Who to see about my knee?

[Simon]

Hi,

I'm new to this site and I'm trying to find out the best place for me to get my knee checked.

I'm 27 and I race bikes. I've ridden between 7,000 and 15,000 miles per year for at least the past 10 years, so my knees get a fair amount of use. I crunched my right knee about 3 or 4 years ago whilst doing leg extensions on a weight bench. No-one's ever said what I did to it, but I guess it was cartilage tearing that I heard. It was not painful, but I heard something tear and it's clicked when walking up stairs ever since :-/

I saw my G.P. and he told me to ignore it and come back if it locked up or became painful . I wasn't happy with that so I saw a physio who told me to take 8 weeks off the bike and advoid running. That was two years ago. Lately it's been sore/itchey behind the knee cap and I can feel it catching on something during the first mile of a ride, after which it pops over it and starts running smoothly.

I had 10 days of no training and then went to see local physio a couple of weeks ago. She couldn't find anything wrong, said there was surprisingly little wear on my cartilage, and that there was no reason for me not to do running etc. She just kept saying I had amazing legs! I restarted training and my knee has been itchey/sore all week so I've had to stop again.

I'm not convinced by what she said (apart from the amazing legs bit  ) and, although my knee's not painful, I'd like to get it checked before it gets worse. I'm just confused as to who I should go see. Is a physio able to diagnose cartilage injury? or is it better to go to an osteopath? I think I need a sports orientated whatever and I'd like to go to the right place as it gets expensive paying for consultations that don't tell me anything.

kind regards,

Simon.

[mj/usa]

Simon--

At your level of sport, I won't play around with physios or osteopaths---I would look for the best sports medicine place in your city and go to the best orthopedic person there.  We have only 2 knees and it is imperative to take the best care of them that we can. You want to keep up your level of exercise for as long as you can and I think that seeing the best qualified person possible.
take care adn good luck
MJ

[Simon]

Thanks MJ. I agree with what you say, but I don't know of any "sports medicine places" around here. From what I've seen, it's either I go see a physiotherapist, an osteopath or my GP.

I'm not sure of which area best covers knee/cartilage injuries. I will keep looking for a sports injury place though.

Thanks,

Simon

[jathib]

You need to see an orthopedic doctor to really get a proper diagnosis. Physios and osteopaths can't diagnose anything really. In USA you can't go to a physical therapist without written orders from a doctor. At least none I have ever been to will see you. But you probably should have an MRI at least and that will require a doctor.

[mj/usa]

Simon--

I don't know where you are, but if you check out the Kneeguru web site:  www.kneeguru.co.uk on the left hand side there is "find a doctor".  Click on that, and then on your nearest city and that's how you can find good knee people.  I found my surgeon that way and am very happy with the level of care I have received.
Good luck
MJ

[Iona_-Uk]

Simon

Do you know anyone who has been treated by a sports O/S because one of the best ways of finding a reputable o/s is on personal recommendation.

Good luck and wishing you a speedy recovery.

Iona

[Simon]

Thanks jathib, MJ and Iona  

I had a look on the kneeguru site and it shows one clinic based in London. That would be my nearest as I live in Suffolk. I've filled in their on-line form to request some info, and asked them if I need a referal from my G.P in order to have a consultation.

I definitely think it's worth going to see a specialist. My sister's been waiting a year to have an arthroscopy done on her knee with the NHS. She's only 23. Apparently she chipped a bit off her knee cap a few years ago when she tripped over the dog and it's been floating about in there damaging her cartilage. Her knee is now far worse than mine and causing her pain.

I don't want to ignore mine at this stage and have them become worse. So a trip down to London would be worth while I think.

Simon

[Simon]

Thanks noueuse   I guess I should of had my knee checked out properly at the time I crunched it. That's why this time I'd like go somewhere that knows more about knee injuries than my G.P.

I'll wait and see what the place in London says.

Simon