Torn knee cartilage and MRI scans

just got back from being stuck in a machine (tubular thing) for scanning my knee. which is all well and cool just wondering if anyone knows anything about this very load machine. The result of the whole thing is that the cartelidge in my knee is torn which is letting out the liquid behind my knee cap. have to go see a specialist about this tomorrow, but the guy at the doctors today thought they would have to go in and take a look surgically. does anyone know anything about this kind of thing and how serious it is?

MRI scan???

that would be the one. It was a really cool place (in freising actually) had a clinic with a whole bunch of these things. the pictures are quite impressive as well.

I'm afraid I don't know anything about cartilage problems, best of luck at the doctor's tomorrow.

I have had MRI scans in the past, though, so I hope you have good insurance because they cost (dare I say it?) an arm and a leg.

I had an arthroscopic operation due to cartilage problems in 1994 and was on crutches for 10 days afterwards, not to mention physiotherapy. Much better than the invasive OP in 1980 when I was in the hospital for two weeks. The arthroscopic OP was in to the doc's office at 8, OP, wake up, recover until about 11, home. Check up the next day and again 3 days later and a week after that. Elastic stocking against thrombosis, jab yourself in the thigh or stomach once a day with anti-coagulant. But the doc should be more informative and technical than I can be. I do recommend it over massive surgery.

See also the related TT topics:

• Knee operation experiences at the Wolfart Klinik
• MRI scan - recommended centers

iain, get your arse down to Sportmedizin if you have private insurance. I dont know much about the injury you talk about but these guys are great with knees. Read the first thread that Editor Bob posted above and you will see everyone that went there is very happy with the results.

Sportmedizin-Muenchen.de
Praxis für Orthopädie & Sportmedizin

Fon: + 49 (0) 89 / 1 29 20 33
info@sportmedizin-muenchen.de
Nymphenburger Strasse 108a
D-80636 München

Website

Two years ago, I had a torn miniscus (sp)
Did it playing tennis, next morning I could barely walk but managed to get a works
ambulance to Perlach hospital.

Kept in overnight, exploritory op the next day, in overnight again. The op had obviously
led to drainage and movement was fine, I just had to take it easy for a couple of weeks,
as there is nothing that can be done.

Cost about 500euro for 2 nightstay, op and xrays. No bad.

Hi,

I would recommend my Dr. (Orthopädie). He is really good (and accept both private and public!):

Dr. Schmid
Fachartz für Orthopädie
Werinherstr. 3
81541 München
089/697 00 02

Good luck and a speedy recovery!

I damaged my left knee last August and its still not fixed after being mis-diagnosed with torn ligaments. Top knee surgeon friend has told me that its cartilage damage and so weeks and weeks of expensive physio was completely useless as it needs surgery... gggggrrrrrrrr...

The bitch is that it will probably never be 100% again.

Nothing to add - just needed a rant.

Ta

That is not good. I went to a Dr. first (Dr. Nagel, not recommended at all) and said I needed a meniscus op. (although the MRI said meniscus was fine). He even made an appointment for that.

I went to Dr. Schmid and he said that I did not need a meniscus op at all (I even had another Scan to check it again) and said that it is sore because the tibia is "bonebruised" (and the cruciate ligament is getting better, but still torn..)

Oh well, welcome to the wonderful world of the f...d knees...

Anyway, I think it is important to get a second opinion from a different doctor..

Gute Besserung to you all

Another recommendation from me for the praxis listed by Tom17 - if they are good enough for people who need their knees to earn their living, then that's enough for me.

I recommend Dr. Schmid. The guy doesn't really look like a doctor though. He wears Nike shirts all the time which I found strange. Then I found out he's sponsored by Nike and he's even got a picture with himself and Tiger Woods on the wall. Nice guy, all around. He helped me out with my leg stress fracture.

The MRI can only see the shadows of damage. You will need arthroscopic surgery to see all the damage. There are several ways of repairing this kind of damage and they might be able to do then and there with the look see. It is not all that invasive as they simply insert a small fiberoptic camera. Get it done as the alternative is degredation of the knee.

way back in the 80's I had to have orthoscopic surgery on my left knee to remove about 1/3 of the cartilage (it was "shredded" from a car accident: me on bike vs car. the car attacked me first.). anyway, it was at that time still a painful surgery - I still cringe when I remember what it was like waking-up after the surgery.

but the technique and tools have greatly improved since then, and in some cases the surgery can be an out-patient procedure. so that's good.

BUT, if a doctor says he wants to just drain the fluid from your knee... RUN LIKE HELL!! ... or limp as the case may be...

Why?

I ve had fluid drained from my knee before. Not as bad as not being able to walk.

ok shit just had the fluid drained from my knee for the second time!?! Why is this bad?

For future reference, I have been to Dr Caro (Jun) for damaged cartilage and have been receiving a serious of injections for it (it was recommended by one of the trainers at my gym). They are located in Waldtrudering. Would definitely recommend them. I think he may only take private but worth asking. (PS He speaks fluent English but his dad doesn't)

http://www.drcaro.de/

yeah it's a bit late for that now though. Just had atroskopie done on my knee to tidy things up and remove stuff that was forming that shouldn't have been forming. Moral of the story get more than one opinion and act quickly when it comes to knees.

Thanks for the link though, I really should consider going private.

Yep I would second the immediate advice thing. I left it 2 months thinking it would just heal itself - a ski jump gone wrong...
Still cannot run but luckily am still allowed to cycle.

I left it 1-2 years and I really paid for it. The advice on getting knees seen to immediately is spot on.

yep I'm in the middle of paying for it right now.