Knee specialist anywhere?

[Zstream]

So I had a rather large hunk of my meniscus torn and removed. In fact when the injury occurred the meniscus was just floating in the knee causing lockups.

One year later and four months of therapy gone by my knees are making bad popping noise. When this occurs pain is felt right at the kneecap. The doctor says it is my patella... I have been going to the gym and doing workouts to fix the problem. Basically, pulling the kneecap over by enlarging the other side of my thigh.

Unfortunately none of the exercises the therapist or doctor recommend are working. The issues only really began after surgery, I am so frustrated I might go to another doctor for an evaluation.


Thoughts or past experiences?

 

[Kipper]

Are these workouts you've been doing suggested/approved by the PT or the surgeon?

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: Kipper
Are these workouts you've been doing suggested/approved by the PT or the surgeon?

The most important question to ask.

 

[Zstream]

Originally posted by: Kipper
Are these workouts you've been doing suggested/approved by the PT or the surgeon?

Yes, they are the basis of my therapy. Well it was, therapy just ended. I was told to continue doing the following:

Squats
Leg Press
Leg extension
Calf press

The problem is after the surgery the popping occurs more often and is much louder. My doctor took X-rays and chalked it up to the patella

 

[Zstream]

Anyone in the same situation, possible someone believe a improper diagnosis?

 

[StageLeft]

Diagnosis may be right but treatment might not be. DO you really honestly believe leg extensions are helping, for example?

When you do squats how are you doing them? I think the best overall quad exercise is single legged squats or lunges with no more than a 90 degree bend. Do one leg at a time to force balancing into the equation and don't go below a 90 degree bend, particularly if you're lacking some meniscus. How diligent are you with these activities? Strengthening a leg that's out of whack can take many months of continual attention, but it is worth it.

 

[highland145]

Background: I had ACL reconstruction in 1980 and torn meniscus in '84 and '85. They even gave me a fancy bionic looking brace. Quickly learned there would be no leg workouts with weights or running again. Started walking and biking. Currently, 1 hr on the mountain bike or elliptical 5-6 days/week. Patella pain started at the end of last year. I increased my fish oil caps to 6/day and a teaspoon of cod liver oil. Additionally, quad stretches. Good enough results that I don't need an anti-inflammatory.

Get a second opinion. I think x-rays are useless on cartilage.

 

[StageLeft]

Get a second opinion. I think x-rays are useless on cartilage.

They can give clues, like if you have bone near bone you know that cartilage is decreased but you certainly cannot see something like a torn meniscus on an xray.

I increasingly believe, based on mine and others' and studies' findings that leg strengthening is a key part of knee health.

 

[highland145]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Get a second opinion. I think x-rays are useless on cartilage.

They can give clues, like if you have bone near bone you know that cartilage is decreased but you certainly cannot see something like a torn meniscus on an xray.

I increasingly believe, based on mine and others' and studies' findings that leg strengthening is a key part of knee health.

 

[highland145]

Sorry, screwed that last one up.

Strengthening the muscles and tendons is a must, especially with injury/age. The concern would be with the amount of weight being used combined with a still "healing" meniscus. I feel like I have had great results with the cycling over the past 20+ years with minimal arthritis type symptoms (after 3 surgeries). I have been accused of having skinny legs though.

http://www.cartilagehealth.com/cycling.html

 

[Zstream]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Diagnosis may be right but treatment might not be. DO you really honestly believe leg extensions are helping, for example?

When you do squats how are you doing them? I think the best overall quad exercise is single legged squats or lunges with no more than a 90 degree bend. Do one leg at a time to force balancing into the equation and don't go below a 90 degree bend, particularly if you're lacking some meniscus. How diligent are you with these activities? Strengthening a leg that's out of whack can take many months of continual attention, but it is worth it.

Two types of squats. The first is with a ball between the legs and the other has the rubber band type wrap around the legs.