Possible meniscus tear

[lexcat]

Been on going started with pain late summer that seem to get better only to suddenly get worse. Saw the physio in November who thought it was most likely the meniscus giving me trouble. As they are slow the heal to give it 4-5 months.
Things got much better and knee was geting back to normal. Was so pleased when I managed a 5 mile walk with only small amount of pain (even 1/2 mile had been so painful).
Then it started to get pains again and felt like might lock or give way. Then last tuesday climbing over a large step felt the knee give way. Some pain afterwards but was getting better till last night the knee sudden gave way. Couldn't move for a fwe seconds then sudden shooting pain when I tried to move the knee. Couldn' t sleep because shooting pain evertime I moved the knee. Saw Doctor this morning (had to be driven because can't drive without pain) given strong pain killers and referred back to physio plus been booked in for X-ray.
Almost a month before I see the physio, off work today but can't be for long. Any help or advice greatful.

[JemFinch]

Locking and giving way are classic signs of cartilage damage. IME physio won't do anything to help - did they give you a time frame for the x ray? I have had meniscus tears on both knees treated very successfully with surgery, always had a scan to diagnose though, I'm not sure you would see it on an xray as it's cartilage?

[lexcat]

Dr said x-ray probably won't show anything, think it's more to rule out other things. Have no idea how long to x-ray been refered to th local hospital so they will get hold of me soon. