So my MRI after a bad water ski spill in May of 2007 showed the following on the report
Findiings:
There are some intrasubstance signal changes in both posterior meniscal horns, but I do not see definite evidence for a meniscal tear either laterally or medially. The anterior cruciate ligament show some edema consistent with a sprain. The posterior cruciate ligament is intact. The quadriceps and patellar tendons are unremearkable.
There is edema within and about the medial collateral ligament consistent with a sprain. The lateral collateral ligament is intact. A bone contusion is seen toward the medial aspect of the lateral tibial plateau. No additional bone consusions and no findings of a fracture. A moderate joint effusion is present. No popliteal cyst is seen.
There are sprains of the anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament
No definite meniscal tear
Bone contusion in the lateral tibial palteau, toward it’s medial portion
Moderate bone effusion
I still get this dull, achy pain deep inside my knee in the general area of the tibial plateau. Any ideas on the how or why I could still be having this kind of pain? No surgery on this knee, but rehab, lots of icing and anti inflammatory meds…July makes 3 years.
I am no doc, but I am 10 years out from a reconstruction on my right knee and I still have some lingering pain here and there. Like my doctor told me, it will never be %100 again, maybe 98 or 99, but not 100. Scar tissue build up around your ACL and MCL due to the sprains could be a cause.
So my MRI after a bad water ski spill in May of 2007 showed the following on the report
Findiings:
There are some intrasubstance signal changes in both posterior meniscal horns, but I do not see definite evidence for a meniscal tear either laterally or medially. The anterior cruciate ligament show some edema consistent with a sprain. The posterior cruciate ligament is intact. The quadriceps and patellar tendons are unremearkable.
There is edema within and about the medial collateral ligament consistent with a sprain. The lateral collateral ligament is intact. A bone contusion is seen toward the medial aspect of the lateral tibial plateau. No additional bone consusions and no findings of a fracture. A moderate joint effusion is present. No popliteal cyst is seen.
There are sprains of the anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament
No definite meniscal tear
Bone contusion in the lateral tibial palteau, toward it’s medial portion
Moderate bone effusion
I still get this dull, achy pain deep inside my knee in the general area of the tibial plateau. Any ideas on the how or why I could still be having this kind of pain? No surgery on this knee, but rehab, lots of icing and anti inflammatory meds…July makes 3 years.
Did you hurt it again recently? Do you play hoops or soccer or anything like that? Weird…3 years?
A dull achy deep pain that has persisted for 3 years without explanation sounds like a very mild case of reflex sympathetic dystrophy to me. Ask for a referral to an anesthesiologist who treats chronic pain.
It’s interesting that I have no range of motion issues, but just this dull achy pain. I can deal with it, but in the back of my mind I keep thinking ‘am I doing further damage to something unknown’. Just a bit frustrating. The doc did say I had quite the contusion on the bone, but 3 years? I wanted to avoid surgery b/c when I had my other knee scoped it created more scar tissue than I had with the injury and quite honestly the net result was no better after the bucket handle tear was nipped. So, I wasn’t in any rush to let someone ‘take a look’ just because. Damn.
It’s interesting that I have no range of motion issues, but just this dull achy pain. I can deal with it, but in the back of my mind I keep thinking ‘am I doing further damage to something unknown’. Just a bit frustrating. The doc did say I had quite the contusion on the bone, but 3 years? I wanted to avoid surgery b/c when I had my other knee scoped it created more scar tissue than I had with the injury and quite honestly the net result was no better after the bucket handle tear was nipped. So, I wasn’t in any rush to let someone ‘take a look’ just because. Damn.
RSD is truly a strange “disease” and poorly understood by essentially everyone. It appears the normal feedback of the nervous system gets messed up and it can be manifested in lots of different ways. There can be disruption of the normal blood flow which may be what you are seeing on the MRI. While it is not clear that doing nothing results in any more damage than your continuing to have discomfort it bothers me that you are seeing changes on the MRI so I would think ignoring it is not a good idea.
Anyhow, when I was practicing as a chronic pain specialist I saw quite a bit of this, and most of it had been misdiagnosed. Lucky, when I heard someone with a similar story it was pretty straight forward most of the time. I would guess about 80% of those who had a similar story that I saw would be “cured” after just one or two sympathetic blocks to the leg. Doing a sympathetic block is both diagnostic and therapeutic. If I am right you can be glad you have a very mild case as this disorder can be devastating and you can be glad because it is probably easily treatable, in your case.
OK. Back ground first. I’m a Sports Medicine Knee surgeon with over 25 years experience. Master instructor at AANA, AAOS and two university associations.
The MRI findings are only a very small part of the diagnostic work-up. The history, physical examination and X-rays are all more important. Many physicians put a disproportionate emphasis on the MRI results and therefore fail to make an accurate diagnosis.
From what you have said so far, I have suspicions of what might be causing your discomfort but would not commit to a diagnosis without a proper history and examination. I would suggest to seek a second opinion from a Sports Medicine Knee specialist in your area. You usually can’t go wrong with a surgeon who is a member of AANA or AOSSM.
And thanks Frank I appreciate it. I’m going to see a guy about my shoulder soon have an appt. with a really top notch knee guy at the end of June. I’m sure someone in this group of guys who is looking at my shoulder would be just as able to look at my knee as well.
And thanks Frank I appreciate it. I’m going to see a guy about my shoulder soon have an appt. with a really top notch knee guy at the end of June. I’m sure someone in this group of guys who is looking at my shoulder would be just as able to look at my knee as well.
Unfortunately, you won’t know what was really going on until you find someone who can correct it. Deak and I have given you some further alternatives to try.