baj32161

Hey Pcad...sorry if I don't have the wherwwithall to read all of the replies in here...BUT.....should you have the surgery I hope all goes well. I am recovering from recent foot surgery and in a cast. I would not wish this on anyone who loves riding as much as you do.

Cheers,

brian

Hocam

That's a first for me.

Ok maybe a second.

patentcad

Correct.

BillyD

I didn't find DocRay to be particularly loathsome. Sometimes his views were a tad "outside the box", to put it mildly, but that doesn't make him a bad person. Heck, there's a lot of "outside the box" around here.

On the positive side, he helped keep the place lively, and goodness knows this place needs lively like on a regular.

patentcad

That's like saying the stock market's a little down this week.

chzman

HA! I'm glad I have 40 years before retirement.

patentcad

Me too, and I'm 50. Perhaps you will handle your personal finances more adroitly than I.

lopsided

I lost my lateral meniscus around 30 years ago. Time and running eroded the articular cartilage of the lateral compartment until it was bone on bone. During the sixth scope, the surgeon performed a "pick" chondroplasty where the bone was "picked" through to allow the formation of fibrocartilage, not as good as articular cartilage but better than nothing (bone on bone). Was supposed to be non weight bearing for six weeks but settled for three. Have had good results going on 14 months now. I am a candidate for unicompartmental knee replacement but refuse to to so for at least 10 years (I'm 49 now) or at which point they can guarantee said parts for more than 6 to 8 years. Don't know how advanced yours is but I have always let pain and alteration of activities of daily living determine when it's time to have surgery again. Best of luck to you in whatever you choose to do.

patentcad

Wow. Six scopes. I don't think my knee is nearly that bad. We'll find out soon enough. I haven't been able to run on my knee for 18 years, when I try it blows up like a basketball. But it has tolerated lots of hammering until quite recently. It's still very changeable - I didn't ride today, it may well feel fine (probably will) in the AM. But it has been much worse lately. I get the feeling that with a clean up scope I may not have problems for a decade or more.

lopsided

I gave up running about 12 years ago and went to cycling and roller blading. The key is to limit the amount of impact the knee suffers. The meniscus are the knees shock absorbers and when they're gone, it's all down hill from there. Ice is very much a part of my life when I overdo it and the knee swells up.

patentcad

I hear that, but cycling is very low impact. When your knee doesn't tolerate riding a bike (no matter how hard) things are going downhill. Again, I haven't seen a doctor about this yet at all. For all I know a couple of cortisone or other injections annually and I can put off any surgery for a couple of years. I'll ride 50 miles tomorrow, all little ring, and see how it feels afterwards.

lopsided

Good luck to you. I don't wish knee problems on anyone. I do know that injections are a very short term solution and not at all effective against mechanical (torn meniscus, cartilage or ligamentous etc.) type problems. Picking an orthopedic surgeon is like picking a spouse, choose very carefully, it can make the difference in a lifetime of happiness or a lifetime of misery.

patentcad

Trust me, my knee surgeon is the best. Of that I'm certain.

lopsided

Then half of the battle is over. The rest is up to you.

Hocam

The other half is guns and lazers.

Joe HO!

big john

Haven't you tried to screw a cleat on there, yet?

patentcad

Recovery from a knee scope is relatively easy and painless compared to many other procedures. But it will throw my early season racing plans a bit of a curveball. Oh well.

big john

A friend of mine says he'd rather have a Knee scoped than go to the dentist. I think he's only had 3.

ericcox

You shouldn't be giving anyone around here any ideas like this.

damocles1

I've had 3 on the right knee, 2 on the left knee, 2 on the right ankle and 1 one the left shoulder. Getting scoped is no big deal. Hell, I watched one of the knee procedures. Kinda cool...
Former Philadelphia Eagles team doc did my last knee and ankle surgeries.

Bob Dopolina 

Pcaddy,

Get the shot now so your training doesn't get interrupted and then choose the time that is best for you for surgery. Stuff works great.

Glucosamine (sp.) really helped me after a knee injury playing ball. Years later it helped me with similar issues on the bike. It's too late to help with your present condition but it is something you should look into post-op. It will help you recover and extend the time your knee can take the additional stress of competitive cycling.

Good luck and avoid the Doritos.

patentcad

I am leaning towards that, I will discuss all options with my surgeon Monday. Glucosamine helped me with this knee for months, but it has gotten to the point where it's just F'd. Rode 50 miles, fast tempo today, some big ring, but nothing too crazy. Iced it afterwards, and it's not too bad. But it's not like it used to be. I think your game plan is the way to go, kind of depends if my doctor thinks hammering on it for another year will cause damage or if I'm better off in the long run having a scope sooner.

In the big scheme of medical issues, this is a laugher. It ain't lung cancer dude. On the other hand this will be my third knee operation, my fifth overall sports injury related surgery. I'm like an NFL player without the salary.