 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi
I've been diagnosed with a meniscus tear and wondered if any Snowheads had skied with this injury?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I had one, and was advised by a consultant that I was uninsurable until I had an operation. But I guess it depends on individual circumstances.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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kartman, Is it painful ? I d like to know more as I suspect I may be a sufferer atm  What treatment, if any , has been recomended ?
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achilles, Did you have the Op? How did it go? Hadn't really considered insurance being an issue!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Depends on the extent of the tear. I certainly skied with a torn meniscus and was OK while skiing but found walking uncomfortable. I had it trimmed shortly afterwards - very easy day case operation done through the arthroscope. Good recovery, important to do all the recommended exercises but don't overdo it as I did. Was back skiing 6 weeks later.
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Bones, I'm taking Diclofenac (anti-inflammatory / pain relief) which helps considerably, without which it's fairly uncomfortable, particularly walking up and down stairs.
I'm having an MRI scan Thursday to confirm what the consultant thinks and I believe the recommended treatment will be to have the tear cut and or stitched by arthroscopy.
Where is your pain?
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kartman, yes I had a cartilage operation. The advice had followed a MRI scan - so the consultant had a pretty good idea of the extent of the injury. Everything went OK, but for quite a while I had to rest with my knee above my hip, and altogether it took about 6 months before I was fully fit. Fine now. I was warned that I might get arthritis earlier than I otherwise would - but so far no sign. That said, though I do the odd bit of jogging, I try to keep the bulk of my exercise (not enough  ) low impact.
Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Sun 20-01-08 23:49; edited 1 time in total
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skilegs, thanks! This is what I want to hear as I have a week booked for the end of Feb. I really want to go but concerned about causing any lasting damage. If I need an Op I was hoping to have it down in the summer ready for next years fix.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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skilegs, well done. My operation was going to be keyhole - but in the end was not. The outcome all depends on individual circumstances, I guess.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Bones, It's been painful since May 07, I didn't suffer any major trauma - I believe I caused the injury squatting and lunging using heavy weight with poor form!
It does seem to have worsened over the past few months though.
I initially went to my GP in July who prescribed ibuprofen for 4 weeks, I returned in Aug with continuing symptoms and he prescribed Diclofenac which helped with the pain but once I stopped taking them the pain returned. I went to see my GP again and he referred me to an Orthopaedic Consultant. I had to wait about 6 weeks for an appointment and the waiting list for an MRI if required is about 5 weeks. Not sure what the waiting list is for an Op?
I've been told that recovery is fairy quick should the Op be successful. If you have private medical cover the turnaround time would be much, much quicker!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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kartman, I've had a full ACL reconstruction and two Meniscii tear operations and I'm fine, You'll be fine too....how painful is at the moment??
Cartillidge tears don't affect stabillity and shouldn't cause you too much grief turning...try to stay away from Difene (diclofenac) whilst on holidays as they don't mix well with alcohol and basically will cut the stomach out of you!...two nuerofen in the morning will sort you out and if you have some tenderness across the front of the knee beneath the kneecap a decent neoprene support will help.
As for the operation....the average recovery time is 3-4 weeks after it as it's a pretty straightforward job....the torn piece of cartillidge has to be removed as it's restricting the fluid movements of the other ligaments in the knee so once the piece is whipped out the only healing that's required is the tissue damage that arthro camera has done.
And here's some food for thought....a Premiership footballer drops out of the team for 3 weeks for a meniscal tear.....so if a player who's club is paying him in excess of 40K a week can be fully fit and ready to make/take tackles in 3 weeks....a weeks piste cruising isn't too much to ask.
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You know it makes sense.
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| dazman wrote: |
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Cartillidge tears don't affect stabillity ....... |
Don't know if you are a doctor - I am not. But that is not my experience. I was fine most of the time. could even jog, But unpredictably the knee would buckle - it felt almost double jointed, as though it was buckling forward beyond the normal stop. Not saying that was what was happening, but it was how it felt. The consultant I saw was not only a well respected one, but also a friend (I do have some). He knew I did not want an operation, and did want to go skiing. His advice that I should not until I had had an operation was quite clear. My case of course - I suspect each one is different.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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I'm a physio actually.....you're talking about hyperextension where you over-straighten your knee, did you get a popping sensation too??...that usually means that it's tearing more because the flap (tear) is caught behind your ACL/PCL and it's pulling it forward....your leg locks as a reaction to the pressure being put your ligaments, this is all quite normal.
