torn meniscus...

At age 72, I suffered a seriously nasty fall onto concrete floor in a warehouse store in June '21. In addition to other damages to left side of body, I incurred meniscus tears (yes in the plural) to the knee along with tendon damages and what the orthopedic specialist called "a bone bruise." The pain was incredibly off the scale (like a 15 out of 10!). Really tough since I have serious reactions (hallucinations, night terrors, vertigo to name a few) to a number of usually prescribed pain medications.
Here it is February '24 and I am still dealing with the aftermath. Have had countless PT, twice which I had to discontinue due to the pain during the sessions and the consequences afterwards. Had an injection into the knee, which had to be repeated 7 months later. Pain under patella, sides of knee, behind the knee (along with visible swelling), down the leg and into thigh. Went for second opinion and that sports medicine specialist ordered another MRI. She emphasized no more PT and ordered a different type of injections (3 in total, spread 2 wks apart), followed by 3 wks of letting the injected material "settle" within the joint, and then PT for 2 months. I went to a different PT center for that round of therapy and it made all the difference. While the pain was not eliminated, I was taught exercises that strengthened the muscles in that leg, particularly around the knee, and that made such welcomed progress for ambulation. But stairs are still a bit of a concern since there is residual pain within the knee. At the post PT checkup last week, my doctor ordered yet another round of the 3 injections. Will probably have PT again after that series, but I am more than happy to avoid surgery altogether.
My body does not respond well to anesthesia so that coupled with my age (now 75), having osteoarthritis in both knees AND fibromyalgia, I am still not interested in surgery. Our daughter had a meniscus tear surgery and she had weeks of followup along with therapy. At the time she was a teen, so definitely more "repairable" than me at this stage in my life!
Waiting for approval from insurance (as happened with the other injections). The shots are a bit painful but I can take it. What I can't take is the thought of all that would be involved with surgery aftercare and great possibility of trading one somewhat tolerable situation for one that could involve more than I want to deal with.
BTW: I do the learned PT knee exercises at home, to maintain the progress that was made post injections last year. I no longer cry when trying to rise from a sitting position (due to the agony of the pain in and around knee) but I do encounter a level of difficulty. Considering all the factors, my age, and pre-existing health issues, I don't have false hopes of making anything resembling "a full recovery"....it is what it is🤔 And I am grateful for my present doctors!

Good afternoon @delia74. Thanks for the update and encouraging progress that you are sharing. I find your experience encouraging for one of my mindfulness colleagues who fell down the stairs at her lake home. Maryann was just approved to visit Palm Springs next week. I am wondering how her knee will handle the flying altitude.

May you have peace and ease.
Chris

Joe, so nice of you to respond!😊
No, ACL and PCL are both fine👍🏼. Surprising, considering the tremendous impact onto the concrete floor...My doctor has not indicated that any type of surgery is indicated. I am also dealing with osteoarthritis in both knees, which colors the picture. Plus the nerve damage. And did I mention that polymyalgia rheumatica and fibromyalgia keep me company as well?
I so relish days when all of those little demons stay in the background ---those are what I call "good days"!!
As I wrote in previous post, I'm looking to avoid any surgery. My system unfortunately REACTS horribly to anesthesia. (and pain meds)..last time I had it (in 2009), I passed out (in my hospital room, in bed) after asking my husband why there was a giant black spider making its way from the far wall to the ceiling..later I developed a whole-body itch, confusion, and a nasty headache. And there's enough going on with the nerve damage in that leg, so Im' not looking to aggravate anything. I'm willing to follow what my sports medicine doctor has been doing. So much more intelligent approach and involvement than what previous doctors (from the medical group that I altogether left) did and did not do. She earned my trust with the plan that she effectuated to release me of the rotator cuff and ulnar pain that was inflicted on the left should from the same fall that affected the lower part of my body. Before seeing her, my life was just total agonizing pain. Have had no pain in arm/shoulder since 2022!
I do thank you for making time to post your info. Your situation is clearly very different. I'm happy for you that you again have the use of your knees! I'm adjusting to the guidelines of how to do activities and which ones to delete altogether. I've always been a prolific baker and love to cook. Today, I baked gluten free brownies (rich in protein, using almond flour and adding hemp seeds), and made roasted butternut squash soup. I take my time, and sit as needed at the kitchen table or island. I double most recipes so that there's always something to heat up on days that I'm especially not well. I've accepted using a cane when we go out but just can't wrap my head on the idea of a rollator. Perhaps in due time, but just not yet....

Hi Delia!

Well I'm happy that the physical therapy is helping. As for anesthesia, I've always been fine with it but my brother gets extremely nauseous after anesthesia, so I understand why you would want to avoid that!

I think a lot of these problems that afflict us when we get older can be treated best with physical therapy rather than painkillers and other meds. It takes more work and there is no instant gratification, but the work provides a sense of accomplishment that is priceless.

You mentioned your rotator cuff. I'm plagued with osteoarthritis (thanks Mom!) and that's why I had my knees replaced. I do get pain in my left shoulder and arthritis has chewed through the cartilage that was there. But I manage in the gym, use over the counter pain meds like Aleve, and don't push exercising to the point of pain. When I asked the shoulder surgeon for advice after diagnosis he said, "Yeah. Avoid me!"

Physician humor I guess. I am one of the lucky knee replacement patients, and I worked very hard both before and after surgery.

I think your positive outlook is far more powerful than any pill or scalpel. Keep up the great work, it is inspirational!

Joe