Crap... torn meniscus?

[kdibattista]

I had a nasty fall on Sunday night and went to the ER. I messed my back up pretty bad and because of the pregnancy they couldn't do any xrays, MRI, etc to see what was going on... basically a wait and see. It has been improving but the past few days my knee has been bothering me. I told the doc at my follow up appointment today and she went through a bunch of range of motion tests and told me that she thinks I may have torn my meniscus . She sent me for an xray of my knee (they could do that safely) to see if there is anything they could make out from that because they can't do an MRI while I'm pregnant.

If any of you have had this, what were your symptoms and what was your course of treatment?

Thanks!!

 

[THE HAT]

I have known quite a few that have had this injury.

There are different courses of treatment ranging from NSAID's to P/T to surgery. Seeing an orthopedic would be the best course of action.
I am so sorry that this happened, but glad to hear that you, and the baby will be ok! Take it easy, and try to ice and heat your knee.

 

[Hedy]

My mom had surgery for a torn meniscus in May (hers was ongoing, not due to an injury). Her main symptoms were pain and a really big knee. She had lathroscopic surgery-she had it on a Thursday, was laid up Friday and Saturday, and then was in PT for about 2 months a few times a week. However, I know she had some RX painkillers post-surgery, so I don't know if it'll be different to you.

 

[fraggle551]

I have what is called Plica Syndrome, which presents the same as a torn meniscus. When you tear it, my ortho said you will hear or feel a pop and it will fill up with fluid. It can make a clicking noise when you walk, or when you push on it. It hurts! I was in pain for a long time before they figured it out, I hope you can get yours figured out quickly. good luck!

 

[flipflop]

I tore my medial meniscus. It hurt to walk and put pressure on that leg. I thought I had badly sprain it. It wasn't a big deal - my dr. fixed it by scope and I was up and around in 4-5 days.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Pain usually is a good indication of a torn meniscus. I've torn my meniscus several time...as a matter of fact, I've had 2 ACL reconstructions and I think I tore my right ACL last night at dance class! Fun times!

If I were you, I'd put up with the pain until after the baby is born and then have an MRI. That is the only way for sure the doctors can see if something is wrong. And go to an orthopedic too!

Good luck!

 

[kdibattista]

Thanks guys!!! It's weird because it doesn't really hurt too bad and it's mainly only when I bend my leg. It feels like the side of my knee is pulling it out of whack. It's not preventing me from walking or doing what I normally do. I guess I'm just worried that me walking on it will do more harm if we can't find out for certain for another few months.

Thanks again!!

 

[Green Tea]

Trainer, Orth. and PT thought that is what I might have had, but it thankfully is not. They said pain with meniscus would be lower edge of patella, while laying on stomach they tested a twisting of my leg. No pain which they said was pretty good indication it was not meniscus.

 

[imabrat]

Don't know if this helps,but before the doctors suspected I had cancer they thought I had a torn meniscus.
I just had pain and swelling around my knee.
They told me if it was the torn meniscus,I would probably have surgery to repair it and then some PT.

Again,if it doesn't help,I'm really sorry.

I hope you get better soon.

 

[aprild873]

I actually just found out my MRI results today. I have a complex tear of the lateral meniscus. An xray will not show anything like that, usually found on an MRI. All the xray will show is if there is any swelling. You are probably better off waiting until your baby is born to get the MRI. I have had some of the same symptoms though, the pulling sensation, some pain, occasionally my knee will lock up, and a nice cracking noise. From what I have heard a tear can be taken care of with only PT, but I have also heard that surgical repair is the way to go.

 

[MsDisney23]

hoping you feel better soon!

 

[Green Tea]

You can get a script for PT even not knowing exactly what the dx is. Te pt wil probably have a really good idea from exam what is wrong, even without the mri. The therapy has helped me very much.

 

[Nancyg56]

I have a torn meniscus and it did not really hurt too badly at first. I felt it go a few months ago, and then it just seemed as though my knee was not quite right. It was as though it was wiggly or that it shifted a bit when I climbed stairs. So I figured it would go away. It got worse and it was insidious because it was gradually getting worse and I was getting used to it. Once my knee started swelling and my leg was not really steady on the stairs I went to an Orthopedic DR and he ordered PT. I went yesterday for the first time and I think it is going to help. There are exercises and therapies that will not hurt the baby and that can help before you do more damage.

I wish that I did not wait so long because I let it go so much the inflammation caused a lot of unnecessary pain.