Old knee problem comes back to haunt me

[rhauser44]

I've posted this earlier in the NROL forum. My left knee has been somewhat trashy since I injured it back around `74. I had a torn medial meniscus removed then. And I've only had occasional minor aches since.
Two weeks ago today, my FLII-A workout was normal. My knee performed well, no problems. However the next morning, I found my knee stiff and swollen more than usual. Over the last two weeks the swelling has only sightly subsided. It's circumference measures a good inch more than my right knee now. Range of motion is limited to just shy of 90 degrees.

Over the past two weeks, I would feel sudden sharp pain across the front of my knee and along the inside area when doing normal activity such as walking. I saw my doctor today and he confirms that arthritis is evident. He took x-rays and based on those and any further pain, may order an MRI as well. He's concerned if there are any bone chips or if the arthritis is interfering with normal mobility.

He recommends not continuing with squats or lunges, anti-inflammatory OTC drugs, and icing it until the swelling is gone. As I need these knees for another thirty years or so, that's not a big deal. But I'll be dissappointed if I can't come up with some alternate lower body exercises.


Keep ya all posted on the x-ray results.

[Annepan]

Originally Posted by rhauser44

I've posted this earlier in the NROL forum. My left knee has been somewhat trashy since I injured it back around `74. I had a torn medial meniscus removed then. And I've only had occasional minor aches since.
Two weeks ago today, my FLII-A workout was normal. My knee performed well, no problems. However the next morning, I found my knee stiff and swollen more than usual. Over the last two weeks the swelling has only sightly subsided. It's circumference measures a good inch more than my right knee now. Range of motion is limited to just shy of 90 degrees.

Over the past two weeks, I would feel sudden sharp pain across the front of my knee and along the inside area when doing normal activity such as walking. I saw my doctor today and he confirms that arthritis is evident. He took x-rays and based on those and any further pain, may order an MRI as well. He's concerned if there are any bone chips or if the arthritis is interfering with normal mobility.

He recommends not continuing with squats or lunges, anti-inflammatory OTC drugs, and icing it until the swelling is gone. As I need these knees for another thirty years or so, that's not a big deal. But I'll be dissappointed if I can't come up with some alternate lower body exercises.


Keep ya all posted on the x-ray results.

I am new to the boards and this is my first post - I have torn my meniscus twice on my left knee and once on the right...I was told by a nurse that once you tear a meniscus, it can keep happening (in my case). Could it be you tore it again? If that is the case, the MRI will show that. Best of luck...

Anne

[rhauser44]

Originally Posted by Annepan

I am new to the boards and this is my first post - I have torn my meniscus twice on my left knee and once on the right...I was told by a nurse that once you tear a meniscus, it can keep happening (in my case). Could it be you tore it again? If that is the case, the MRI will show that. Best of luck...

Anne

My doc mentioned and MRI as a possibility, dependant on what the x-ray showed and if I continued to have pain.

I'm sorry to hear about your reoccuring problems. I didn't know it could keep happening. Something to watch for. In my case

1. I was concerned whether arthritis was setting in. (yes, it's present)

2. Why the sudden onset. I've been doing the same basic movements for quite some time, in fact for years. (Maybe bone chips, maybe something else, x-rays and maybe an MRI should tell more)

In your case, what leg/lower body exercises are you doing now?

[Annepan]

Originally Posted by rhauser44

My doc mentioned and MRI as a possibility, dependant on what the x-ray showed and if I continued to have pain.

I'm sorry to hear about your reoccuring problems. I didn't know it could keep happening. Something to watch for. In my case

1. I was concerned whether arthritis was setting in. (yes, it's present)

2. Why the sudden onset. I've been doing the same basic movements for quite some time, in fact for years. (Maybe bone chips, maybe something else, x-rays and maybe an MRI should tell more)

In your case, what leg/lower body exercises are you doing now?

Sorry about the arthritis!

My knees don't bother me much at all - For me, my knees can handle: Heavy squats, RDL, CDL, leg press, walking lunges, leg extension, leg curls.

Knees CANNOT handle: bulg split squats, glute ham raises or sissy squats.

Last time I had x rays I didn't have any signs of arthritis.

My tears occured when :

I was 17 (was a gymnast) doing a front flip
I was 30 - lifting a heavy toddler out of the car -twisted my knee
I was 33 - Don't know - just woke up in severe pain - by that time I knew what the deal was...

Hope things workout for you...any chance the meniscus could have torn again? It also could be floating cartilage...

[UConnJulie]

For now how about riding a bike at an easy pace ... if you can't complete a full revolution, do half ones ... forward until range limits, then backward until range limits.
Also, quad sets and straight leg raises would be good and you can continue to do RDLs but I wouldn't go too heavy.

Make sure the knee is good and warm before working it ... the bike would be good for this, or you could use a hot pack, and ICE afterward.

Keep us posted on what the imaging results are ...

[rhauser44]

Originally Posted by UConnJulie

For now how about riding a bike at an easy pace ... if you can't complete a full revolution, do half ones ... forward until range limits, then backward until range limits.
Also, quad sets and straight leg raises would be good and you can continue to do RDLs but I wouldn't go too heavy.

Make sure the knee is good and warm before working it ... the bike would be good for this, or you could use a hot pack, and ICE afterward.

Keep us posted on what the imaging results are ...

Anne & Julie,

Thanks for all the good information. I'll do the quad work and update you when I get the image results.