View Full Version : That pesky meniscus!
Sierra Echo
10-03-2011, 16:04
So I started my GA section hike on Saturday. I had some random knee pains which I thought was my tendonitis kicking up. When I woke up Sunday at the Plumorchard shelter, my knee was swollen and there was a sharp pain everytime I bent it. I ended up calling my Dad and telling him to come pick me up. Today the ortho told me that he thought I had torn my meniscus and I have to have a MRI on thursday. After that we will discuss if it needs to be tacked back up. Anyone else had problems with this??
Sorry to hear that SE, follow your Doc's advice. I used to have terrible knee pain, before poles, knee exercises and joint supplements. I hope yours goes away with therapy. I can remember one hike and going down hill, i thought it was bone on bone, felt like my hiking days were over! That was many years ago and many mile later, I do not have any pains.
Sierra Echo
10-03-2011, 16:16
I hope to be that way too solobip! Both my trekking poles broke on this journey as did my camera. It was doomed to begin with!
Spirit Walker
10-03-2011, 16:35
My husband has had arthoscopic meniscus repair twice on his right knee. Once it happened doing trail work, the other on an attempted PCT thruhike. Not happiness. It's not a bad surgery and rehab is pretty quick and easy.
johnnybgood
10-03-2011, 16:35
Take 2 aspirin and call me in the morning ... No seriously , take an anti-inflammatory for the swelling and don't do any exercise that puts any strain on your knee. That includes hiking, Missy !! Sorry ... I've always wanted to say that.
Have the MRI done and seek the advice of the Orthopod seeing you. I too had the same symtoms a few years ago followed up with an MRI that showed a " fragmented floating particles" that needed to be scraped out with a procedure known as a arthroscopy.
After opting to try a steroid shot and resting my knee I have since been hiking pain free.
I can suggest you see the Orthopedic Specialist and ask what options you may have . If your knee does require surgery then by all means have it done ,an Arthroscopic procedure is one where you're be up and hiking again in no time.
Sierra. Johnnybgood's advice is sound, get it checked out follow with artho surgery if needed . Do your rehab at home and at the PT facility 110%, you get back what you put into it. You will be hiking again in a month or so and happy you got things straightened out.
I've got one now (torn meni) that I was diagnosed with back in July. I limped for about a month, got MRI and recommendation for surgery, and then it stopped hurting - so I've never gone back and had the surgery. Started playing soccer again in mid August with no residual pain.
IMO, I'd give it some time. But then, I hear the surgery is pretty minor and effective, and it probably allows you to enjoy the fall earlier than you otherwise would. Good luck!
Sierra Echo
10-03-2011, 20:39
Is it the kind of surgery I would have to be put to sleep for???
Johnny, I'm LOL out the no hiking missy!
Chaco Taco
10-03-2011, 21:23
I had a spinal block when I got mine done. They gave me the gas and I actually watched the whole thing. They give you the option of being put under or spinal. I was back to doing exercise within 2-3 weeks. Will take awhile to get full strength. Ice it for now to reduce swelling
Sierra Echo
10-03-2011, 23:10
What is a spinal block? Like an epideral??
What is a spinal block? Like an epideral??
Yes you are correct, a wonderful thing for folks who don't mind hearing the Dr. say "Ooops, Uh Oh, Oh my and DOH!!" or for the very curious. Also good if you don't respond well to genneral anesthesia.
mark schofield
10-05-2011, 07:36
After arthroscopic surgery and cortizone (one shot), my knees still hurt going downhill, even with poles. The past few years I'v have gotten "SYNVIC" injections (a joint lubricant) which has worked very well for me.
Blissful
10-05-2011, 20:25
I'd wait until your MRI diagnosis before you begin talking surgery. Nothing is confirmed yet, right? Hang in there, one step at a time... :)
Sierra Echo
10-05-2011, 20:38
You're right Blissful. I have nothing to do but sit around and think. And eat. I'm going cruh-razy!!
Gray Blazer
10-05-2011, 21:42
Hope you get good results from your MRI. I had my ACL replaced (cadaver) and meniscus repaired. I went on a preplanned hiking trip in the Nanatahalas two weeks later. The funny thing is it never got above freezing for four days in a row and went down in the single digits at night. I guess it was like having a continuous ice pack on my knee. The knee didn't bother me at all. On the other hand, that summer I hiked from Dick's Creek Gap to Plum Orchard and had to give up and go back cuz the knee was killing me. It's fine now. I even play basketball.
