HELP! 2 years post Lateral partial meniscectomy (right knee)
Posted , 3 users are following.
Background:
Traumatic flap tear of the lateral meniscus middle-third right knee after fall. Diagnosis via MRI. Also noted was mild chrondomalacia patella In march 2016.
Partial meniscectomy performed april 2016.
In the now nearing 2 years that have followed I note the following:
Constant Swelling above the right knee which looks like a knee-above the real knee!- (almost to the extent it was before surgery)
Bruising-look above the outer right knee (blueish with pink mottled area)
Multiple dark vein type lines also above the outer right knee
Stiffness
Knee often has the feeling of “giving out”
Grinding feeling when felt during an extension movement (hand on knee during extension of leg)
Frequently has an audible “crack” or “click” noise heard by others
More frequently has a “click” or “crack” feeling to myself that is not audible
Frequent Sharp, slab-like pains from the outer side of the knee
Constant dull pain
“lock”-like feeling when walking until cracks or clicks
Unable to rest in bed until I have found a position that mimics that of immediate post surgery (on back, knee elevated on pillow) because it causes pain
Numb-(not there/dead) feeling when walking. No “tingling” noted
Unable to have weight on knee (example-small child) it causes a sharp deep pain with a burn-like sensation throughout the whole knee
With rest, swelling does not go down-at all
Constant “sore” feeling
Hard to drive long distances, or frequent in-out in-out car trips (automatic)
Unable to “squat”- within seconds the knee will shake, then visibly shake, then feel as if it is about to “give out”
Stairs seem to provoke a knee reaction. (clicking, locking, cracking, stiffness, sharp pain combo)
Pre injury I had perfect balance (champion kayaker) & post injury/surgery I note my balance has been quite effected
I completed my required physio & I was given a full medical clearance 8 weeks post op & told that the swelling would go with time. It did not.
Last week GP has noted decrease of range of movement. (I am not sure to what %) this differs from the physio outcome after surgery of full range in 2016
Sharp pain has started, in the last month or so to wake me from sleep.
History:
I am a 35 year old female & overweight, although I live an active lifestyle. I am highly active in an outdoor rescue volunteer role & I have 6 children. .
I no longer work fulltime (on top of volunteering)-which I think has been a god send after this injury; allowing me to rest. I do have a very high pain threshold & have only been taking targin 5/10mg when the pain is really really bad-which is becoming to frequent to ignore. I have recently purchased a cane & I have found it helps a lot, especially with stairs.
Any ideas as to what the hell is going on? I cant find anything related on the web? Some of the information I have included my be irrelevant, but I thought it pertinent to include everything. I welcome any thoughts on this, Thanks 
2 likes, 31 replies
renee38282 beanie430
Posted
It sounds like it's torn again. Go see the orthopedist and demand another MRI. Good luck.
beanie430 renee38282
Posted
do you know if that can happen without actually injuring it?
renee38282 beanie430
Posted
Yes! That's what happened to me. I knew it was torn again. I don't know how it happened! But it did and sure enough he found another tear in the second surgery. I have no idea how it tore either time. I'm 58 and was a runner, did step arrobics, yoga, walking a lot. So now I can't do any of that or the knee swells up and I can't walk at all. Good luck.
beanie430 renee38282
Posted
WOW. I hope they can tell on the MRI that I didn't do it (injure) because it sounds like i'm going to need to prove that :S
renee38282 beanie430
Posted
Why do you have to prove you didn't do it on purpose? That's out of your control lol. Is it an insurance thing?
beanie430
Posted
i forgot to mention on the above post that I haven't sustained any new my knee. These symptoms have remained after the surgery in 2016 & are getting back to the "before surgery" state
renee38282 beanie430
Posted
Yep my first surgery was July 2016. It was never right. I put up with it till September 2017. Surgery October 31. So either he missed the 2nd tear during the first surgery or it tore again. I hadn't seen the doctor either since post op 2016 when he blew me off.
beanie430 renee38282
Posted
holy cow. You aren't in Aus at all are you Renee?
renee38282 beanie430
Posted
Lol no. I'm in the good old USA. Rochester, NY to be exact. We have great doctors in this area. You're from Australia?
beanie430 renee38282
Posted
hi Renee, yes I am from Queensland, Australia. I live remote so 'great care' is over 200km away, in my case that being ANY ortho. This injury happened at work so after having had the full med clearance in may 2016 I have had to go through the usual process with re opening the claim. Please to say, that although its confirmed not healed from 2016, i'm mortified at what comes next. I've seen you both talk about "gel shots" what are they?
renee38282 beanie430
Posted
From what I understand, the gel shot acts as a lubricant in the kneecap allowing a cushion of sorts. My knee feels like it's "catching" when I bend it. The doctor felt it too so he suggested it. Don't know if it will help or not. I think they used to be called Synvisc shots. Google it and see. Im still not sure I'll get one or not. It's optional!
beanie430 renee38282
Posted
luanne_64270 beanie430
Posted
beanie430 luanne_64270
Posted
renee38282 luanne_64270
Posted
Luanne my doctor says I have a beautiful knee lol. No arthritis so he thinks I'm fine!
luanne_64270 renee38282
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Renee.....my gel shot is being cleared with insurance and then has to be ordered. I'm told it should take about a week. In the meantime a friend gave me a 3 wheel rollater to try. I don't use it every day but on the bad days it really takes pressure off the knee and back. I love it! Lightweight and turns on a dime .Complete w/basket for throwing things in. Folds up for storage and/or travel.
luanne_64270 beanie430
Posted
Beanie....keep the group posted. 'Interested to hear what the MRI shows. Good luck!
renee38282 luanne_64270
Posted
Luanne, I have to call the doctor about the gel shot tomorrow. They left me a message, so they must have cleared it through insurance. I'll let you know how much it costs. I wonder if it's worth it. Meanwhile, I've blown out my back last week and am in excruciating pain! Jeesh I can't catch a break. It's agonizing. We're in this together right? Chin up, keep going. Lol
luanne_64270 renee38282
Posted
I guess we'll both know soon about the gel shot. I expect my call back this week.I'm going to do it because this will be the last stop for me before a TKR........which I don't want to do until we sell the house and move on. Anything that will will buy me time I'm going for! My doctor is convinced it will help. My back has bothered me, too. I believe it's because I walk "funny" to compensate for the knee. That's where that 3 wheel rollater comes in. I haven't taken it outside the house yet, a shopping cart serves the same purpose, but at home it's been a real help! Let me know when you get the shot. Good luck! I'm pulling for you!
beanie430 luanne_64270
Posted
renee38282 luanne_64270
Posted
I've been using crutches on bad days to take the weight off the knee. Used them last week around the house. Today I did light housework. So far so good!
luanne_64270 beanie430
Posted
hi Beanie....I have a Leki treking pole with cane handle. In a pinch it can be adjusted to become a mono crutch yet collapses small enough to get in my carry on. It's become a constant companion over the years. I had 4 arthroscopy and a TKR on the left knee some years ago. This right knee is the latest adventure. With time you learn what works for you. With a little swagger, a cane, pole, whatever....they are all cool! lol