Hi Kim,

That is a tough decision! I facing the decision of whether to have a
third ACL reconstruction, a medial meniscus transplant and a micro-
fracture articular cartilage surgery. Honestly, the thought of this
surgery freaks me out!

I don't for one minute regret getting the ACL done, but I have been
pretty miserable without my menicus, but I only have about 10% left.
However, I do know from years of therapy that to some extent really
good therapy and strengthening can help a tremendous amount. For
example, having really strong quads can reduce the risk of
osteoarthritis under the patella by keeping the kneecap in a neutral
position and having strong hamstrings can help offset the instability
of a torn ACL, etc.

I would suggest that if you do decide to have surgery, make it clear
to your ortho that you want the tear STITCHED and not SHAVED if at
all possible. In some cases that can be done. I think that a lot more
orthos are recognizing that just going in and taking away parts of
the knee causes all kinds of problems down the road. Ultimately, it
will probably depend on how bad the tear is and where the tear is e.g
posterior, etc.(believe it or not, that can make a difference.

I walked around for years on a torn ACL and did fine, with the
occasional knee collaspe, but there wasn't much pain. With the
meniscus gone, in my case, there is constant pain and I pretty much
walk with a significant limp now. However, everyone's body reacts
differently to surgeries, physical therapy and lifestyle changes.
Hang in there.

Good luck and I hope this helps!

Erena
Minneapolis



--- In kneesurgeryforum@yahoogroups.com, K Salisbury
<tractionpads@...> wrote:
>
> Hi again,
>
> This is really getting interesting. I was wondering whether or not
to get the arthroscopy that the ortho recommended. I got a second
opinion, but still didn't give me confidence in having the
operation. So far, I have canvassed several friends who do intensive
physical activity and have heard several whose knee problems have
healed by themselves without surgery, 1 (dancer married to an MD who
said her husband pretty well pressured her into the operation) who
had trouble for a year after the surgery, 1 (doctor whose own knee
goes out) who said that surgery is a 50-50 chance of making it better
or making it worse, and now the kneesurgeryforum where we hear lots
of negatives.
>
> So far, I haven't found one person who says they got an arthroscopy
or other surgery with a "boy did that help me" result.
>
> My question is, is anyone in this group clearly better off after
surgery? Which surgery? Please give details.
>
> Specifically, is anyone here better off after arthroscopy for
meniscal tear?
>
> Thanks, guys!
>
> Kim Salisbury
> La Mirada, Calif.
>
> Get your Car or Truck...UN-STUCK!
> with Lions Grip Traction Pads (tm)
> www.lionsgrip.com
>