Had my torn meniscus repaired in January of this year. It was a large tear and had blood supply near by and he was able to stitch it instead of removing it.
Listen to his recovery instructions. You won't, neither did I. I hike on mine and it will swell and aches. I spoke with him about it and he said a year to be pain free and back to normal.
Yes they knock you out for the surgery, I was off work 3 weeks, I was walking on it in a couple of days. You will not do any meaningful hiking for 3 or 4 months. I did not need much in the way of pain killers after the surgery. Just aleve.
Lots of ice for the swelling.
Pedaling Fool
10-06-2011, 09:04
Weightlifting equals lifelong strong knees. And no need to support the drug cartels, AKA pharmaceutical industry, with your hard-earned money. http://www.topendsports.com/fitness/technique-squat.htm
Bear Cables
10-06-2011, 21:38
Weightlifting equals lifelong strong knees. And no need to support the drug cartels, AKA pharmaceutical industry, with your hard-earned money. http://www.topendsports.com/fitness/technique-squat.htm
Just be sure to include strengthing the hamstrings as well as the quads and include flexiblity. If you only train the quads and ingore the complimenting muscles of the hamstrings you end up putting the knee at risk. My routine is reformer pilates that covers strength and flexiblity of the entire body.
Sierra Echo
10-07-2011, 07:06
I had my MRI yesterday. That wasn't much fun. Luckily they only jammed me halfway into the machine and didn't even make me take out my piercings! They gave me the film and I go to the Dr Monday (on my birthday!) to discuss the results.
Pedaling Fool
10-07-2011, 08:51
Just be sure to include strengthing the hamstrings as well as the quads and include flexiblity. If you only train the quads and ingore the complimenting muscles of the hamstrings you end up putting the knee at risk. My routine is reformer pilates that covers strength and flexiblity of the entire body.Totally agree. I believe there is no one exercise/activity to keep the body (or any part) strong.
Gray Blazer
10-07-2011, 09:00
Luckily they only jammed me halfway into the machine and didn't even make me take out my piercings!
I am a freak cuz I don't have any piercings or tatoos. Happy Birthday in advance and a very happy unbirthday today. I hope the Dr. gives you a good present on Monday (as far as MRI results that is)!
Pedaling Fool
10-07-2011, 09:17
I guess I'm not the only one intrigued by these piercings; yes, an image did jump in my head, but I'll keep it to myself:D
johnnybgood
10-07-2011, 16:39
I had my MRI yesterday. That wasn't much fun. Luckily they only jammed me halfway into the machine and didn't even make me take out my piercings! They gave me the film and I go to the Dr Monday (on my birthday!) to discuss the results. They gave you a CD right ? they only needed an image of your knee , no need to take out piercings .
I guess I'm not the only one intrigued by these piercings; yes, an image did jump in my head, but I'll keep it to myself:D :-? A Magnetic Resonage Image ?? :)
Sierra Echo
10-10-2011, 10:36
AWESOME NEWS!!!!! No major damage to my knee! No surgery required!! It was a case of over doing it. Ive been fitted for a hiking brace and should receive that in a few days. In two weeks I can start hiking again, but need to start off in flatter areas and work my way up!!
John Gault: I'm not fessing up to where my piercings are! That would take the fun out of your wonderings! :P
Glad to hear it. Reminded me of when I hurt my knees. Take it easy, and when you are ready, try leg exercises to get back strong and have fun.
What a great Birthday present to get Sierra. Now the great thing about icing your knee on your Birthday is it helps to keep your drink cold. lol Your job should you choose to accept it is to do your therapy and excersises correctly. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! :banana:banana:banana
johnnybgood
10-10-2011, 17:45
Wonderful news Sierra and Happy Birthday !!
Come to Virginia to hike . Haven't you heard , it's all flat. :rolleyes:
I had a torn meniscus a few years back. Got the arthroscopic (or however you spell it) repair. Was rock climbing within two weeks, and skiing within three. No issues since. If you need it, it should be pretty straightforward.
Sierra Echo
10-10-2011, 20:28
Thanks for all the birthday wishes everyone! Getting the good news today was the best present of all!
Hey SE. If you need to get in some rehab hiking the terrain between our house at Grassy Gap and Justus Creek would be great for you. My wife and I are up at Grassy Gap at least every weekend and hike somewhere everyday. Come join us. We can plan some good rehab hikes for you. If interested send me a PM and I will get you my contact info and directions.
Glad it appears to be nothing serious and Happy Birthday.