knee update

[juldea]

I'm broken!

I have a cane. I got x-rays, and there's no bone damage. However I need to get an MRI now to confirm or deny the idea of a torn meniscus. I also have anti-inflammatories and a prescription for physical therapy.

Yay, insurance.

And dude, a cane.

However, this is all very sucky when it gets around to walking up two flights of stairs to get home, and THREE flights if I want to do laundry. Anyone wanna come be my maid for the weekend? (londo gets first dibs)

Comments

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the advice - I was actually curious if the PT was something I should wait until after the surgery to do... guess not! I'll find out about it ASAP.

[tangledindreams.livejournal.com]

They will almost definately prescribe PT after the surgery. DO IT. And the exercises they will give you in the hospital. This is important as you have to regain the strength in it. Not sure if anybody explained anything to you about it - so I don't mean to sound repetitive...but your meniscus is the cushion and what they do is snip cartiledge that is frayed and causing the pain. It is primarily the job of the menisci to function as load distributors when we walk or run. If the menisci were not there, the articular cartilage would be too heavily loaded and could be damaged. The menisci also help to keep the knee stable. You probably had done something to it years ago and then the shoe incident just made the fray of cartildge slip out of the ligament.

Good luck!

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Well I was given a PT prescription already, but I didn't know whether I should start it now or wait until we know exactly what's wrong...

[tangledindreams.livejournal.com]

Oh..and I phrased that wrong. Some surgeons will try to talk you into doing PT in lieu of surgery and seeing if that helps. It may, but in 1-2 years you will require surgery anyhow. Better to have the surgery earlier than later (as with age - and I know you aren't old, but still) it is easier to heal. Also - ask the surgeon how many cuts he does. My first surgeon did 3 holes and my second did 2 and I healed better with just the 2.

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Heh, I should read both comments before responding, I guess. ;) But yeah, the meniscus thing isn't definite yet... but I guess the PT will definitely be necessary if that's the case, because if something weird is wrong I'll need to figure out how to use my knee anyway... heh... thanks.