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MRI of the knee need translation help

post #1 of 13
6/8/10 at 6:34pm
Thread Starter 
My dh had an MRI of his left knee and we got the report today. He talked to the Dr. about it so knows basically what is going on but I wanted to ask here and see if anyone else can shed more light on things.

Here is the report:
Diffuse chondromalacia, most prominent medial compartment. Small blunted posterior horn of the meniscus with intrasubstance degenerative signal of the medial meniscus. Mild degenerative signal lateral meniscus. Mild knee effusion. Some mild edema in the medial tibial plateau and femoral condyle.

Impression: Degenerative changes most prominent medial compartment. Blunted, irregular, posterior horn of the medial meniscus. Mild knee effusion.

 I am googling away right now but any thoughts would be appreciated especially if you or someone you know has dealt with it.
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post #2 of 13
6/8/10 at 8:41pm
Sounds like there's some fluid in the joint, wear on both inner and outer sides of the meniscus, and the possibility of a smallish tear on the inner side. Did they say they were going to scope it?
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post #3 of 13
6/8/10 at 9:40pm
Thread Starter 
No the only plans as of right now is anti inflammatory meds and swimming or cycling for exercise with as much rest as possible.

I think he needs to go so an orthopedist but he wants to wait due to money issues.
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post #4 of 13
6/8/10 at 9:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MCatLvrMom2A&X View Post
No the only plans as of right now is anti inflammatory meds and swimming or cycling for exercise with as much rest as possible.

I think he needs to go so an orthopedist but he wants to wait due to money issues.
Yah, I know the feeling. You might want to ask the doctor if there's actually a possibility of a meniscal tear, in which case that knee should be babied going forward. (Don't do "the Twist"!) According to my orthopod, small tears can sometimes be surgically repaired, but they're an invitation to further injury.
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post #5 of 13
6/8/10 at 10:02pm
Thread Starter 
He has to be very careful since it hurts badly if he moves wrong. He actually missed almost 2 weeks of work because of it the end of last month with the first week being unable to walk without a cane.

It sucks that he has to be on his feet moving 11 hours a day The only good thing is the floor is flat so he isnt climbing around or anything other than walking on the flat surface.

Thank you for the help
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post #6 of 13
6/14/10 at 12:42pm
How is he doing now?

I remember when I dislocated my kneecap. The Ortho doc just drained it. Two years later I went to a different Orthopedic Surgeon. After trying PT I ended up with knee surgery. My kneecap kept popping out of place causing me to fall.
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post #7 of 13
6/14/10 at 3:11pm
Thread Starter 
He is still in pain but not nearly as much as before. Some things bother him worse than others but he is being very careful about how he walks.

I talked him into seeing an ortho and he goes this Wed. So I should have more info. soon.
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post #8 of 13
7/16/10 at 10:53pm
Thread Starter 
Sorry I forgot to update. Life has been hectic to say the least around here.

Dh did indeed have a tear of the meniscus and had surgery to remove the piece on the 24th. He went back to work 10 days later but still has a lot of soreness and it swells by the end of the day. He has a horrific bruise on his upper thigh from the clamps they used to hold his leg that scared him when it came up. But other than that I think he is on the mend.
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post #9 of 13
7/17/10 at 2:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MCatLvrMom2A&X View Post
Dh did indeed have a tear of the meniscus and had surgery to remove the piece on the 24th. He went back to work 10 days later but still has a lot of soreness and it swells by the end of the day.
Is he seeing a physical therapist? It's important to rebuild strength, but that's also a good conduit to get the orthopod's attention, and edema at three weeks' remove sounds like something of a concern.

[ETA.--He got one of those little coolers with an aquarium pump to "ice" the joint, right?]
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post #10 of 13
7/17/10 at 5:10am
Thread Starter 
He just went back yesterday to see the ortho who did the surgery and he said he was doing really well. He did give him a stronger anti inflammatory though.

Dh is on his feet 10-12 hours a day right now on a concrete floor he is a welder and it is extremely hot here.

He isnt seeing a physical therapist but has been going swimming daily and doing the stretching the Dr. told him to.

They gave him a fancy ice pack with velcro to use.
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post #11 of 13
7/17/10 at 11:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by KatWrangler View Post
How is he doing now?

I remember when I dislocated my kneecap. The Ortho doc just drained it. Two years later I went to a different Orthopedic Surgeon. After trying PT I ended up with knee surgery. My kneecap kept popping out of place causing me to fall.
I am dealing with this now...what type of surgery did you have and did it work?
I dislocated my knees as a teen and it was very traumatic. For the last 20 years it's just been doing the popping out and making me fall thing but last week it fully dislocated again. I haven't met anyone else IRL with the problem.
No body is recommending surgery to me yet...I just got an MRI yesterday.
Sorry for the t/j!
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post #12 of 13
7/17/10 at 12:59pm
The "chondromalacia with medial component" indicates that the kneecap is not aligned properly and is being pulled toward the inside of the leg. I have lateral chondromalacia (commonly known as "runner's knee") and my knee cap is pulled toward the outside of my leg. As long as I don't run, I have no pain or problems. It sounds like with your dh, the chondromalacia may have caused damage to the surrounding tissues.
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post #13 of 13
7/17/10 at 3:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by azgirl View Post
I am dealing with this now...what type of surgery did you have and did it work?
I dislocated my knees as a teen and it was very traumatic. For the last 20 years it's just been doing the popping out and making me fall thing but last week it fully dislocated again. I haven't met anyone else IRL with the problem.
No body is recommending surgery to me yet...I just got an MRI yesterday.
Sorry for the t/j!
I had a Lateral Release. For the most part, yes it has worked. Since I had the surgery my knee cap has not popped out of place. There have been a few times it was close. But never fully out. Which is good!

Now I did have alot of scar tissue under the kneecap. I also have a bit of arthritis in this knee. But that is to be expected with any joint injury and or surgery.

Here is some info on the surgery.

http://www.knee1.com/EducationCenter...Details.cfm/12

I had this surgery over 22 years ago.
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