees until a couple months ago.....and the pain got bad enough where I needed to make an appointment at an orthopedic clinic up in Beaverton OR. About 3 weeks ago it finally buckled on me.....not sure what is wrong , but it's pointing to the meniscus or something like that. The pain rides right along side where the MCL travels.

I can't squat down from a standing position. I don't think I could ride either because I couldn't stand up from a seated position. The pain is on the inner part of my knee cap area and rides along to the top of the knee cap.

Broke quite a few bones in my day.....and this pain ( when it happens ) is right up there with the broken bones. It's like an ice pick shoved through the top part of my knee cap......friggin' hurts!

Question : If I need surgery.....will / can a doctor prescribe cortisone shots for me until I'm ready for the surgery? Does cortisone work on a damaged meniscus....if that is what it is?
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jeffro503
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3/29/2012 7:31am
OH....forgot to ask.....would something like cycling ( spin bike ) help keep the muscles around the injured knee stronger and possibly help? Or would that agitate it even more.
gsxrcr28
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3/29/2012 7:32am
If it is the meniscus the surgery is no big deal. I had it done on both knees, one about 5 years ago and one about 7 years ago, and they are both 100% now. the surgery is only about an hour and you should be walking within a couple days. Your best bet would be to get the MRI done and see whats up. Not sure about cortisone shots.
4stroke4DWIN
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3/29/2012 7:34am
I can't help much on what they can do for you, but I can tell you from experience that a Cortizone shot under the knee cap feels like liquid fire, Pinch Good luck healing up knee problems suck.
-eagle-
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3/29/2012 7:43am
If there's no ligament damage and just a meniscus cleanup you'll will be fine.
Sounds like the issue with how you explain it. Some shredded meniscus is like throwing a wrench in the gears.


Little scope work, then the bicycle and pool become your best friend.

The Shop

dl117
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3/29/2012 7:56am
I have had an ACL repair and when they were in there they found some damaged meniscus and I had very similar pain as you, it was from a high side then buckle. My MCL was stretched but was able to heal with thearapy after the ACL replacment.

As far as spin cycle before I tried that but to no avail due to swelling every time i did it.

Good luck that was my first knee problem and I hope my last. The nice thing is I got a good Dr that prescribed Cti knee brace when i was done, the nice custom one.
3/29/2012 8:22am Edited Date/Time 5/3/2012 12:03pm
jeffro503 wrote:
OH....forgot to ask.....would something like cycling ( spin bike ) help keep the muscles around the injured knee stronger and possibly help? Or would that agitate...
OH....forgot to ask.....would something like cycling ( spin bike ) help keep the muscles around the injured knee stronger and possibly help? Or would that agitate it even more.
.
Mr Regis
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3/29/2012 9:01am
jeffro503 wrote:
Never had any problems with my knees until a couple months ago.....and the pain got bad enough where I needed to make an appointment at an...
Never had any problems with my knees until a couple months ago.....and the pain got bad enough where I needed to make an appointment at an orthopedic clinic up in Beaverton OR. About 3 weeks ago it finally buckled on me.....not sure what is wrong , but it's pointing to the meniscus or something like that. The pain rides right along side where the MCL travels.

I can't squat down from a standing position. I don't think I could ride either because I couldn't stand up from a seated position. The pain is on the inner part of my knee cap area and rides along to the top of the knee cap.

Broke quite a few bones in my day.....and this pain ( when it happens ) is right up there with the broken bones. It's like an ice pick shoved through the top part of my knee cap......friggin' hurts!

Question : If I need surgery.....will / can a doctor prescribe cortisone shots for me until I'm ready for the surgery? Does cortisone work on a damaged meniscus....if that is what it is?
Jeffro, I am with a very very similar problem...
I just returned from a MRI now...
The result will come on april 3.
My doctor, don't want to make any conclusion before MRI, but he believe i don't need surgery.
He thinks after many impact and small crashes i probably have some weakness and small damage in the knee that can be treated without surgery.
The only difference is that i have a big swelling now...This swelling is caused by some extra fluid that the body prepared to compensate the small damage i have...

I will send you some news when i have it...
3/29/2012 9:11am Edited Date/Time 5/3/2012 12:03pm
Mr Regis wrote:
Jeffro, I am with a very very similar problem... I just returned from a MRI now... The result will come on april 3. My doctor, don't...
Jeffro, I am with a very very similar problem...
I just returned from a MRI now...
The result will come on april 3.
My doctor, don't want to make any conclusion before MRI, but he believe i don't need surgery.
He thinks after many impact and small crashes i probably have some weakness and small damage in the knee that can be treated without surgery.
The only difference is that i have a big swelling now...This swelling is caused by some extra fluid that the body prepared to compensate the small damage i have...