Each case is different as it depends on the severity and level of obstruction....ALSO in many cases the flap falls off and get's lodged in your knee causing similar problems.
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Poster: A snowHead
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dazman, I don't remember the popping, but it was disconcerting. Despite the MRI, the eventual operation was rather more invasive than originally planned - so I guess the extent of the tear was greater than was apparent from the MRI.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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kartman, I'm not medically qualified !!
I had one, they cut off the flapping bit (and I also have an 'eye' but there's not much you can do about it). Depends on the size of the tear. I skied with mine for abour 7 years (and played rugby with it for 10).
I also had a trashed ACL (I've got about half of it left according to the surgeon) that was a lot more serious but again not a showstopper as it turned out.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Bones, Have you been referred by your GP to see a consultant yet? They should be able to examine you and arrange for a scan if necessary. It's a slow process with the NHS unfortunately. Your injury certainly sounds more serious than mine however, how did you do it?
It's hard to face up to a season without a snow fix really hope you get it sorted soon!
dazman, I'm able to control the pain using Diclofenac, I take 2 everyday and it allows me to carry on almost normally. I've stayed away from running or cycling as this seems to aggravate it. Thanks for the advice re Diclofenac, didn't realise you shouldn't drink! I was thinking about buying a support - the pain is exactly as you described across the front below my knee cap (how did you know that!).
My week in St Anton is quite extreme though, I have a 5 day course booked with Piste to Powder, I just hope my knee can hold up for the week. Is the footballer you mention Drogba by any chance?
Nickski, my scan on Thursday should help to determine the extent of the problem, unfortunately though my appointment with the consultant to go through the results is not until I'm back, unless I can get a cancellation.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Sorry dazman, but I do not agree with quite a bit of what you say and am amazed that a physio would mis-spell cartilage, menisci and nurofen.
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Cartillidge tears don't affect stabillity and shouldn't cause you too much grief turning
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Cartilage tears actually do cause pain when you turn especially if the knee is bent (flexed) and loaded.
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the torn piece of cartillidge has to be removed as it's restricting the fluid movements of the other ligaments in the knee
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Fluid movement has little to do with it, nor do ligaments. The torn bit of cartilage mechanically obstructs the free movement of the bottom bit of the thigh bone (called the femoral condyle) on the upper bit of the shin bone (the tibial plateau).
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the average recovery time is 3-4 weeks
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Actually it's often longer, sorry Bones, and I would say that 6 weeks is more average.
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did you get a popping sensation too??...that usually means that it's tearing more because the flap (tear) is caught behind your ACL/PCL and it's pulling it forward
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It would be a huge flap if it managed to be behind both your ACL and PCL - in fact interaction between any flap and the ACl or PCL would be extremely unusual.
Bones and kartman, I hope my post has been useful to you.
Bones, I asked you some more questions in Dawn Chorus but I think that you have answered most of them here. If the pain is on the inside of the knee and towards the back, the most likely diagnosis is a degenerate tear of the medial meniscus (if you are beyond about the age of 40) which can be caused by kneeling on your haunches and especially if you get up from this position without putting one foot in front of you.
kartman, pain and tenderness directly below the knee cap is more liekly to be a patellar tendinitis then a meniscal tear.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Sorry Bones, with your description of the pain being on the inside and a lot worse on attempting to straighten the knee fully, IMV the most likely diagnosis by far is of a meniscal tear.
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Don't know if it's the done thing to mention other vforums but i got a lot of help with my ski injury (torn meniscus & ruptured ACL) from the kneegeeks forum on kneeguru.co.uk - you'll find a whole range of skiers on there with varying knee damage in varying stages of recovery.
FWIW i skied this christmas with my bust ACL and my torn meniscus...it was fine. I was well strapped up mind but the knee was no bother.
Sharon
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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snowlamb, I agree kneeguru is an excellent site
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Nick L, Thanks anyway, much appreciated for your trouble. Now have you a quick fix solution ? Dont suppose my old fractured patella would have any bearing on it would it ?
As for trying to ski with it, strapped up or not, I cant even limp properly
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Bones, just possibly as the next potential diagnosis down is probably osteoarthritis and this would be more likely to be set up in a knee with a previous significant injury (such as a fractured patella).
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Nick L, yes very helpful - thank you. I had thought patellar tendonitis or patello femoral pain syndrome was a more likely diagnosis given where my pain is, however the popping and clicking I get when I extend the leg and muscle wastage seemed to convince the OS that a tear was the more likely cause of pain.
