I'm in on this late. When I was 40 I blew my knee bad.
That was 18 years ago. I had Kaiser and they did nothing about it, as it
wasn't their knee and they didn't have to move on it. I had outside
insurance and started calling around to every orthopedic surgeon and ask a
simple question to the Doctor. I ask them who they would go too if they
blew their knee out , because they couldn't operate on themselves. They
said "What?" I said if your name comes up I'll call you back.
A Doctor, I'll simply call Doc K in Castro Valley kept coming
up. Found out later he was the team surgeon for the Warriors and did work
for the U.S. ski team. I called, he ask me to come in that day. Shot
some dye into it and then showed me what was wrong and set up surgery for that
Friday. Scoped it that Friday walked out of the hospital. Had a cast
put on it that Monday to lock every thing down, six weeks later it came off,
went through PS for about 6 weeks. After about 4 months of pain and
getting nowhere with Kaiser, this Doc had me fixed in a week.
I had to be at least as good as I was before, They released me with
it at 125%, 80% being the normal for release. Everybody said I was
finished in sports, as if you blow your knee, you're done. I
started back into Soccer, then went into Roller Hockey at the ripe age
of 46 and a year later started Ice Hockey. A few Championships and the
knee has never bothered me, even on my horse. Get another opinion and get
it fixed. If you blew it or tore it, it's going to need
surgery. G.Affleck
Just
my .02: Surgery has come a LONG way in recent years, especially
acl/mcl/meniscus and hip and knee replacements with better techniques,
recovery is usually quicker with no long lasting side affects. That
said, however, surgery is surgery. There are always risks and surgery
for one person doesn't always warrant the same results for another person with
the same surgeon. Get second/third opinions. Decide yourself what is
right for you at that time. If you opt for surgery, go into surgery as strong
as you can (strengthening the quadriceps/hamstrings as recommended, either
through aerobic, weight and/or balance exercises). It will definitely
make a positive difference in your recovery. Good
luck!
