Knee Clean Out

[riptide]

Finally went to see the knee consultant today.. Apparently my knee is wearing out but not at the stage where he would recommend a knee replacement, as according to him I am still fairly wrong for this - oh joy something thinks I am not too old!!!

Anyway he has recommended a mri scan and depending on the results perhaps going in and cleaning up my knee. I hear varying reports about this procedure, none of them on a positive note I hasten to add. Has anyone had this procedure done, would they say they were better after it. My friend's husband had it done and did not think it made much difference.

My knee clicks out on a regular basis, almost daily, and I feel that anything that might help should be considered.

Thanks.

[woofgang]

Have you seen anyone else? I saw one physio who said I would need a knee washout which I didn't fancy at all. Anyway I went and saw another physio who confirmed the first one's diagnosis (meniscal tear and possible loose body) but who had a dicky knee himself and didn't want a washout either. He did some work on my knee and gave me home exercises and a massage technique to use (graston therapy)
http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/the-graston-technique-inducing-microtrauma-with-instruments/
the guy is a realist and said that i didn't need the expensive tool, to use a spoon handle or bowl or anything hard and smooth that was the right shape.
I know have a 99% fully functioning knee again! I don't rule out needing surgery at some point in the future but not yet. At the worst I was walking with a stick, using lifts and escalators and had a tens machine on my knee all day. I can now run, walk my dogs over rough ground and do stairs without a thought.

[riptide]

Thanks woofgang, I was referred by my GP and then booked this online with a consultant at a private hospital which you can do these days on the NHS.
My knee is a bit more complicated in that when it clicks out I have to fall over or grab a chair because I cannot straighten it and I then have to click it back in again. Used to be that it took hours to get it back although only used to go every couple of weeks. Now it can go at anytime, sometimes on a daily basis, although I can get it back straight away.. Had some xrays on it today, quite a few problems there. Very painful when it goes, also pain if I walk too far. Feel I should do something about it rather than wait for a few years like he has suggested before getting a new knee. Ruining my life in some ways as I am still very active and the more I do the more likely it is to click out. Dog pulled me over a couple of years back and this is when it first happened. Anyway thanks for your comments, always appreciated.

[woofgang]

sounds like yours is worse than mine, pain was about the same but if it gave way, it not stay bent but the straighten was agony....and yes the dog done it!

A mate of mine at work had both knees washed out in his mid thirties, a good outcome but his were totally trashed from playing sunday league football.

[Sqad]

Far too early to prognosticate on how successful the procedure will be, as we do not know what is wrong and what has to be done.
Come back to us after your have had the MRI scan.

[riptide]

Well he showed me the xrays today and the cartilage has all but gone and where the knee joins it had worn away at the edges with some bone showing. I am not a Doctor so tried to follow as best I could. Still hopefully the MRI scan might show more. Will let you know. Thanks all.

[daffy654]

I presume the hospital have given you a good knee brace to use? If not it might be worth asking for one until a decision is made as to your treatment in the long run.