Degenerating Medial Meniscus & stretched ACL at Femur

[Netty74]

Have been advised this from my MRI report - to have arthroscopy to clean knee and sort meniscus but I worry that the ACL will be ignored. When they test my knee through there tests they say my ligaments don't appear so bad. I play field hockey - but can't do that due to the pain - and the next 3 days struggling to walk! As an example - if I played at the back facing the play - I could possibly manage the basics - but moving further up the pitch makes it very painful.

This all commenced when after having my children (they now 6 & 4) I wanted to do a half marathon as well as get back to my hockey - every time I tried to commence a run - I would get sharp pain on inside of my knee and the ball of my foot would really hurt - each time I stopped and commence RICE - then I would try again a few weeks later, same result.

I commenced PT in September - made a little progress but then flatlined and feel as if going backwards - no progress but still painful and now affecting every day chores, if I could run, twist, change gear in my car, go up & down stairs without pain I wouldn't mind but every day my knee hurts and I don't think this much discomfort would come from just the meniscus - could someone please advise?

When they put the cameras in for the meniscus injury will they double check the ACL and repair if necessary then - or let me get over that op and bring me back at later date to fix - I am ready for the rehab - I have been waiting long enough to get back to my sports - I couldn't bare it if I could never play again or take my children skiing in years to come - let alone run up the street with them or play football with them.

Please help!!!! any advice greatly received!

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[Josephine]

Oh sweetheart! Of course the surgeon will also check your cruciates. He will check every bit of the joint and spend a while doing it as well! Knee surgeons have a check list of things they look at when they scope a knee and look in every nook and cranny.

But yes, believe me, that much pain can come from just a meniscus. Just been down that road myself! And the pain seems to permeate every other part of your leg as well. Are you taking pain killers on a regular basis? If not, you need to. It will help you be more mobile and keep your muscles in good condition for after the op.

However, I have to mention - from what you have described here, a 'degenerating meniscus and ACL' can sometimes be an indication of early arthritis. The picture of pain and disability you have is indicative as well so don't be too surprised if the surgeon mentions this after the scope.

However, don't despair - an arthroscopic tidy-up and wash-out could settle things for a good while. Good luck - and get those pain killers!

[Netty74]

Thanks for that - I have had the blood tests for arthritus (although maybe just rheumatoid?) but apparently they came back clear - not too long to wait now - just getting inpatient.

I did go back to doctors for painkillers - it affects near enough everything I do now!!

[Josephine]

Yes, the blood tests are for rheumatoid arthritis, not osteoarthritis. I wish you well.

[Netty74]

had the surgery on 31 March - smoothed down the meniscus on the femur, acl intact but stretched so building up my knee should be good. I still appear to be having issues with stabbing pain at bottom of my knee/top of shin, so I will mention that at outpatient. Walking upstairs no longer hurts so that is good and at least my knee is 50% better, maybe the bottom of my knee/top of shin will improve as the recovery proceeds further.