Possible Lateral Meniscus Tear?

Hi I'm new here :) and am hoping someone can shed some light on my injury. Sorry if this is a bit long winded.

I fell over on the snow/ice back in Jan 2009 my left knee sort of went out to the side and I felt something go 'ping' just above my knee. At the time I thought I pulled a muscle. When I got home my knee was swollen and I took some painkillers. It was the weekend and the GP surgery was shut.
Went to the GP on the Monday who prescribed painkillers and a weeks rest. When I returned to work I still continued to take pain relief as I was in quite a bit of pain but could'nt take anymore time off work.

My symptoms are clicking/clunking knee, burning/pain on the lateral side, a lump just above my knee on the lateral side (would this be the LCL and possible scar tissue?), trouble going up/down stairs/slopes and my knee constantly aches.

After 6 months I could'nt take anymore pain and was referred to AMPS, had an assessment, ultrasound/massage and injection. Had another 5 physio sessions with homework. Discharged even though things had'nt got better. Back to the GP again this time with right knee pain. Referred to Physio again. Physio worked on right knee for one session and then 5 more sessions on my left knee.

Still no recovery so back to the GP June 2010. This time he finally decided to refer me to Orthopaedic Consultant. Had x rays which showed nothing. Saw the Consultant who did a few a tests and said I've torn my cartilage and said I needed an MRI.

From my symptoms do you think its my Meniscus or something else?

Got my MRI results yesterday. I've a tear of the anterior horn on the lateral meniscus and an associated cyst. Awaiting operation date.
How long is recovery for this type of injury and is there anything I can be doing now to strengthen my leg up before the operation? I've a static exercise cycle and have been doing 5km on that every day over the past couple of weeks.

Recovery varies. But you'll be walking soon enough and back to things in 4-6 weeks providing there's no bone damage causing the cyst. Don't bother trying the strengthen before the OP as the pain and swelling will be inhibiting the leg muscles right now. Cycling in a pain free range is useful to keep 'confidence in the joint' (therefore brain). That might let you crack on with rehab a little faster.

ya as physiobob said let done with ur OP then we can help u s part of the rehb and yeah hardly it will take 4-6 year 2 come out of it