Not an injury at all - severe arthritis of the knee

DOCTOR READ MRI AND UPENDED MY BELIEFS

Going into the meeting I was expecting that the MRI would show a meniscus that was torn and blocking movement, or perhaps a ligament rupture also blocking knee movement. The solution would be a minor operation to remove the damaged bit and I would be back on my feet. 

Instead, the MRI showed that while I did have two torn menisci, there was a whole lot more going on in there. The inside meniscus had multiple tears and 'partial maceration', clearly jammed out so it was not between the femur and tibia at all. The outside meniscus had a simple tear. 

However, the inner part of the knee had cartilage missing in segments 2.5 and 3.6 cm long, where one bone was directly rubbing on the other. This was deemed severe osteoarthritis. The other side was better but still work down significantly. 

The space under my kneecap showed moderate to severe arthritis, with a lot of bone softening and the patella was not tracking properly. Finally, I have a Baker's Cyst behind the knee which also impedes movement. 

For eighteen months I have believed I was dealing with a series of injuries to the knee and a long slow battle to eliminate pain and work more normally. I never suspected arthritis because I have no symptoms at all of arthritis anywhere else on my body. 

THEREFORE, NOT A STRING OF INJURIES, JUST WORN OUT AND DISFUNCTIONAL

The surgeon's opinion was that an arthroscopic surgery to trim the meniscus would have little impact on the knee pain and limited range of motion. I received a steroid injection to help while I go to physical therapy to regain full extension of my leg. 

There is nothing that will be further damaged by forcing the knee to full movement and therefore pain is not a warning to back off. The ultimate solution is a full knee replacement. After a replacement it is essential to have good range of motion, form a fully extended leg to more than 110 degrees folded, in order to walk normally and handle stairs. Going into the operation I should have that range of motion. Thus, the PT. 

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