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