Originally Posted by
hags
I had a torn meniscus due to a work injury. I went to see a well known orthopedic surgeon at a high end sports/orthopedic center and he recommended surgery (of course).
The surgery was a nightmare, the pain was worse, I couldn't do any physical therapy due to the pain, swelling and restricted range of motion.
I had so much swelling that it had to be drained 3 times. I had numerous cortisone shots to no effect.
Another MRI and another surgery, 18 months of physical therapy, cortisone shots and I was still in pain with limited range of motion.
The only thing that helped me rehabilitate my knee after three years of getting nowhere was getting back on a bike, strengthening my quads and losing weight.
The kicker is that I've since found out that a torn meniscus doesn't require surgery in the majority of cases.
If I was you I'd get an MRI and lay off the impact exercises such as running.
Who are we to question people who went through years of medical school (and now must pay off their tuition loans)?
I have known several people who were assured by doctors that they absolutely needed surgery for:
- knee pain
- torn rotator cuff (shoulder injury)
- back pain
- you name it.
I and two other people I know were assured that we would never recover from a torn rotator cuff without surgery. (In my case, the doctor based his recommendation on an MRI of my shoulder.) All of us declined surgery, rested the shoulder, and recovered completely in 6 months or less with no medical treatment.
My sister suffered a back injury when she was 20 and had surgery. Her back has been a problem ever since (she is now in her 70's). I suffered a similar injury, and she told me my back would never be the same. An
ethical orthopedic surgeon put me on an exercise regimen that not only healed my back, it made it stronger than ever. (I am 67 and I just finished hauling 80-lb. bags of cement and pouring footings for a deck.)