I will send you some news when i have it...
.
3/29/2012 9:18am Edited Date/Time 3/29/2012 9:19am
Dude, don't use cortisone. Deal with the discomfort until you can get it properly fixed. If you don't get it fixed, focus on strengthening your leg. Strong muscles around the knee will help reduce discomfort. Do balance exercises where you stand on your hurt leg on a balance board. This will help strengthen the finer muscles in your leg and knee.

Cortisone is horrible and should only be used in desperate situations (frankly, never) and never for lengthy periods of time. It softens tissue and will be worse for you in the long run.
jchek779
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3/29/2012 10:02am
I'm actually headed for my first cortisone shot in about 30 minutes. I've been having pain just above the knee (VMO) since August. The previous liquid fire reference has me 'super pumped' about this shot.
txmxer
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3/29/2012 10:08am
Obviously you need to see the Ortho and get his opinion.

For rehab, my doctors have always been high on cycling for strengthening the muscles around the knee. There are a bunch more exercises that PT will put you through as well. Do them religiously and they will fix you up. But you probably don't want to push too hard on your own until you talk to the doc because you don't want to cause further injury. If you don't what's damaged, you don't know how to help it.

Finally, for knee pain they have shots--not cortisone--that can help lubricate the joint to help with stuff like arthritis. Your doc will know what to do.
GuyB
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3/29/2012 10:10am
My advice would be to not just find an orthopedic guy (though there are some good ones), but also someone that specializes in sports medicine. They always seem to be a lot more in tune with sports injuries, and (in my experience) are more aggressive in rehab.
mxb2
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3/29/2012 10:21am
GuyB wrote:
My advice would be to not just find an orthopedic guy (though there are some good ones), but also someone that specializes in sports medicine. They...
My advice would be to not just find an orthopedic guy (though there are some good ones), but also someone that specializes in sports medicine. They always seem to be a lot more in tune with sports injuries, and (in my experience) are more aggressive in rehab.
X2, i love the medical advice from non doctors LOL.
3/29/2012 10:40am
jeffro503 wrote:
Never had any problems with my knees until a couple months ago.....and the pain got bad enough where I needed to make an appointment at an...
Never had any problems with my knees until a couple months ago.....and the pain got bad enough where I needed to make an appointment at an orthopedic clinic up in Beaverton OR. About 3 weeks ago it finally buckled on me.....not sure what is wrong , but it's pointing to the meniscus or something like that. The pain rides right along side where the MCL travels.

I can't squat down from a standing position. I don't think I could ride either because I couldn't stand up from a seated position. The pain is on the inner part of my knee cap area and rides along to the top of the knee cap.

Broke quite a few bones in my day.....and this pain ( when it happens ) is right up there with the broken bones. It's like an ice pick shoved through the top part of my knee cap......friggin' hurts!

Question : If I need surgery.....will / can a doctor prescribe cortisone shots for me until I'm ready for the surgery? Does cortisone work on a damaged meniscus....if that is what it is?
I rehabbed a knee by going to a pool and using swim fins, it seemed to work out the knee better. Good luck
MXATC
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3/29/2012 10:55am
GuyB wrote:
My advice would be to not just find an orthopedic guy (though there are some good ones), but also someone that specializes in sports medicine. They...
My advice would be to not just find an orthopedic guy (though there are some good ones), but also someone that specializes in sports medicine. They always seem to be a lot more in tune with sports injuries, and (in my experience) are more aggressive in rehab.
+2
Racer92
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3/29/2012 11:08am
gsxrcr28 wrote:
If it is the meniscus the surgery is no big deal. I had it done on both knees, one about 5 years ago and one about...
If it is the meniscus the surgery is no big deal. I had it done on both knees, one about 5 years ago and one about 7 years ago, and they are both 100% now. the surgery is only about an hour and you should be walking within a couple days. Your best bet would be to get the MRI done and see whats up. Not sure about cortisone shots.
^ This

Ive had both my medials trimmed, it takes 30 minutes to do, 30 minutes to wake up good, and you are home in 3 hours or so.

