What will happen? - Knee & Hip Problems Message Board

kyma3 · 06-26-2008, 10:33 PM

I have been having a lot of problems with both of my knees but my left knee is the worse. I have had trouble going down stairs for a long time but lately the swelling and pain has really been bad. I had a MRI done and they just called me today with the results: Tear in the meniscus and they have scheduled an appt. with an Orthopedic surgeon on Monday. I had had another MRI done 3 years ago and the results were "a small tear of the meniscus" so I asked the nurse today if it was larger and she said there were no remarks made. I feel with the pain being as bad as it is now that it must have enlarged but not sure. What is usually the next step? Do they do an arthroscopy? I wish they had gone ahead and done both knees because my rheumatologist had told me the cartilage was gone in both knees. He only did x-rays and not MRI. I guess I will have to wait and see what the doctor says on Monday but thought maybe someone could give me some information from their own experiences.

Linda

kyma3 · 06-28-2008, 01:54 AM

I received a copy of the MRI and it states also that there is a Baker's/popliteal cyst also. I really don't understand any of this but will get busy on the internet. Any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks
Linda

lthomas · 06-29-2008, 08:08 AM

Baker's cyst are pretty common. They can drain it but from what I usderstand it can come back.

Arthroscopy is mainly to remove loose or floating bodies and smooth the bone. They can remove the meniscus or repair it. I had so much damage they removed mine. MIR don't always show the damage or how bad it is. They show soft tissue damage. CT shows bone.

kyma3 · 06-29-2008, 10:22 PM

Thank you so much for your information. I am fairly new to this knee thing although I just got over major back surgery and had 2 previous neck surgeries.

So would it have been better to have a CT scan instead of MRI? My rheumatologist told me last year after doing x-rays that my knees were gone!! He said I am bone on bone in both knees but did not refer me to a surgeon. I went back to him this past April and told him that my knees are hurting really bad and causing a lot of problems with walking. If they take care of the tear then won't I still have pain from bone on bone?

I did read up on the Baker's cyst and it does sound common but I am not sure exactly which one is causing the most pain because I sure get sharp stabbing pain in both of my knees.

Thanks for the information and I will let everyone know what the surgeon says tomorrow. I know that my knees give out on me if I am standing for very long and they also hurt if I sit for very long.

Linda