I am just waiting for the results of an MRI scan following knee injury playing tennis - I suspect I have torn the cartilage in my knee- after some 'to-ing and fro-ing' between GP and physio. My big problem is that I am becoming very anxious and depressed ( I have always loved walking on the downs on my doorstep & the thought of this all being taken away is making me feel seriously depressed) I am really looking for people to tell me about their positive outcomes and I wondered if there was anybody out there who would be happy to recount and share their experiences ...
Hi,
I'm not sure if this will help you a lot, as I'm only six days post surgery to trim torn cartilage in both sides of my right knee. So I'm not sure what the outcome will be! However I was told by physio, gp and surgeon that I would be back playing football within a couple of months and more gentler pursuits like cycling and walking maybe within a month.
Obviously it may depend on how much you have trimmed, whether you have any other damage etc etc but I would definitely say you'll be back walking in no time! I've read a lot of forums prior to my op and many people say they return to tennis no problem. Perhaps you may not be quite at the level you used to be as they are taking cushioning out if your knee.
Good luck with your results and don't worry the surgery's not too bad!
Hi,
thankyou so much for taking the trouble to respond to my post and it is great to hear about your positive outcome! I understand that in the 'scheme of things' this event is probably not considered that significant but for me it is, because being active & loving the outdoors is a way of life & 'it' feels threatened - if that makes sense ? Thanks again and enjoy the football when you start playing again!
It makes complete sense as I had the same feelings! Even though I was being told it was a temporary problem at the time it seemed like it would never get fixed and I'd always be stood on the sideline watching!
Now I've managed to try and be positive and I'm actually making the most of having a couple of weeks off work in the summer and enjoying the sun, something I never would have been able to normally!!
It is good to hear that you are now enjoying the sunshine. I am sure that before too long this episode will seem like a distant memory! I hope it will be not too long before I can re-join the 'care free' and enjoy life even if it is a little altered. Keep up with what sounds to be a good recovery...!
Hi, not sure if you will pick this up but it was confirmed to me this morning that the MRI showed 'tear', otherwise normal, as I suspected & I am going to be referred for surgery. The physio asked me if I had any preference and not having any experience in these things replied, I needed to be guided in these matters. Can I ask you what your experience was - did you 'exercise' your choice as we now can as NHS patients? It is great to have choice but it does add a burden to those of us who find decision making an anxious process...
Hi,
There wasn't really a choice for me, in a sense that my physio gp and consultant all just said surgery straightaway!
Does your report indicate the size, type or location of you tear? This can often help to determined whether surgery is necessary but from my experience of talking to other people it seems surgery is preferential.
You can always try physio whilst you are on the waiting list and cancel if you don't feel you still require it,
Any more questions just ask
In some respects having that choice taken away I would say is a relief.
The specialist physio who referred me, advised me of the MRI results over the phone (I think he decided to ring me rather than my waiting to see him face-to face) As much as I was able to take in the tear is located in just one 'compartment' - on the inside. I don't remember discussing size or type but he is definately advising surgery and referring me to knee surgeon. He said I can always go back to him if I have any more queries; I might wait until I see surgeon which I hope will not be too long. Meanwhile will keep up with the cycling (no pressure on joint) to keep up muscle strength. Thank you so much for responding to my posts - they have really helped - there maybe some more questions!. Hope you are still enjoying this lovely sunshine
It's not a problem it's always nice to hear other people are going through the same thing!
Yes definitely keep your muscles strong as it will help you recover quicker from surgery, I think that's what's helping me as after only one week I'm walking almost normally (just lacking a little bit of flexion to be 100%) and only need a few more degrees of flexion to manage stairs normally.
Hope you haven't got too long to wait before you get sorted with the surgeon! In the end I went private as the nhs in wales seems to have endless waiting lists!! (But op was still done on nhs)
All the best.