Knee pain after surgery!?

[Jenniferst78]

Ok I will start from the beginning, About 8 months ago I was doing P90X jumping jacks, felt a

small zing from my left ankle to my knee. Quick pain no biggie I finished my work out and went

along my day. Weeks went by with no pain, about a month or so I did a squat to do something on a

bottom shelf..... Ooohhh my goodness!! The pressure in my knee when I went to stand was a

KILLER!!! So again brushed it off and realized it happened every time I bent my knee past 90

degrees! Let it go for a bit longer, doing regular exercise ,( except squats! ) finally 2 1/2 months or

so later went to my Dr. He gave me 3 exercise to do for 2 weeks... Did it , getting worse ! Went

back told me to go for an x- ray... Did that nothing! Told me to go to P.T. For to weeks... Did that

still worse! Went to a specialist , MRI , found small tear in meniscus and patella a little ruff.

Specialist decided surgery, in- out 15mins! Follow all directions started P.T 2or3 wks after up to

today! I still can't bend my past a 90 degree angle w/out wanting to vomit! So if anyone has any

suggestions , they will be greatly appreciated !!!!!!

Thank You!

[Times Roman]

you should also consider MSM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methylsulfonylmethane
you take 5 grams a day forever...

it help improve cartilege synthesis

I've been doing this for over 15 years. takes abouut a month for it to kick in. It's fairly inexpensive, you can get 5 lbs for under $35

this is only going toprovide you long term relief

in the short term, i'd suggest NOT bending your knee past a 90 degree

good luck
----Roman

[Jenniferst78]

you should also consider MSM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methylsulfonylmethane
you take 5 grams a day forever...

it help improve cartilege synthesis

I've been doing this for over 15 years. takes abouut a month for it to kick in. It's fairly inexpensive, you can get 5 lbs for under $35

this is only going toprovide you long term relief

in the short term, i'd suggest NOT bending your knee past a 90 degree

good luck
----Roman

Will that be something I would be on indefinitely or be able to stop?

Thank You, Jenn

[ironbeck]

These are questions best answered by your physical therapist , what does he/she say about your progress in respect to the type of surgery you had? I have had 3 on my right and two on my left and they where different kinds of surgeries with different pt and respective healing times.

[Times Roman]

Will that be something I would be on indefinitely or be able to stop?

Thank You, Jenn

you can stop anytime. it is an extremely simple sulphuric compound, commonly found in nature. but for me, when I stop, usually about two or three weeks later, the pain begins to return.

Again, I've been taking for over 15 years.

careful with the sides though:

increased finger/toe nail growth/strength - im constantly clipping my nails!

[Jenniferst78]

These are questions best answered by your physical therapist , what does he/she say about your progress in respect to the type of surgery you had? I have had 3 on my right and two on my left and they where different kinds of surgeries with different pt and respective healing times.

It was arthroscopic surgery.
I thought so too! But my Dr. came right out and said two days ago "I don't know why your knee still hurts?" And my P.T.guy is a little baffled as well. This morning ... Last visit (7days ago) it seemed fine! I could do everything! Lungs, deep knee bends, squats, you name I could do it! I did all my exercise I was given in between. So today he decided to " dry needle" the back of my knee and my IT band.... Because they are too tight! So we will see how this works , I am to continue my exercise and also roll my IT band on a foam roller! It sucks!!!!! But I have to do it!

[Jenniferst78]

Roman... Thank you I guess there could be worse side effects!

[Doug350SD]

TR, do you think the TB500 would help with something like this?

[Times Roman]

TR, do you think the TB500 would help with something like this?

if it has anything to do with healing or an injury, I suspect it would help. Big fan of the TB as most are aware by now.....

[optionsdude]

Hang in there I've had meniscus surgeries on both knees,one took a few months to get good range of motion back the other was several weeks. In all honesty it took 6months on one and 1 year on the other one to get to where I though I was 100%. How's the swelling? Did they give you an iceman therapy unit?

[Jenniferst78]

Hang in there I've had meniscus surgeries on both knees,one took a few months to get good range of motion back the other was several weeks. In all honesty it took 6months on one and 1 year on the other one to get to where I though I was 100%. How's the swelling? Did they give you an iceman therapy unit?

The swelling is still bad. My dr said he doesn't know why it still hurts?! Trying to be patient with PT help.

They have been dry needling my left IT band.... He thinks that is what my pain is?!

[optionsdude]

The iceman therapy unit helped me with the swelling. I would use it at least 5 times a day or more. I hope you get better soon.

[Jenniferst78]

The iceman therapy unit helped me with the swelling. I would use it at least 5 times a day or more. I hope you get better soon.

