You're 42 years old and enjoy snow skiing, tennis, hiking. You know you're getting older but these things help you feel younger, alive.
Then one day, you twist your knee while playing tennis. It swells, is stiff and sore. You notice some clicking and popping and a catching sensation. A couple of times you even thought your knee was going to give out. You know something's wrong but there's another voice in your head saying, "Hey, don't worry. It'll be fine."
But, it's not. You can't run or work out at the gym and sometimes walking is even tough to do. You missed your annual ski trip with your buddies. Finally, you go to your family doctor. He examines your knee and sends you to an orthopedic surgeon. The surgeon tells you that you have a torn meniscus and you'll need surgery. But, just to be sure he sends you to see a physical therapist first.
You spend a few weeks in therapy with a gadget strapped to your leg that delivers electical shocks to your muscles, lift your leg up and down, try riding a bike, do some squats against the wall with a big rubber ball; wrap an ice pack around your knee. Some days your leg feels a lot worse after therapy; other days it's not so bad. But, you still can't do much and you're starting to gain some weight. Maybe the doctor was right. Maybe surgery is the answer.
Sports Center has re-written this old, common story replacing it with something fresh and inspiring.
The new story goes like this. After you hurt your knee, you visit your family doctor who recognizes that you need specialized help. He sends you to see a physical therapist who understands how the knee works in relation to other parts of the body, how injured tissues heal and how to restore your health and function. The therapist designs a comprehensive solution customized to your unique set of problems and circumstances. You learn how your knee works, what a meniscus is, what it does, how it heals; specific instructions guiding your through things to avoid and for how long. You know your capabilities and have a plan with an accurate timeline predicting when you will be able to return to the gym, hiking, tennis and even running. Your knee begins to feel better, stronger and even though you're tempted to work in a quick jog, you don't because you understand; not because you're just following instructions. You eventually return to the gym, snow skiing and tennis. And, although it took longer than you wanted, was more demanding than you expected, it was worth every minute, every drop of sweat and every penny out of your pocket. In fact, you enjoyed it so much, you didn't want to leave.
Sports Center has a new story for an old problem. A torn meniscus can heal. Yes, sometimes you need surgery but both from our experience as well as recent scientific research, a non-surgical approach can work and certainly should be your first line of defense. But, the approach must be strategically crafted, the plan precisely executed and include tools that create an optimal healing environment. Anything else is a crap shoot.
If you're a clinican reading this and would like to learn how we create such a story, we have something coming soon that you will not want to miss. Watch our website and read The View for details.
If you have a torn meniscus or know someone who does, we would be happy to meet with you and give you our opinion. But, be prepared to work with us in Sports Center if we accept your case. We execute our plan under our rules. No distance relationships until you meet certain criteria. It's just how it works.
So, now you know there are options for a torn meniscus beyond surgery.
What will you do?
Doug Kelsey