Hopefully my scan Thursday will confirm one way of another. I'm hoping the radiographer will tell me there and then, as my next appointment with the OS in March.
Bones, sorry you did mention that you'd been to A&E, best of luck for Tuesday. You may get a scan and Op much quicker depending on the seriousness of you condition and your ability to work etc. I've been told the process is reviewed on the individual.
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| kartman wrote: |
Hi
I've been diagnosed with a meniscus tear and wondered if any Snowheads had skied with this injury? |
Yup skied probably for years with one before I had an MRI. Sudden jarring e.g. an unexpected mogul is the worst IME as it can cause the loose flap to jam in the joint. Mind you I could achieve the same getting out of the car so I wouldn't let it put you off.
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You know it makes sense.
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Kartman, don't know about you, but the big problem I had from a tear was that my teardrop quad in that leg eventually stopped working, physio says this is common, basically no lifting power in my right leg. I stumped up to go privately, had op in late October, managed to ski at New Year, until Thursday lunch, then abrupt loss of power in leg, couldn't initiate turns. Followed by gradula increase in pain in calf and swollen foot. Apparently I have now ruptured a Bakers Cyst, actually relieved as it was showing signs of a DVT. Anyway, still not fit, but will be on the slopes in St A on Sunday (if open, gales forecast).
Good luck with the op when you have it.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| kartman wrote: |
| Hadn't really considered insurance being an issue! |
I think you need to inform your insurance company, otherwise your cover may be invalidated.
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Poster: A snowHead
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fatbob, thanks - can you tell this is just what I want to hear!
Ghost Dog, I have muscle wastage, particularly on the inner quad muscle, which has certainly contributed to the deterioration of my knee pain. I'm trying to build this back up but it's hard to exercise this effectively without causing too much irritation.
Will you need surgery to remove the cyst?
Hope all goes well for the weekend and you get some good skiing, have a beer for me in the St Anton bar.
Jonpim, do you think it would invalidate my insurance even if I was claiming for a injury say to my arm?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Nick L, Thanks for the spelling lesson but it was never my strong point and I was rushing at the time , but allow me the right of reply...
A cartilage tear can normally be felt on full hyper extension of the lower leg....ie keeping your leg straight and pushing your knee inwards as to "overstraighten" your leg and also some tenderness at the side or front
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Fluid movement has little to do with it, nor do ligaments. The torn bit of cartilage mechanically obstructs the free movement of the bottom bit of the thigh bone (called the femoral condyle) on the upper bit of the shin bone (the tibial plateau).
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That's basically what I said...except I used laymans terms, not wanting to blind the person with terminology.
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Actually it's often longer, sorry Bones, and I would say that 6 weeks is more average
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No it's not....Patients are advised to start basic excercise the day of the surgery....six weeks is way below average.
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It would be a huge flap if it managed to be behind both your ACL and PCL - in fact interaction between any flap and the ACl or PCL would be extremely unusual.
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Not unusual at all, and the use of the / was to signify one or the other.
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pain and tenderness directly below the knee cap is more liekly to be a patellar tendinitis then a meniscal tear.
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Could be, but also could be a meniscal split caused by the tear.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Not going to argue dazman, you are clearly better informed than I am.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thanks for the update Bones. Has he told you to take some antiinflammatories (e.g. diclofenac - which is fine and safe for most people - contrary to above)?
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Bones, antiinflammatories have really helped me, in some cases I'm told they not only ease the pain but can help in the healing of the injury itself. Ibuprofen gave me ulcers but you could give these a try as a prescription is not necessary.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Kartman, the thing about the inner quad is that irritation of the knee shuts down the quad (according to physio) sso it's very difficult to force it to work, hence continued wastage. The cyst thing is meant to clear up now that it has burst (I blame moguls in Alpe D combined with an overly tight knee support. At New Year I wasn't convinced that the support was helping, physio thinks I'm probably right, but surgeon had recommended it.
Hope you get sorted quick.
To add my opinion about rehab, surgeon told me 6 weeks minimum before I was to ski, pointed out that I wasn't a super fit athlete in my twenties, but an unfit lawyer in my mid forties
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Nick L, I think he should talk to his GP before he takes Difene/Cataflam etc orally....as it can't be taken if he's on other certain medications and if he has any other complaints. (Heart, Asthma etc) so he'd safer using a Ibuprofen based NSAID.
Besides...I'm not sure about the UK but in Ireland diclofenac is a prescription drug.
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FAQ
and possible op next week 
