I haven't written for a few days largely because I've been letting some bad news sink in. On Thursday I was diagnosed with torn meniscus in my left knee. I had initially been told it was not torn but after seeking a second opinion and a closer look it is, in fact, torn.
It is a mild tear on the outside, medial edge of the meniscus so it could potentially heal without surgery. That said, I am, at this point, still contemplating what to do and may not be able to wait this one out without surgery.
For me, I must say, these last eight months have been really eye-opening. First, a severe case of plantar fasciitis and then, just when that was clearing up, my first real knee issue. Of course, I am taking my own advice and maintaining a positive attitude and practicing patience which will hopefully bear fruit in the end. And, I am currently on a ski vacation with my family and it's dumping snow so, how bad could it be? I still have my health, a good job, and a great life. Perspective....
Any advice on dealing with a mildly torn medial meniscus would be much appreciated!
I tried different treatments for several months with a well-known chiropractor in Northern VA who did acupuncture, electrical stimulation and a bunch of other stuff. Apparently (and as I understand it imperfectly) the flap of meniscus would slip back into place and I'd run pain free. Then out of nowhere it would flare again, and it hurt to run. Finally the chiro gave me the card for an orthopedic surgeon he knew. Had the surgery, within a week I was trotting around the soccer fields, within two weeks I was running, within a month I jogged a 5k. Now, ten years later. I have no issues at all. FWIW.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any knee advice, but I'm right there with you: pf in one foot, crabby opposite knee (i should get it diagosed...), mid-40s, first real experience with longterm injury. It's ontologically jarring when you can no longer trust your body to take you where you want to go. Thanks for sharing the journey......you're not alone.
ReplyDeleteTough news, AJW. Sorry to hear. You'll weather it in great fashion like all the other challenges. Cheers.
ReplyDeleteBad news for sure - Ned summed it up pretty well - if you have a flap, you could go pain free for some time and then out of nowhere it can flare up putting an end to any type of impact. I'll send the rest of my thoughts via email - too much for the comment section.
ReplyDeleteAndy, avoid the knife if possible, but if I remember correctly from my work at the ortho surgery center, Ned is correct; you can have a relatively quick recovery from a menical repair. What'd your orthopod say about recovery from surgery?
ReplyDeletesorry to hear of the knee injury Andy! i've had my left knee scoped a couple times & ACL in the past, definitely understand that discomfort. good luck in healing whichever direction you go in terms of surgery v. non; will follow along.
ReplyDelete-Viper