Knee Surgery, Anyone?

[UNSTUCK]

Not sure how I tweeked my left knee, but it's not right. Doesn't feel like a bone or muscle issue, which leaves me really worried. All the other issues....torn this or pulled that.....means surgery doesn't it? I've had off and on pain and swelling for 3 weeks now. If I'm just standing, sometimes it wants to buckle or tries to hyper extend. I catch myself and then go on like nothing happened. Sometimes I have no issues at all. Yesterday I was running around playing with my kids with no issues. This morning, while standing and walking, the whole back of my knee feels like I'm in the middle of a stretch that is going too far. I have never had constant pain, but it's most tender and swollen just to the right side (inside edge) and next to/under the knee cap. Sitting down right now I have no problems.

Any ideas? Who's had surgery done? What was the cause? At what point should I see a doctor? Who should I see in Salt Lake?

Thanks.

 

[bryson]

... At what point should I see a doctor? ...

Sounds to me like you're a couple of weeks past that point. As far as doc suggestions, I have no good advice other than I've been to TOSH a time or two and felt like they knew what they were doing and treated me well.

 

[I Lean]

...my left knee, but it's not right.

Ha. Ha ha.

 

[anderson750]

There are lots of moving and stationary parts to the knee and it could be any number of issues. The issue you describe makes me think you have damaged either your acl or mcl. It sounds like you have some stability in the knee. Based on this and the fact that the pain had not been horribly bad, I am more inclined to believe that it is not completely torn.

I have never been to TOSH but have heard good things about it.

 

[rambrush]

Well I have learned that all of my wild ways in my younger years has caught up with my knees. I had something similar but mine came up with a diagnosis of osteoarthritis. They really cannot give a definitive answer until you have a mri xrays etc. I ended up with a cortisone shot but you can get the chicken parts version.
But go to a specialist that deals with it so he/she can make a proper diagnostic evaluation.

 

[nnnnnate]

I've had two knee surgeries and had another scare this last February. I had a piece of bone break off my femur in 6th grade and the two surgeries are from that. This last February I was playing church ball and felt a "pop" and lost stability in my knee. The internet told me that it was likely a torn ACL so I got in the next day to see a sports med doctor. My second surgery was with Dr. West at TOSH but my insurance doesn't cover them, I found a doctor at the U's sports medical building in research park. Dr. Powell was able to get me in the day after my injury. She couldn't see anything off my xrays and agreed that it sounded like an ACL (which doesn't show up on XRAY, you need an MRI) so we worked to schedule that.

My insurance was being stupid and wouldn't authorize the scan until my doctor had a one on one consult with them to justify it. She said it was a royal pain and that if they had read her notes they would have seen it was necessary but it was finally approved. After the scan it was determined that at 31 I have old man knees. I have a ton of arthritis and don't really have any cartilage left in my bad knee so when I was running down the court the two bones in my knee impacted each other rather than having the blow softened by the cartilage. This caused a hairline fracture that was aggravating the rest of my knee. I was told that I really shouldn't do any impact (running, cutting, jumping) sports anymore.

I think TOSH is a great place but its hard to get in quickly. My mom had her knee replaced there (age 48) and was happy with their care. I called the U because that is where I had insurance coverage and was very happy with Dr. Powell. She squeezed me in the same day I called and went above and beyond to satisfy the requirements of my insurance. My boss at work has had a lot of experience with the U sports medicine department as well and has been very pleased with them. He had his surgery with Dr. Aoki but has met with several of the other doctors.

Trying to wrap this up, I promise. Some will say that if you go to a surgeon they will automatically say you need surgery so you should go to a regular doctor first. They will do everything they can to fix the issue before referring you to go under the knife. I've done both and think that if you just get a good doctor they won't do you wrong. Whatever you do though you need to make sure you are covered by your insurance, MRIs are super expensive. If you can I'd go straight to a specialist and bypass your family doc to save time and money.

 

[airmanwilliams]

If you end up doing knee surgery and are interested in seeing all the instruments they use let me know and ill send you photos. Knee surgeries and hips are sooooo cool. Tons of instruments used. Our main knee/hip surgeon at the AF Hospital is Dr. Stock. Great guy and very good.

