Physical Therapy Won't Fix This

It appears that I have bilateral medial meniscus tears in both knees. My physical therapist is 99% sure and he's been doing this for over 30 years, so he's most likely right. He did a more thorough exam than ANY of the orthopedists I went to did. I really dislike the Ortho people here in my town.

So the next step is MRI of both knees, then we'll go from there. I will probably have the arthroscopic "trimming" down of the meniscus which will greatly reduce the inflammation. I already know who I'll have do it...he's in the same area where my WLS surgeon is, very reputable and I know a couple people who have had him. It's an easy procedure...if I got it on Friday I would be back to work on Monday. I'll be hobbling some, but hell, I'm hobbling now, so that won't really make much difference to me.

I'm hoping that getting one knee done will do me. The problem I'm having now is when one side flares up, I overcompensate on the other side...then when the flare up is over, the side I overcompensated on flares up. I've been in this endless loop for months, and now that I can't use NSAIDs, the pain is really wearing me down. I'm going to see if I can get the NSAID cream (Voltaren?); I hear that it helps quite a bit. It's available OTC in Canada...MUCH cheaper than here. I may have to take a little road trip...I could get there and back in one day!

So, that's the long and short of it. Hoping that they'll get me in for the MRI sooner rather than later.

That's a bummer. My husband tore his meniscus on a treadmill years ago and it wasn't bad enough for surgery, but it took him a long time to recover. I hope things work out well for you.

Regarding the NSAID cream--those will also thin the lining of your stomach. With NSAIDs, it doesn't matter if you swallow them, rub them on or put them up your butt--they can all cause ulcers, so proceed with caution.

Good luck with the MRI--I hope the tear isn't too awful!

Jen

Aw, man! I'm so sorry you have to deal with this. Sucks that you have to put energy into it, but you gotta do what you gotta do, I guess.

Aw, Tess. I am so sorry. When it rains, it pours right? Volterran cream is amazing, but be careful that stuff can be absorbed and it's hard on the kidneys.

You are strong though and get all the help and relief you can to not let the pain eat away at you. NSAIDs were always my go to for pain, or sucks not having them.

Hopefully the MRI will give you better information and your orthopedist will have a good plan of action for you as well as a diagnosis.

Be careful with the NSAID cream - it's systemic and can still screw your system up. You might be better off with an actual steroid. Ice (and/or heat) can also help with the pain and swelling.

The MRI will tell the true story! I saw 3 orthopedic surgeons who told me I had a torn meniscus in both knees and needed surgery and then when I'm older I will need to have it done again. I was devastated. I got my MRI and that wasn't the case at all. I have no cartilage in either knee so it was the grinding of bone on bone that was causing such pain. It was from playing sports as a kid and being MO. So it might not be that so just wait until you get the MRI to see what is causing you such pain.

Jenorama is right about the NSAID cream still a NSAID. Check with your Bariatric office. Mine said no.

Even if you have meniscus tears that is not a guarantee they are going to recommend surgery. I recently had a double meniscus tear from a car accident but no surgery. I ended up having gel shots. They have helped.

Yes, I've heard the messages on the NSAID cream. I won't be using that. Thanks to all who shared about it!

NYMom, did you have meniscus tears in both knees? My problem is that I do, and the flare ups keep moving from leg to leg...one leg compensates while the other is flared, then that leg flares because of the over-compensation. It's discouraging...but many people have it much worse. I'll get through it.

Today, both knees are feeling ok. I'm just really hoping that they'll stay that way for awhile as I'll be out of town for work most of next week.

You mentioned that you got gel shots? What kind of gel? Yikes, I had an injection years and years ago (or they were removing fluid, can't really remember) after a ski wipe-out...I remember it as being one of the most painful things I'd ever experienced up to that time.

I had a double tear in one knee. I can't tell you what kind of gel, but it was a series of 3 shots, one week apart.

The shot was really nothing. I've had flu shots that hurt worse.

It has helped