Torn Cartilage Knee

I have had some knee problems for a long time, it gets better and worse depending on how hard I push

Last 2 weeks it worsen again and deiced to go to the doc, and he suspects, Torn Cartilage in my Knee and recommend a specialist

I took some x-rays over weekend to take with to my next appointment.

Doc so far suggest I get operation done, cut the Torn Cartilage and remove it - as he says it does not heal very quickly due to lack of blood going in it

My personal trainer suggest I wait as long as possible to do opp, as it is only worse now but will get better again. And after some of these opps, it gets worse

what is your take on this?

From what I understand sounds like the lateral cusps of the cartilage has torn. It very seldom grows back, due to not a lot of blood and nutrients going to it.

What can happen is that the cartilage is torn totally off and then floats around in your knee. When you least expects it, it goes in between the joint and locks your knee up, in which case you either must do the op.

I would suggest you see a specialist (you mention doc, I dont know if this is a specialist or normal GP). If he advises on the opp, do it.

Also sounds like you could have inflammation in your joint (getting worse and better). The specialist will also be able to help out in that case.

Bud the op is the way forward, my father snapped the cartilage and he actually couldn't walk. Went for the op and walked out the hospital the next day after key hole surgery,its really a miracle what these doctors can do these days...

Not too bad mouth your trainer or anything, but if he is putting his salary before your health in terms of advising you to stay, there is a small problem there haha. Good luck for your recovery tho should you do the op

Like the others say, an injury to the knee is not something you mess around with.

I was once in the unfortunate situation of nearly having my leg amputated due to a Moto-X accident (as I raced professionally for many years). As a result of the accident, I got an infection that settled underneath my kneecap that almost resulted in me losing my leg. I'm happy to say that all is now well and I can train with no problems.
I thank God that He was looking after me.

I know it's got not nothing to do with your circumstance, but my point is that your mobility is key factor to your everyday life and well being. Go and see that specialist... He'll evaluate whether surgery is necessary or not.
In the meantime, take it easy. Rest that knee of yours until you get an evaluation from the people who know what's best.
That way you won't damage anything further...

I think the trainer that does my Bodyfat is just very old school with opps and stuff

Thanks for all the feedback guys, I was just worried that I can not train for too long, but seems in the end this opp is necessary and need to do ASAP.

Will see what specialist says on Wednesday and if he says we do it, try get it done before end of year still.

If anyone can suggest a exceptional specialist please let me know, in JHB/PTA area - willing to travel to get the best there is out there, to make sure I only do this once

Hi Crawler.

I have the name of one of the top knee surgeons in South Africa, located in Pretoria at Little Company of Mary. I am in the medical field and have worked with him before. My colleagues at work also indicate that he is the best.

Mods, Please indicate if I can post his name here? If not, crawler, please send an email to admin to get my email, then I can forward all details to you.

Hi SV,

I had a look on the site and spoke to a friend of mine that went there, he got operated by Dr Daan du Plessis.

Please let me know who it is you can suggest

thanks in advance

Hi crawler.

Dr Daan is good, but try Dr Eugene Pelser. Telnr is 012 346 8399 or 346 3527.

He is really good, even the medical reps talks very highly about him and his skill.

Hope you come right. Good luck

SV wrote: Hi crawler.

Dr Daan is good, but try Dr Eugene Pelser. Telnr is 012 346 8399 or 346 3527.

He is really good, even the medical reps talks very highly about him and his skill.

Hope you come right. Good luck

Great SV, thanks for info will def do that!

I'd very be surprised if the cartilage was completely torn. I'd expect more of a fraying of a piece of it, which gets aggravated during certain movements. If it was torn I doubt you'd be walking around or doing any exercise on it.

I had some work done on a fraying meniscus, surgery on the friday to tidy it up, I was in the gym on sunday putting it through gentle cycling and rehab exercises.

It wasn't very long before I was performing unilateral movements to help build up strength and stability again before returning to bilateral work.

DC EVO, sure it is not completely off, but damn this is the worst it has been, and could not train legs this week. In mornings I am fine, but start 'limping' during day and night time it is damn uncomfortable.

This is very good news indeed, and if i am in same boat will be back and training in no time.

Docs above is damn busy and can only help next year - I got an appointment for this year at least, so I will know later the week what is going to happen

So got MRI scan with specialist, and can clearly see swelling as well as the torn cartridge, only booked operation for next year though - as they busy and on holiday.

Can not train legs at all - this is big problem and after opp another 4- 6 weeks off

Eish..! Bro

I feel your pain. I start my PCT on Monday and had a great cycle. But now because of cluster head aches from going to heavy and heat the Doc told me not to train for at least a month.
I could cry "

Good luck

crawler wrote: So got MRI scan with specialist, and can clearly see swelling as well as the torn cartridge, only booked operation for next year though - as they busy and on holiday.

Can not train legs at all - this is big problem and after opp another 4- 6 weeks off

Good for you to get the scan, now you know what the problem is.
Good luck, hope that time flies and they can fix you quickly.

Thanks guys, yea will enjoy the 'holiday season' and then early in new year get it sorted, recover, and hit gym hard again

till then upper body and cycling(the bicycle kind)

Opp was successful and busy with some physio exercises :silly:

Can't wait to start training legs again, at this moment cycling is my forte for a while :whistle:

any advise from anyone that has done this or some tips you heard of?