Chronic knee pain 10 months post lateral meniscus debridement

[stillinpain72]

Hi All,

I had about 1/3 of my lateral meniscus removed 10 months ago. It has been nothing short of a disaster. After believing the hype that I would be back to 100% in 4-6 weeks, I am instead at about 60%. I was probably 75-80% prior to surgery. I have always been an avid runner and hiker, and these things I just can't do right now. I am 38 years old, not overweight, and otherwise in good health and condition.

I had a complex tear of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus. I had no ligament damage and all the cartilage and everything else in the knee looked great. The surgery was a complete success according to my surgeon.

8 months post op I had another MRI. This revealed "lateral comparment articular cartilage has superficial thinning and fissuring". And while this could have occurred in the last 9 months since the debridement, the thinning and fissuring is "very minimal" according to my doc. My ligaments still look good, and I have good strength and resistance according to my physical therapist. There is just no good reason to be experiencing the type of pain I am experiencing, according to my docs.

3 weeks ago, I finished a series of 3 orthovisc injections. And while I thought I may have had a little boost, I am now in as much pain as ever. The pain, btw, is hard to describe. I guess I would describe it as the joint feeling swollen and throbbing on the inside. It is particularly bad at night, and sometimes is the worst about 24 hours after I hike or go bikeriding.

I need help! Has anyone had a similar failed surgery. And if so, what have you done?

With my knee otherwise in such good condition, I feel like time is of the essence. I can't stand the idea that I am wearing away my cartilage now that part of my meniscus is gone. I want to do all that I can to protect it, I want to live with less pain, and I have not given up on the ldea of running again someday!

Has anyone tried Actifit or Menaflex? What has the experience been like for you?

How about stem cell injections? I have heard of a place here in Colorado called Regennex with Dr. Centreno. Anyone have any experience or advice?

Thanks in advance!

[amaaok]

I have a very similar situation. I am hanging my hat on stem cell injections. I have had my consult already and have spoken to 2 very happy patients whose procedures were successful.  I am looking for as many people as possible who have had the procedure. It is certainly somewhat involved, but I am tired of not being able to do what i am accustomed to doing. I own/teach at a martial arts school. I was a runner, biker, etc., etc., I would suggest you pay for the consultation with Regenexx. It will give you great insight on the surgery you had.

[stillinpain72]

HI Aamock,

Thanks for the reply. Can you tell me more about the nature of your injury and your history? What kinds of things have you tried before Regennex? What has your experience been like with them so far? Thanks

[mtlady]

Hi Stillinpain72,

Is the pain you are having now different from the pain you had before your surgery?  Does it ever feel like a burning or electric sensation?  Does the pain radiate to other parts of your knee or calf?  Some people that have knee surgeries, especially to the medial parts of the knee, will have pain because nerve(s) were irritated or damaged during the surgery.  And the nerve problem wouldn't necessarily show up on an MRI. 
Just a thought.

mtlady

[stillinpain72]

Hi Mtlady,

I have wondered if it could be a nerve or plica issue, but I don't believe it is. Sometimes the pain will radiate a bit upwards towards the ITBand, and sometimes medially across the patella, but 98% of the time I have a deep joint ache in the lateral compartment right where the anterior horn of my lateral meniscus was debrided. I guess it feels a little like burning at times, but not so much electric. The pain is WAY different than it was before the surgery. Before it was more of an uncomfortable/weak feeling with light pain...Now it is deep joint pain, sometimes throbbing, but always there...

[LindaM]

Hi there,

That deep, throbbing, swollen feeling sounds awfully like what I have experienced with arthritis.  Even though yours is in the very first stages, when I started having arthritis in my knees by the end of the day I was ready to throw up from the pain.  Your surgery and the swelling could have triggered additional arthritis inflammation.  Have you tried taking an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprophen?  It can take a week or more to fully kick in because your knee has had this for a while, but it is worth a try.

 I was lucky to have a rheumatologist from the beginning of my arthritis who got me on medications that keep me almost completely pain free(stormy days are a bummer ). The over-the-counter works at max doses, but a doctor may put you on a higher dose and has many more choices to work with.  In my over 20 years of treatment I have tried almost every one on the market and some are better with one person's body chemistry than others.  I am also getting regular blood work to avoid any problems, so the cost of the visits are worth it to me.  You might want to consider asking your regular doctor for a referral, at least to make sure that it is simply the start of osteoarthritis and not a more serious type.

Best of luck on solving this soon.

Linda