[nadsta]

After twisting my knee in an accident 3 years ago I tore my meniscus (according to an MRI). I now have the option of arthroscopy. Whilst clinical trials have shown arthroscopy for degenerative meniscus damage has no proven benefit , I’m told traumatic damage can be addressed successfully.

If anyone has had the op, I’d love to hear your views.

I have a dull ache in the knee most of the time, but it’s not deal breaking. The knee stiffens up after sleeping, driving, periods of inactivity. Occasional twinges or surges of pain but they go quickly. The knee can’t take any twisting or side loads so skiing etc is out for now. I can’t run on it for long but afaik it doesn’t affect my cycling unless I do a really big ride (Dragon) when it can get a bit painful.

The tear if left alone shouldn’t detonate further so do I leave well alone or face the knife?

Topic

[nadsta]

Batchy wrote:nadsta

Batchy wrote:

nadsta wrote:

Well I was about to go ahead with the traditional arthroscopy when a club mate told me about stem cell treatments that will soon be available both privately and on the NHS. Approval is imminent, costs are approx £3.8k for 30 minute day surgery. Huge win for the NHS are the new treatment should drastically reduce the need for knee replacements. So pending a reply from a surgeon who’s going to specialise in this I may well change course.

That’s about 800 quid more than a knee replacement costs the NHS ?

Could be, I read the fact that knee replacements need re-doing (hence not generally offering them to people under 50) plus the lack of an overnight stay meant it was cheaper.

[Batchy]

nadsta wrote:Well I was about

nadsta wrote:

Well I was about to go ahead with the traditional arthroscopy when a club mate told me about stem cell treatments that will soon be available both privately and on the NHS. Approval is imminent, costs are approx £3.8k for 30 minute day surgery. Huge win for the NHS are the new treatment should drastically reduce the need for knee replacements. So pending a reply from a surgeon who’s going to specialise in this I may well change course.

That’s about 800 quid more than a knee replacement costs the NHS ?

[nadsta]

Well I was about to go ahead
Well I was about to go ahead with the traditional arthroscopy when a club mate told me about stem cell treatments that will soon be available both privately and on the NHS. Approval is imminent, costs are approx £3.8k for 30 minute day surgery. Huge win for the NHS are the new treatment should drastically reduce the need for knee replacements. So pending a reply from a surgeon who’s going to specialise in this I may well change course.

[BrokenBootneck]

Just had 15% of my meniscus
Just had 15% of my meniscus removed (obviously a weight weenie/marginal gains thing

[BrokenBootneck]

I seem to be having issues
I seem to be having issues posting a full reply. Just had 15% of my meniscus removed (obviously a weight weenie/marginal gains thing

[themartincox]

yeah, both knees had it done,
yeah, both knees had it done, about 15 years ago in my twenties.

no sport was possible before, walking was a pain, sleeping with knees unaligned wasn’t possible.

After giving it a good recovery period walking was fine again.

took up cycling a few years later, all has been fine.

keep an ear out for body feel, it’s probably worth getting a bike/shoe fit sorted

good luck

[BrokenBootneck]

Just had 15% of my meniscus
Just had 15% of my meniscus removed (obviously a weight weenie/marginal gains thing

[BrokenBootneck]

Just had 15% of my meniscus
Just had 15% of my meniscus removed (obviously a weight weenie/marginal gains thing

[BrokenBootneck]

Just had 15% of my meniscus
Just had 15% of my meniscus removed (obviously a weight weenie/marginal gains thing

[BrokenBootneck]

Just had 15% of my meniscus
Just had 15% of my meniscus removed (obviously a weight weenie/marginal gains thing

[BrokenBootneck]

Just had 15% of my meniscus
Just had 15% of my meniscus removed (obviously a weight weenie/marginal gains thing

[Poptart242]

Late to the party on this
Late to the party on this one. Overall you’ll be fine. Mines was in a bad way after a football injury at 18, had it operated on at 20. Couldn’t cope with side-loads or twisting and I still wanted to play so it was a no-brainer. Within 4 months of the op managed a sub-45 minute 10k so recovery is simple enough with a few easy weeks at the start to build you up.

I’m 27 now and it still gives me some trouble – but it’s when I least expect it! Never an issue on the bike or the football pitch, even skiing is ok! But walking up stairs once in a while or playing with my niece it’ll sometimes just go.

Overall though I’m sure it’s better than it would have been – I don’t mash gears and have a high cadence (high 90’s when in a group and high 80’s solo), so I’m sure that helps.

[nadsta]

Thanks for your stories,
Thanks for your stories, confidence inspiring. I’m going to approach the surgery with a much more positive state of mind now.

[Batchy]

Can’t bend knee all the way
Can’t bend knee all the way back, though this is quite normal in replacements. This does not hinder full rotation of cranks or in any way hinders walking ability. Kneeling back on haunches for eg is out of question as is lotus position in yoga. I stuck rigidly to physio’s instructions and worked hard and was back on easy 10 min turbo sessions after about 8 weeks. Back out on road within 5 months.

[JonD]

Colin267’s post reminded me –
Colin267’s post reminded me – mine was also a ‘bucket handle’ tear (indicates the shape), but if the consultants sketch was vaguely accurate then maybe 50-60% was removed – but that was only one knee, doesn’t explain why my other is also sensitive to twisting, and recently made worse by sleeping awkwardly whilst camping 😮 I guess just different physiology/activity.

5-10% certainly sounds relatively small.

Batchy – any limitations to movement with the new knee, eg allowable bend angle ?

[Author]

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