Arthroscopy or not?

[zephr]

Yep. there we go.
Really go for a 2nd opinion, especially if they can't actually specify what is wrong with the knee.

Just because surgery is an option doesn't mean it is a good one- it should be a last, worst option should everything else fail in the very long term. Once you take something away, it can no longer have the possibility of healing, because it ain't there.

[Henry Porter]

Well, thanks for all the comments and pms. I ended up getting a last minute appointment and so had to make a snap decision.
I'd not run for weeks and decided to go for a gentle flat road jog to see if it was any better- it was worse I only managed about half a mile! So under the knife I went. It already feels better walking about and It is only two days ago I had it done. I had torn the Meniscus. The consultant said he trimmed it and the back of the kneecap. He said I had a bit of wear and tear 1-2 out of a 4 point scale, commenting that it was remarkably little considering my age 53 and the activities I engage in. I will let you know how it all turns out which may help others in my dilemma in future.

[Mike T]

Well, thanks for all the comments and pms. I ended up getting a last minute appointment and so had to make a snap decision.
I'd not run for weeks and decided to go for a gentle flat road jog to see if it was any better- it was worse I only managed about half a mile! So under the knife I went. It already feels better walking about and It is only two days ago I had it done. I had torn the Meniscus. The consultant said he trimmed it and the back of the kneecap. He said I had a bit of wear and tear 1-2 out of a 4 point scale, commenting that it was remarkably little considering my age 53 and the activities I engage in. I will let you know how it all turns out which may help others in my dilemma in future.

Sounds like a good result, though clearly it is early days. Can you clarify whether or not you had a MRI scan - it sounds like you didn't - the thinking seems to have been "I need to see what is going on inside this knee, no matter what a MRI scan shows". Sometimes scans are done because they can be done, not because they are needed. Good luck, take it easy for a bit.

[Henry Porter]

Hi Mike, I didn't it was all very quick. Saw the specialist on the Thursday and was offered an arthroscopy on the following Wednesday. So I reckoned if I was going to do it get on with it. I read the advice and was 50/50 but the jog said to me "this is getting worse not better" Also a couple of people (very experienced vets) were on balance for it so.... I knew it was a risk but I'm 53 I need to get back at it or say goodbye and become a mountain biker. (I've put 10 pounds on since I injured it and feel like I've lost almost all my fitness)

Mark

[Henry Porter]

Just for the benefit of anyone considering this. I did it and was in for 39 minutes which is apparently quite long so he must have done a fair bit. I'm back running (if you can call 3 miles running) The main problem is the 10 pounds I've put on! It still is a bit uncomfortable. I realise now that my OP was a stupid question because no two ops will be the same.
The best bit of advice I got by PM was to get back at it as soon as possible- so true. If I'd struggled on with physio hoping it would slowly get better for a year or so I don't think I would have started again. At 53 with just 5 month off it is pretty tough as it is and i look back at stuff like the Three Shires and Langdale a year ago and can't even imagine being that fit again. (you can see the difference in muscle size and I never stopped being active) At the time I thought I was an unfit bloater! I'm taking it slowly with the target of matching my average time for Nine Standards on New Years Day.

[zephr]

Glad to hear that you are back on your feet. Good luck with the rebuilding of the running!

[Henry Porter]

well about 4 months after the meniscus repair I'm up to 20 miles a week and the knee is still improving. The reason for the post is a word of warning. Even though there is little pain you sub-consciously favour your other leg. I've just had a near miss after running down a bit of the West Highland Way at near race pace. The next day I hurt so much in my 'good leg' that I thought 'I've torn that one now!' However three rest days later and it feels OK so I'm hoping I have got away with it. I'm going to lay off for the rest of the week.

[smoggy]

well about 4 months after the meniscus repair I'm up to 20 miles a week and the knee is still improving. The reason for the post is a word of warning. Even though there is little pain you sub-consciously favour your other leg. I've just had a near miss after running down a bit of the West Highland Way at near race pace. The next day I hurt so much in my 'good leg' that I thought 'I've torn that one now!' However three rest days later and it feels OK so I'm hoping I have got away with it. I'm going to lay off for the rest of the week.

I could quote all of the above posts. I've been struggling with an increasingly persistent knee injury for the last 18 months. It's annoyed me. My wife has become irritated by my impatience to get out running again. I've been frustrated by the fact that when I start running again, it still hurts. I switch obsessively to the bike, but soon find that despite the effort I seem to be putting on weight. This last point upsets me because I'm losing my thin body that is increasingly hard to maintain at the age of 45.
Went to see my GP for results of knee x-ray today. I already know I've got damaged ligaments but was surprised by news that I've got start of osteoarthritis. I have a great GP who also runs and his advice is that you should keep moving, because once the surgeons start trimming bits of cartliage or washing out the knee there's no going back. It might work, but it might not. Risk worth taking? After all cartlaige (how do you spell this!) is a shock absorber. Once it's gone.....

[Henry Porter]

Take care, typically I am the last to listen to my own advice. The Op knee is great but the other is in real trouble following a 50% increase in mileage in one week and belting down the west highland way while 10 pounds overweight!

It doesn't feel like a tear as there is no clicking or popping but it is really enflamed so much so that a mile or so brisk walk yesterday left it so painful it was difficult to sleep. If I get away with this one I am going to be a very good boy.