Thank you they just put me on naproxen twice a day for now. We'll see

[lovbyts]

Dont dismiss the ice suggestion. Ice is your friend. 30 min on, 30 min off 3x in a row 3x a day. It helps a LOT

[Jenniferst78]

Dont dismiss the ice suggestion. Ice is your friend. 30 min on, 30 min off 3x in a row 3x a day. It helps a LOT

Yes, i have been icing it 3 times a day for the last 5weeks! it dose dose dull the pain but still can not bend past 90 degrees or stay one way to long!

[jseek]

The gf did that. Went from competitive running to nothing after one time squatting to get something out of bottom drawer.
Plica-that was what she messed up. Possibly meniscus too but definately plica.
Treatment was tons of ice, rest from her previous running.... Then one day after 1 week of rest and still no rom, she put herself on a leg press of some sort, using weight she could handle, (and some sort of painkiller I believe) slow increased the amount of rom from pain free (only 45 degrees flexion) to over 120 (a fairly full squat). She said it made horribly noises (and that was her screams-haha) and hurt like crazy-felt and sounded like something ripping...but managed that one time to bust through her rom block....plenty of ice and pain pills to recover...and then stationary bike (led to road racing and nationals). So her self Inflicted technique worked I guess.
Mind you, still can't fully squat on that knee.
And prefers cycling over running.
And she would have refused surgery so no MRI.
Keep pushing things with PT. Don't be afraid to force rom-either you'll get the rom back or force a second surgery. Also suggest to get hamstring strength equal to left and right (work it hard). The lateral hammy pulls on lateral meniscus and could help free it up If no joy, demand arthroscopic redo (with manipulation) or second opinion.
Just my opinion though.
Sorry for ur struggles

[lovbyts]

Knees are funny animals. I hurt my knees several years ago due to impact walking up/down a small mountain day hike and I was pretty out of shape at the time. I ALMOST could not make it down the hill. About 1/2 way my knees started to hurt so bad I walked backwards a lot of the way. My knees hurt for a good 6 months and I thought they were shot for life. One day I was standing on something and sort of fell/jumped off about 3 ft from the ground. I was expecting to be in agony but instead they sort of popped and have been fine ever since.

[Jenniferst78]

The gf did that. Went from competitive running to nothing after one time squatting to get something out of bottom drawer.
Plica-that was what she messed up. Possibly meniscus too but definately plica.
Treatment was tons of ice, rest from her previous running.... Then one day after 1 week of rest and still no rom, she put herself on a leg press of some sort, using weight she could handle, (and some sort of painkiller I believe) slow increased the amount of rom from pain free (only 45 degrees flexion) to over 120 (a fairly full squat). She said it made horribly noises (and that was her screams-haha) and hurt like crazy-felt and sounded like something ripping...but managed that one time to bust through her rom block....plenty of ice and pain pills to recover...and then stationary bike (led to road racing and nationals). So her self Inflicted technique worked I guess.
Mind you, still can't fully squat on that knee.
And prefers cycling over running.
And she would have refused surgery so no MRI.
Keep pushing things with PT. Don't be afraid to force rom-either you'll get the rom back or force a second surgery. Also suggest to get hamstring strength equal to left and right (work it hard). The lateral hammy pulls on lateral meniscus and could help free it up If no joy, demand arthroscopic redo (with manipulation) or second opinion.
Just my opinion though.
Sorry for ur struggles

Wow! Bad and good at the same time! Thanks for the opinion... All info is good at this point! I am waiting for the second option Dr. to call me ! Hopefully soon.

[Jenniferst78]

Knees are funny animals. I hurt my knees several years ago due to impact walking up/down a small mountain day hike and I was pretty out of shape at the time. I ALMOST could not make it down the hill. About 1/2 way my knees started to hurt so bad I walked backwards a lot of the way. My knees hurt for a good 6 months and I thought they were shot for life. One day I was standing on something and sort of fell/jumped off about 3 ft from the ground. I was expecting to be in agony but instead they sort of popped and have been fine ever since.

Nice! If that was me it would have gone the other way ! LOL.

[Jenniferst78]

Update..... My first dr. gave me naproxin 500mg twice a day , it takes most of the pain away.? Second dr. Looked at first MRI didn't see a tear any where?? He is not sure why I have pain? So his answer is a bone scan?! I go for that next week.

[Armykid93]

Update..... My first dr. gave me naproxin 500mg twice a day , it takes most of the pain away.? Second dr. Looked at first MRI didn't see a tear any where?? He is not sure why I have pain? So his answer is a bone scan?! I go for that next week.

