Knee trouble - how to get it treated.

Jesper

Tear/pinch of meniscus in knee

Apparently I'm damaged my meniscus in my right knee. I'm mobile and can do certain exercise and fitness but anything involving twisting/turning/acceleration is taking a risk. I can just about play soccer once a week for 45 minutes.

My physio says I can live with this or look to get it scanned and 'pair of the damaged meniscus'. Its been particularly bad lately so I'm going to get it treated.

So my question is (not medical advice) how do I start the process of getting this treated? I have never registered this as an injury with my GP or doctor. I have no medical insurance right now but I am thinking of getting on one of the cheaper ones and in 3 months going about it. Would this work? Even then how do I get it fixed?

Zzippy

Jesper wrote: »

Tear/pinch of meniscus in knee

Apparently I'm damaged my meniscus in my right knee. I'm mobile and can do certain exercise and fitness but anything involving twisting/turning/acceleration is taking a risk. I can just about play soccer once a week for 45 minutes.

My physio says I can live with this or look to get it scanned and 'pair of the damaged meniscus'. Its been particularly bad lately so I'm going to get it treated.

So my question is (not medical advice) how do I start the process of getting this treated? I have never registered this as an injury with my GP or doctor. I have no medical insurance right now but I am thinking of getting on one of the cheaper ones and in 3 months going about it. Would this work? Even then how do I get it fixed?

Not medical advice, just my experience of similar injury. Get to your GP pronto, tell him you want to be referred to a good orthopaedic surgeon who specialises in knees. Follow the ortho's directions - meniscus tear will almost certainly be best treated with keyhole surgery to repair the tear.
My experience - good surgeon, minimally invasive surgery, back jogging 2 weeks post-surgery, played a full competitive match (hurling) 6 weeks to the day after the op. Had been out for months prior to the op with pain from turning etc, similar to yours. Do your research on good ortho surgeons and ask to be referred to them. Can't help with your query on health insurance etc, sorry.

dines08

Zzippy wrote: »

Not medical advice, just my experience of similar injury. Get to your GP pronto, tell him you want to be referred to a good orthopaedic surgeon who specialises in knees. Follow the ortho's directions - meniscus tear will almost certainly be best treated with keyhole surgery to repair the tear.
My experience - good surgeon, minimally invasive surgery, back jogging 2 weeks post-surgery, played a full competitive match (hurling) 6 weeks to the day after the op. Had been out for months prior to the op with pain from turning etc, similar to yours. Do your research on good ortho surgeons and ask to be referred to them. Can't help with your query on health insurance etc, sorry.

3 knee ops, one piece of advice. Don't just assume you will be back as soon as this poster. Take your time, he was probably best case scenario. If it takes you 2-4 weeks longer then take it. Do your Rehab and physio properly and you'll be back as good as new

collette doyle

I have to have meniscus tear surgery in few weeks and told my leg in a brace. do I need to wear brace in bed? how long is recovery period. doc said 4-6 weeks but have been hearing it could take longer. We heading off on hols 7 weeks after surgery and don't want to have to cancel.

jlm29

It's a pre-existing injury, so if you get health insurance now, you won't be covered for it for a long time. (Maybe 5 years? Can't remember). I know you haven't mentioned it to your gp, but I suppose that since you've seen a Physio about it, it would count as pre- existing! If the insurance was to find that out, after you'd had a procedure done privately, you'd get a hefty big. Go public- shop around and see where the waiting lists are shortest... But go to someone good too!

jimblack

I have had football injuries in both my knees.
meniscus tear i had in the right knee.
What is the extent of the injury?
Did knee get swolen when you injured yourself?
Do you feel the knee is giving way when you are standing straight?
My advice to you :
1. Rice: rest ice compression elevation
2. Visit a physio and learn the exercises to strengthen your knees, back & thighs(yes make them strong so it takes the pressure of your knees).

This should be enough.

If you are still not sure then go for x-ray + mri.


Cheers,
Jimmy

Ivan.Drago

dines08 wrote: »

3 knee ops, one piece of advice. Don't just assume you will be back as soon as this poster. Take your time, he was probably best case scenario. If it takes you 2-4 weeks longer then take it. Do your Rehab and physio properly and you'll be back as good as new

Agreed.
Can't help with your medical insurance issue.
First thing is to get a reference from a GP to see a knee specialist and take it from there.

Before even considering returning to a sport or a related activity I would highly recommend ascertaining what the initial reason for the injury was. Far too many people return to sport after rehabbing the injured bodypart without adressing the underlying issue. An example would be immobile ankles causing knee problem but the injured party never addressing their ankle mobility issues. Again, refer to a medical professional here.