 

[TRD270]

http://healthcare.utah.edu/fad/mddetail.php?physicianID=u0165616

Who I've used, really good doc

Your symptoms sound a lot like what I have, but my pain is on the outside of my knee along with numbness. I learned I tore my MCL, no surgery just therapy recommended

 

[Houndoc]

My daughter has had knee surgery twice by Dr Charles Beck in South Jordan. Would highly recommend him.

First was ACL, second meniscus tears on the opposite knee.

If you were my patient, I would certainly recommend being seen at this point. Likely they will recommend an MRI, but a lot of knee issues can be treated without surgery.

 

[mbryson]

I'd go to at LEAST two orthopedics and get opinions from each. (I've had three knee surgeries so far...). They've all been arthroscopic. I had my right knee have a "lateral release". I can't emphasize enough how much I hate that. That was three years ago. Still can't run (pretty much don't expect to be able to do that again).

Make sure you TRUST the Dr.

 

[skiboarder]

I blew my PCL while skateboarding in 96. Dr. Rosenberg did my surgery was done while he was at the Tosh. He is now located in park city. Approximately ten of my friends have had their knees done by him. We all sing his praises. My wife is a trauma doc at our local hospital. She would go to him or to Dr richter. He is at McKay here in ogden. I teach skiing and snowboarding at Snowbasin. This means that I push my knee constantly. I have no problems with my knee what so ever.
As far as when to see a Dr. If it doesn't feel right, it's probably not. It's worth the visit even if it's for piece of mind.

 

[UNSTUCK]

Ha. Ha ha.

That's enough from the peanut gallery!

I've had two knee surgeries and had another scare this last February. I had a piece of bone break off my femur in 6th grade and the two surgeries are from that. This last February I was playing church ball and felt a "pop" and lost stability in my knee. The internet told me that it was likely a torn ACL so I got in the next day to see a sports med doctor. My second surgery was with Dr. West at TOSH but my insurance doesn't cover them, I found a doctor at the U's sports medical building in research park. Dr. Powell was able to get me in the day after my injury. She couldn't see anything off my xrays and agreed that it sounded like an ACL (which doesn't show up on XRAY, you need an MRI) so we worked to schedule that.

My insurance was being stupid and wouldn't authorize the scan until my doctor had a one on one consult with them to justify it. She said it was a royal pain and that if they had read her notes they would have seen it was necessary but it was finally approved. After the scan it was determined that at 31 I have old man knees. I have a ton of arthritis and don't really have any cartilage left in my bad knee so when I was running down the court the two bones in my knee impacted each other rather than having the blow softened by the cartilage. This caused a hairline fracture that was aggravating the rest of my knee. I was told that I really shouldn't do any impact (running, cutting, jumping) sports anymore.

I think TOSH is a great place but its hard to get in quickly. My mom had her knee replaced there (age 48) and was happy with their care. I called the U because that is where I had insurance coverage and was very happy with Dr. Powell. She squeezed me in the same day I called and went above and beyond to satisfy the requirements of my insurance. My boss at work has had a lot of experience with the U sports medicine department as well and has been very pleased with them. He had his surgery with Dr. Aoki but has met with several of the other doctors.

Trying to wrap this up, I promise. Some will say that if you go to a surgeon they will automatically say you need surgery so you should go to a regular doctor first. They will do everything they can to fix the issue before referring you to go under the knife. I've done both and think that if you just get a good doctor they won't do you wrong. Whatever you do though you need to make sure you are covered by your insurance, MRIs are super expensive. If you can I'd go straight to a specialist and bypass your family doc to save time and money.

This is good information. I kind of figured I'd need an mri to really know whats going on. I was hoping to find a place that would pretty much do that first, and cut out all the run around. What is TOSH? I'm not sure who my insurance will cover, but I know I can go straight to a specialist. How do I get a hold of Dr. Powell? Just call University Hospital or do you go through the sports department?

 

[I Lean]

What is TOSH?

The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital. http://intermountainhealthcare.org/hospitals/tosh/Pages/home.aspx

 

[nnnnnate]

I found her info on this page. Really though I just called the general sports med number and said I had hurt my knee the night before and needed to get in to see a doc ASAP, Powell was able to fit me in. Pretty sure your insurance will make you have an evaluation with a doc before you can get an MRI. When I went in to Powell she had me sit on the table and jiggled my good knee before doing the same to my "bad" knee. She said she did this to try and get a baseline of my joints and whatnot. I'm pretty sure the xrays were to rule out any bone issues even though thats what my problem was, my fractures were just to small to show up on the xray. We set up an MRI for the next week but it got canceled because I hadn't got the go ahead from my insurance.