I really dislike doctors and don't trust them most time when it comes to injuries. PTs know their shit way better IMO

[lovbyts]

Naproxin works for you? Lucky you. Naproxin is no different than taking an advil for me.

[optionsdude]

I agree with Armykid I'm am losing my faith in dr's fast. Once they find out your insurance is good they drag everything out in order to get the most money. MOre tests more pills more visits equals more money. Some PT's are like this too,they just go through the motions and don't try anything different if you're not getting better.

[jseek]

Naproxen is a good anti inflammatory & pain reliever. Hard on stomach though....
MRI results-not surprising to see a discrepancy. Mri are Crazy things that are so relied are so flawed...people say MRI said torn cartilage-but surgery only found acl blown and all cartilage was fine...and vice versa....lesson? MRI is a good reason to go into the knee and visualize directly... Obviously he didn't see everything in the knee during surgery so u have lingering problems. Second opinion ...MRI conflicting views...no worries but kudos to him for ordering a bone scan...will find (or not) a "hot spot"... Which could be local arthritis or localized inflammation somewhere ...but a positive means you have something and indicates to move forward with treatment. For all the well meaning comments in the post, ur case is in limbo land...normally a surgery finds something and fixes it. Normally pt helps u progress and get stronger and better rom and less pain. Ur case being non progressing, either ur knee is slow to heal, something missed (not intensional) during surgery because the MRI showed a straight forward lesion that was repaired...and there is no easy way to progress to a second surgery that may not be paid for by insurance unless an objective test can point in that direction. If u can pay cash for a second surgery, go ahead...if u can't and need to play the insurance game, then stick with it...do the tests, the pt, the icing, the naproxen, and let us know the results of the bone scan!

[Armykid93]

I agree with Armykid I'm am losing my faith in dr's fast. Once they find out your insurance is good they drag everything out in order to get the most money. MOre tests more pills more visits equals more money. Some PT's are like this too,they just go through the motions and don't try anything different if you're not getting better.

I've had 3 different PTs and they were all awesome so i'm definitely biased lol. Doctors are great at some things but only when they try. My wife is seeing a doctor now who has been helping her get rid of problems she's had for years simply because he's actually using his damn head. Her other doctor was useless.

[lovbyts]

Naproxen is a good anti inflammatory & pain reliever. Hard on stomach though....
MRI results-not surprising to see a discrepancy. Mri are Crazy things that are so relied are so flawed...people say MRI said torn cartilage-but surgery only found acl blown and all cartilage was fine...and vice versa....lesson? MRI is a good reason to go into the knee and visualize directly... Obviously he didn't see everything in the knee during surgery so u have lingering problems. Second opinion ...MRI conflicting views...no worries but kudos to him for ordering a bone scan...will find (or not) a "hot spot"... Which could be local arthritis or localized inflammation somewhere ...but a positive means you have something and indicates to move forward with treatment. For all the well meaning comments in the post, ur case is in limbo land...normally a surgery finds something and fixes it. Normally pt helps u progress and get stronger and better rom and less pain. Ur case being non progressing, either ur knee is slow to heal, something missed (not intensional) during surgery because the MRI showed a straight forward lesion that was repaired...and there is no easy way to progress to a second surgery that may not be paid for by insurance unless an objective test can point in that direction. If u can pay cash for a second surgery, go ahead...if u can't and need to play the insurance game, then stick with it...do the tests, the pt, the icing, the naproxen, and let us know the results of the bone scan!

I agree about the MRI. You would THINK it should be accurate with todays technology but it's not. I just had an MRI with contrast dye done on my left shoulder. I knew it was messed up bad. I honestly had one of the best doctors in his field. He is the head surgion for Seattle Seahawks and Mariners. He said from what the MRI showed I had a LOT of arthritis and maybe some minor tears and due to my range of motion it cant be all that bad. He said he really didnt want to do surgery and though PT would help. After 4 months I said no it was time to get it fixed.

After the surgery he said OMG he had NO idea it was that bad and didnt know how I had any movement without a lot of pain. He took over 1/2 hr showing me all the tears, shredded areas, bone fragments, marble size nodules and extreme inflammation. Why the MRI didnt show all that???

[Jenniferst78]

jseek i agree about the naproxen but it so the only thing that is making my daily pain tolerable!!! I understand not

everything is visible... But for him to sit there and say " I have NO idea why you have pain". Made me a little crazy!!! If

its arthritis , swelling , or i'm just impatient ,.what ever I just want a straight answer !!! There are too many things this is

keeping me from doing... Well I guess not really stoping but slowing me down!!! And I don't like it!

