Torn meniscus - to repair or not to repair?

I had two arthroscopies of my left knee back in the 90’s! Totally good experiences with both! I’m a Walker, 3 miles/day. Do yoga, ride my bike and take the stairs instead of the elevator in my condo building up to the 3rd floor. I don’t like the idea of shots. Good luck!

Thank you! I really appreciate it!

Sam - just curious. Why would a chiropractor be a good source of advice for a knee issue? I'm not being facetious, I'd like to know. Thanks!

Anyone who has handled many knee injuries can tell quite a bit by physically examining the knee and having the patient go through a range of movement.

Add to that a look at X-rays and MRIs...and sure they are going to have a good idea of what is going on.

There are plenty of massage therapists and physical therapists who can do the same thing.

As can an experienced sports trainer with a professional team.

It's not that doctors can't do it. It's that doctors won't take the time to do it.

So true. I was so surprised when my last physiotherapist watched me move, asked questions, reviewed records and seemed to hone in on what I needed. It wasn’t just one thing. She worked in several ways to get things better. Plus, I did what she asked of me and did my homework exercises, plus regular exercise to maximize the benefits. I got real relief. She is a very experienced physiotherapist and I think that matters.

Yes and that is what doctors won't do. Everything is now compartmentalized. And not to give us better treatment. Those are all just business decisions.

My sister-in-law just got diagnosed with cancer.

She had stomach problems for 2 years.

If the doctors had truly been scrupulous, instead of going through case after case quickly, they would have caught that cancer after 2 months, not two years.

This is what "compartmentalization" does. This is what current medical procedures do. They exclude the basic necessary common sense, of scrupulous attention to detail.

If we are smart and do research, sometimes we can find our way through, to get the help we need. I happen to know of a case in New York City where a very ill patient had to go through endless red tape to get medication necessary to keep himself alive. He fought with the bureaucracy over and over and over for years. Finally, he could not take it anymore, stopped fighting them and no longer had access to his medication.

He was dead in a few months.

This is what modern medical care has become. And all, by being a slave to money interests, instead of just treating medical conditions with medical protocols not set up by accountants.

Endless doctors have left the field and endless more are leaving the field because of this. All the compassionate people who should be giving medical care are leaving the field. And then what will be left? What will be left are the folks without much of a moral center at all, willing to obey any "rules" thrown at them.

You know, like Nuremberg.

Thanks, and that makes sense. Personally, I go to so many specialists I do't even know what my PCP is for. And specialization can be very good, but if Drs - even specialists - don't take a holistic approach to care, well that's where things get missed.

This puts much more responsibility on the patient to ask questions, and with online access to medical charts and the ability to communicate with a provider anytime, continue to ask questions even well after treatment.

My PCP never gave me my referral although I was clearly saying my knee was injured. I finally was reduced to crutches plus I have a 12 step staircase to live with plus I am 72. Plus lol the ACL in the same knee ruptured 16 yrs ago. We even had the discussion about the X-ray should be ordered by the ortho for insurance pmts. So I am still working 3 days a week and on my legs the entire time. Did not miss any work however I had to use knee supports for both knees as the opposite knee was now showing the pain too from overuse. I had enough and decided to visit my Chiro. He immediately after some manipulation diagnosed the tears as medial meniscus. Trust me when I say this I could not bear weight at all at the visit HOWEVER when I left after my first cold laser treatment I was bearing weight and happy with the pain relief and the K T taping. 7 weeks later I was finished and doing a regimen of exercises to get the strength back in my legs. I worked up to 60 to 100 reps twice a day. BTW my total ACL rupture healed without surgery also. Bear in mind it does take a huge commitment on your part to rehab. I did the rehabbing on my own.

Incredible story and good for you for putting in the required work. I'm just a few years younger than you and believe people like us should work even harder at exercising regularly, ideally under the supervision of a trainer.

So many surgeries could be avoided, delayed, or symptoms made better, if we put in some extra effort first. Surgery is always an option, and sometimes a good option. But even with surgery, commitment to post surgical rehab is a must.

Stick with it friend. Congrats on the hard work you're doing.

Luckily for me I was previously a certified aerobics instructor with many years working at sports clubs such as Pumping Iron. I used to do two back to back classes each 1 hour. I was lucky to know which exercises and how to push it to gain maximum benefits. I also rode horses. Being so active has it’s benefits as we age. Thanks for your encouragement and kind words I really appreciate it.