Just had an MRI scan on my knee and the results weren't good

RE: Just had an MRI scan on my knee and the results weren't good (Lynx100)

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 04:21:23 GMT

Exercises will be directed at maintaining muscle mass and function without damaging the knee anymore. Your best guide on this matter will be a physiotherapist.

All the best. Hope things work out. Youre young - you should heal very well. Dont stress too much

RE: Just had an MRI scan on my knee and the results weren't good (raidendavidb)

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 09:49:04 GMT

I'm going to have to get a note from the consultant as I do GCSE PE and none of my teachers will let me do practical until they get the note detailing what I can do, this also gets in the way of a camping award type thing I'm doing which I was told I can't go to by the teacher arranging it.

If worse comes to worst and I'm not allowed to do anything during this year my school will have to send a letter to the exam board about PE. What kind of exercises would I be recommended because I wasn't really told about anything as they're still unsure.

Thanks for the help but I still don't know how long it is before I have my 1st operation.

RE: Just had an MRI scan on my knee and the results weren't good (Lynx100)

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 06:14:57 GMT

Its not that surprising that you can walk etc on your knee. You dont NEED an ACL to function. Its very important but you dont NEED it. Ive seen a few patients who were older have an ACL tear - they didnt get it repaired and still do pretty well on it.

The important thing right now is rehab. The things that keep your knee joint stable (apart from the ligaments in the knee) are your hamstrings and quads. They stabilise the knee joint. It is important from a physio point of view to have strong leg muscles. See your physio in the meantime to get exercises - best to start with isometric exercises and progress from there.

In either case, the best thing to do is listen to your Orthopedic surgeon. Hope it all works out for you. Oh, and please, PLEASE, follow instructions given to you after the operation in order to recover. Too many of my patients come back not having followed instructions and have complications and dont heal well. so Please, do your rehab and physio properly and throughly!!

RE: Just had an MRI scan on my knee and the results weren't good (raidendavidb)

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 11:59:45 GMT

Damn are you a consultant or radiologist? Thats what my consultant said I'm going to have the operation you detailed to check how bad it is and replace the meniscus, then I may have a 2nd operation to get a graft of ligament from my hamstring.

I'm 15 so they should be able to repair it although I'm likely to have future problems with my knee and it will never be as good as before. I play a lot of sport (soccer in paticular) which may explain the twist. I don't feel any pain anymore although when I was more active before my knee swelled up a lot, I had to get a cast over it and use crutches until the fluid drained out of my knee. It was painful a 2nd time 7 months later but not as bad and I got an appointment for the MRI scan which I had months later.

In the mean time I've been able to do nearly everything with my leg normally (walking, running albeit not as fast/powerful as I used to be) without pain which is what surprised the consultant and is so strange.

RE: Just had an MRI scan on my knee and the results weren't good (Lynx100)

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 07:08:15 GMT

Youve done your knee pretty badly. Im guessing it was a sports injury looking at parts that were injured. Depending on how old you are, you may or may not need surgery.

Someone with a knee like that should have pain in the knee, knee sometimes buckling/giving way when you walk and can also 'lock'

If you are an active young person - the chances are that it will be repaired with an operation.

To fix the ACL - the 2 most common options for graft (which you will need) are either from 1) you hamstring or 2) you patella. While they are in the knee, they can fix the flap in your meniscus as well. This can be done through a 'key-hole' surgery.

But saying all this, a lot of it depends on your age, lifestyle, job and activity level. Your best bet would be to go see your Orthopedic surgeon.

Hope this helps.

Just had an MRI scan on my knee and the results weren't good (raidendavidb)

Sat, 08 Sep 2007 05:28:58 GMT

Anyone know what all this means and how serious this is as from people I've asked and the consultant all think I shouldn't be able to walk right now.

"There is complete rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament is buckled. Femur is slightly displaced backwards. There is a bucket handle tear present in the lateral meniscus and grade III degenerative changes present in the posterior horn of the medial meniscus and there appears to be a FLAP tear also present in relationship to the posterior horn of the medial meniscus.Both collateral ligaments show normal signal intensity. Moderate effusion present in the joint and no significant patello-femoral joint abnormality seen.
Conclusion: Complete rupture of the ACL. Bucket handle tear of the lateral meniscus and a FLAP tear of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus and grade III degenerative changes in the posterior horn of the medial meniscus."

Basicly my joint is screwed.