Rehab takes about 4-6 weeks til total function is restored.
scooter5002
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3/29/2012 11:35am
Bummer Jeffro. Been there, done that. Bicycle and get it looked at ASAP. As GuyB said, by a specialist. They are just so much more in tune with the needs of injuries like that. Good luck, man.
gsxrcr28
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3/29/2012 12:23pm
GuyB wrote:
My advice would be to not just find an orthopedic guy (though there are some good ones), but also someone that specializes in sports medicine. They...
My advice would be to not just find an orthopedic guy (though there are some good ones), but also someone that specializes in sports medicine. They always seem to be a lot more in tune with sports injuries, and (in my experience) are more aggressive in rehab.
This is very good advise.

The first orthopedic I went to didn't know what the problem was, wanted a MRI and everything was a little vague. The second one was the Miami Dolphins orthopedic and the father of NFL quarterback Danny Kanell, and as soon as I talked to him he knew exactly what the problem was, said I didn't need the MRI or pre-op and scheduled the surgery for a few days later, and did the other knee a couple years later.

Both knees have been great ever since.
DrSweden
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3/29/2012 1:39pm
Bummer Jeffro. Been there, done that. Bicycle and get it looked at ASAP. As GuyB said, by a specialist. They are just so much more in...
Bummer Jeffro. Been there, done that. Bicycle and get it looked at ASAP. As GuyB said, by a specialist. They are just so much more in tune with the needs of injuries like that. Good luck, man.
Second that.

It's bad to give general advice on the web, without seeing the knee. It could be so many things. I assume you are not sick and have an infection in your knee at least? Dunno how the service look in your hood, but here in Sweden, with a prescription from GP, or an ortho (like one you could temporary meet at the ER because you go there for the pain), you are supposed to be welcomed to one of these specialized centers. It even works to go there without a subscription. They are able to fix damaged meniscuses locally, after doing an MR (which sounds to be your issue(?), and if confusion, should be able to push you into the right direction.

The point with cortisone is to halt inflammation, caused by arthritis (most often), and if that would be the issue, it would create excessive fluid that would increase the pressure and cause pain. But there's no information that you have an actual inflammation? Sure, you have a damage, and something is going on, but cortisone at this point, is pointless.

Dig out a centre, or an specialist in your neck of the wood. He can also subscribe you with adequate pain killers.
jeffro503
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3/29/2012 8:37pm
Some great advice here guys....thank you. I took off for work right after I posted this , this morning. My appointment is at 9:00am tomorrow morning and I'll arrive there at about 8:15am because I guess there is about 6 pages of paperwork to fill out.

We will see what the doc has to say and I'll also see if he can steer me in the direction of a good sports therapist weather I need surgery or not. It's bumming me out that it is preventing me from riding my bike , but it's bumming me out even worse because it's affecting the way I have to work during the day and everyday life.

Thanks again guys.
MXFAN86
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3/29/2012 8:50pm
Heal soon buddy
4stroke4DWIN
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3/29/2012 8:54pm
jchek779 wrote:
I'm actually headed for my first cortisone shot in about 30 minutes. I've been having pain just above the knee (VMO) since August. The previous liquid...
I'm actually headed for my first cortisone shot in about 30 minutes. I've been having pain just above the knee (VMO) since August. The previous liquid fire reference has me 'super pumped' about this shot.
It might not be that bad depending where they stick it lol, I had to get the needle under my knee cap not around it in the muscle. Straight under. Liquid fire my friend.
sparker245
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3/29/2012 9:17pm
I can speak to the Cortisone as I've had three injections to my left knee in the past year. The first two were amazing. Doc used a little numbing jell on the knee before the injection. The Cortisone also had some Lidocaine mixed in which numbed the knee even further. It still hurt a little, but nothing major. I walked out of the office feeling GREAT! After the Lidocaine wore off in a few hours the knee began to hurt a little more, but by the next day it felt really good. Felt good for three months. Best thing I ever did.

The second one worked the same. Unfortunately, the third one wasn't nearly as effective, and hurt pretty bad for almost a week after the injection, and it never did get to the point of feeling good like the first two injections. Not sure why. Same location, same Cortisone, same doc.....
jmc2
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3/29/2012 9:29pm
GuyB wrote:
My advice would be to not just find an orthopedic guy (though there are some good ones), but also someone that specializes in sports medicine. They...
My advice would be to not just find an orthopedic guy (though there are some good ones), but also someone that specializes in sports medicine. They always seem to be a lot more in tune with sports injuries, and (in my experience) are more aggressive in rehab.
MXATC wrote:
+2
+3

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