My bone scan is this week .. Hopefully it won't take forever , with an answer ?

[TxIslandBum]

Best of luck in your recovery. I've had this surgery 3x (once on left, twice on right) and recovery varied each time. I did fight the range of motion issue and extreme tightness/pain. I benefited from icing my knee 15 min, soaking in a HOT bath and performing range of motion exercises followed by 15 more min of ice. I repeated this process probably 10 times a day. Once again, wish you a quick recovery!

[Jenniferst78]

First Thank you all for the suggestions and advice!
So... the bone scan showed us nothing! but it was cool! anyway....he still has no idea! he gave me a cortazone shot.give ita couple days and see if it takes the pain away, if yes than good and then see how long it lasts. or no and go back in to see what to do next! being nerves, muscular or what?...

[Jenniferst78]

Yesterday I went to my second follow up with the original dr/surgeon, I told him about the bone scan and everything i discussed with the other dr. he said he was glad i got a second opinion and the shot.... but he still said he thought it was all in my head and to just stop going to the drs. and see what happens!!!!!!!! now just waiting for the second dr to call so i can fill him in on how the shot made my knee feel. which helped with the pain on one side but not there is a crunching feeling in front!!??? AAAAHHHHH why can't it just go away!

[Jenniferst78]

Ok so the cortisone helped a bit, now the pain I have now , the dr thinks the tendon in front of my knee might have got damaged!? So on Wednesday I get to go for another MRI!

[GirlyGymRat]

Ok so the cortisone helped a bit, now the pain I have now , the dr thinks the tendon in front of my knee might have got damaged!? So on Wednesday I get to go for another MRI!

well atleast you will know what's been buggin you! i am curious so keep us posted!

[jseek]

Congrats for sticking with it....
Again, a surgeon can use any finding to justify a second op
Good luck!

[Jenniferst78]

Ok I'm back... Had my MRI on Wed. Dr.s today..... I have tendinitis !!!! Not the greatest news but it was better than "I don't know what's wrong!" So P.T. For a while, I have to find my patients?! And it should go away! So I guess that's all for now unless I mess it up again. Lets hope not! Thanks again for all the support ! You guys are great!!!

[optionsdude]

Congrats on finding out the source of your problem. And way to pressure your dr,no one likes to be a squeaky wheel but sometimes you just have to squeak.

[HeadAndArm]

I've been having a tough time w my knee. No surgery yet, but going in for ultrasound in the new year. One doctor recommended one of those knee sleeves. Not sure if it's doing anything beneficial for my knee but the compression helps with the pain.

[jseek]

New thread for new person?
Anyways, sleeve can help by
-better feedback from knee as to where it is.....sleeve on skin helps to remind you about the knee...less jarring say when stepping up and down, quicker reaction to stepping on uneven surfaces, etc
-compression can give loose joints new life...more power, quicker reactions
-can keep knee warm..helps things heal, helps nerve conduction, helps tendon/ligaments/muscles do what they are supposed to do
-good things outweigh the bad so I'm not gonna get into the negative
-usually on day 2 hours, give knee a break from it for 5-10 then repeat
- do everyone a favor by washing the thing frequently
- if it helps keep using it, if it doesn't stop
-continue to see professional care till cause of knee problem resolved
-good luck

[Jenniferst78]

hello again... I was woundering what if anyone had suggestions for P.T or exercise to help with patella tendonits?! not sure if i agree with my P.T guys

[HeadAndArm]

New thread for new person?
Anyways, sleeve can help by
-better feedback from knee as to where it is.....sleeve on skin helps to remind you about the knee...less jarring say when stepping up and down, quicker reaction to stepping on uneven surfaces, etc
-compression can give loose joints new life...more power, quicker reactions
-can keep knee warm..helps things heal, helps nerve conduction, helps tendon/ligaments/muscles do what they are supposed to do
-good things outweigh the bad so I'm not gonna get into the negative
-usually on day 2 hours, give knee a break from it for 5-10 then repeat
- do everyone a favor by washing the thing frequently
- if it helps keep using it, if it doesn't stop
-continue to see professional care till cause of knee problem resolved
-good luck

I agree w everything you just said

[jseek]

Jenniferst78...
How about some current details of ur present status knee wise and routine...ur response to what's happening both pos&neg? Better details, better answers.
I'll review the thread but last I remember you were focused on loss of knee flexing, excruciating pain if you exceeded a certain point, relief medially with an injection, and dx of tendinitis? So how's rom, how's the crunching noise & location? Locking/clicking? Strength? Pain with active and at rest. Treatments currently & planned...and how is the upper body & abs training coming?