Torn Meniscus - probably

Hi Everyone,

A little over two weeks ago I was stretching after a workout on the elliptical machine (nothing out of the ordinary) and noticed a searing pain on the inside of my knee.  Having been a college athlete and knowing somtimes things hurt I wasn't that concerned.  As the days passed my symptoms and pain got worse and worse instead of better.  After a week I contacted my primary doctor who thought I had a tear in my medial meniscus.  He sent me to the orthopedic surgeon who pretty much confirmed that diagnosis but sent me for an MRI for more complete information.  He seems to think I will need arthroscopic surgery to fix the problem. 

I had an MRI last night and have an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon on Thursday morning to discuss the specific problem and what the treatment will be. 

I know I have seen other posts on here about people having knee problems after their WLS.  I find it odd that I was a division one athlete and carried around 100 extra pounds and never had trouble and now that I am a normal weight I tear my meniscus during a routine aerobic workout.  This is messed up. 

Has anyone else had experience with this since their weight loss surgery?  I would love to hear some stories about what your recoery and rehad was like.  I really miss my workouts which have stopped since I injured myself. 

Thanks!
Joylyn

I've had absolutely no experience with this, but I wanted to wish you luck and a speedy recovery. 

Thanks for your support Julia!  I appreciate it. 

Take care and happy holidays!

Joylyn

Let's face it, when you weighed 100+ pounds more chances are you weren't working out like you are now, right? And now that you feel better and can do more you are - but tears happen and the best thing to do is seek good medical attention and get it taken care of. You won't be out of commission that long and there are other things you can do to keep your fitness level up even while recuperating. Trust me, they'll have you in physical therapy before you can get the words out.

My knee problems occurred long before my WLS - if I had had WLS 10 years ago I'd probably still be sporting my own, original knees, but now I'm bionic and life goes on. And I can definitely work out more now than I ever could before and do more now, and yes, sometimes I feel it, too.

So listen to the surgeon(s) - get the problem taken care of before it gets worse because those types of injuries do not fix themselves. And relax - you're not going to fall off the exercise wagon - if anything you'll be even more anxious to get back on it once the knee is feeling better!!

Take care - keep us posted - and best of luck with the knee.

Good advice.  I definitely can't wait to get back to my regular exercise.  I will try to remember to update everyone after I meet with the surgeon on Thursday morning. 

Thanks!

Joylyn - Kathy had some great comments. Also - 100 pounds heavier you had "cushioning" in those joints from the fat. I am not sure if we can take glucosamine but it might be a good thing to ask the surgeon.

Oh and while I didn't have knee issues I had severe back issues. I Was 6 months out, down 100 pounds and couldn't stand up straight, I could barely walk, couldn't lift my feet because my back hurt so badly. I went through a host of Drs, cortisone injections you name it, here I was told it is a lot about posture, when you loose the weight you carry yourself differently. Also, your joints aren't as padded so things can get hurt more easily.

Good luck and hope that this is corrected quickly and as painlessly as possible for you!

keep us posted.

Liz

Joslyn I had a friend of mine's son who had that from a football injury and he went to the Rothman Insitute at Jefferson and this was recently and is doing great. I am with everyone here your weight probably "cushioned the knee" Recovery is intenstive theraphy they send a machine home and it moves your leg/knee and an ice treatment which looks like a thermos you fill it with ice and water and wrap it in your knee and the icepack inflates and makes your knee feel better. Then its to physical theraphy. I am scheduling my shoulder surgery at Jefferson with a doctor from Rothman ASAP as I just got cardiac clearance as I had a catheder done today and my cardiologist said ok.  I think you knee injury may have been caused by impact such as possible landing the wrong way but its treatable.  Let us know how you make out and good luck. Take care.

Thanks for all the great advice.  I guess I hadn't thought about the fat also cushioning my joints.  I went to college on a track and field scholarship and did crazy workouts every day.  That's why I was so surprised to hurt myself now on an elliptical machine!!!

I appreciate your concern and words of advice.  I have my appointment with the orthopedic surgeon tomorrow.  I can't wait to get started with whatever the treatment is so my knee starts to feel better. 

I will put out an update tomorrow.

Thanks again!
Joylyn

Joylyn I don't know who your ortho is but just letting you know Rothman opened a new office I think near you also. If you are not happy with who you are with.  I was told that they are top notch by my original ortho who operated on my left shoulder last feb. and I was doing good.  He found bone spur, scar tissue and bursitis and then I was rear-ended in Jersey and ended up with frozen shoulder from the car accident impact and he manipulated it and I ended up with frozen shoulder again and he sent me to Rothman and I am having my shoulder operated this coming up wednesday. Hope you feel better soon take care.

The old gal at Rothman is awesome. If I remember her name it`s Freiman