One thing I really liked was that Powell gave me a few different options. She wasn't pushy about me needing to do anything in particular. I said I didn't have much stability in my knee so she offered me a knee brace that would help keep my knee rolling out to the sides. After the MRI she said the injury would heal on its own in 6-8 weeks. My cartilage issues are more pronounced on the inside of my knee so she said I could try some physical therapy to strengthen the muscles on the outside of my knee to try and evenly distribute my weight as I move around. It was nice to feel like I had a say in what my treatment would be. I decided to lay off activity for a month and see where I'm at before looking into the PT. I think I'm going to end up going that route though because my knee swells up from going on a walk with my dog (which she said was helpful to me knee) or even just standing in the garage working on my projects for an extended amount of time. (I'm 8 weeks out last Friday.)

TOSH is at the old Cottonwood Hospital off 5900 S. and just east of state street, they are the big sports medicine outfit for IHC. I'd probably call both places to see if one or the other can get you in sooner. Be prepared to wait though.

 

[gorillaxj]

Sounds like you should get it checked now... That's how my knee was after tearing 3 ligaments in my knee. I have had 2 knee surgerys since on the same knee. Not fun, take the physical therapy seriously and don't push it during recovery, stick to what the Doctors allow.

I also recommend TOSH. Loved the experience there.

 

[UNSTUCK]

Good to know, guys. I'll call them today.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[crimsonride]

This sounds EXACTLY like what's going on with my knee.... sometimes I can't bend it.... sometimes I can't straighten it.... sometimes I can do both....sometimes I'm just standing doing nothing, like last night, I'm standing there loosening the shoe laces and all of a sudden I fall over. Sometimes it just aches for no damn reason. But I get that same feeling like its stretching a muscle on the outside of my knee and towards the back.

I've been to the doctor twice and had X rays and they can't find anything terribly wrong with it. I guess it's time to get in to a specialist.

I will say this....It never felt better than right after I went dirt biking in Moab.... so basically you just need to get a dirt bike and ride it a bunch and you'll be healed. Don't try snowmobiling though... that made it worse.

I'd be interested to hear what you find ou about your knee though.

 

[gijohn40]

I have had surgery on both my knees... meniscus tear in both... the meniscus folded over locking my knee the first time... the second it just got between the cartilage and caused pain... started feeling the pains again on the inside of the knee and know from when it hurts that the meniscus has torn again. Only an MRI will see this. Lucky for me (or maybe not so lucky) the VA takes care of this knee.... so I might get seen soon... or maybe have to live with this for a few years on the dreaded wait list.

 

[DaveB]

I blew out my ACL in the early 80's playing basketball on a carpeted gym floor. Dr Rosenburg was my doc back then and he wanted my brother who was in orthpedics at the U to help do the surgery once he finished his residency. My brother would not do work on relatives. At the time the fad was artificial GoreTex replacements. My brother told me the jury was still out on them and told me to wait. I ended up waiting for over 20 years. It was good that I didn't go the artificial route as they were a total failure. I finally went and had it fixed at St Marks and the knee is much more stable. The MRI I had before the surgery was read as "no ACL tear" but I had been to enough doctors to know it was torn up. The doctor who did my surgery laughed when he read the MRI report. I ended up losing 60% of my cartilage and part of my patella tendon in order to clean everything up. I should have done the surgery way before I did. I spent over 20 years favoring one knee and accelerated the wear on my good knee so now I have two bad knees.

 

[nnnnnate]

I should have done the surgery way before I did. I spent over 20 years favoring one knee and accelerated the wear on my good knee so now I have two bad knees.

I'm afraid this is what happened to my "bad" knee. My initial injury happened in 6th grade and I had my first surgery in 10th. I still wanted to be a kid but whenever I ran or jumped or did anything physical on land I would have knee pain. I adjusted my walking/running so it wouldn't hurt as much which I'm sure is why the inside cartilage is way worse than the outside. My "good" knee still doesn't bother me but xrays show that I've got pretty bad arthritis in both of them.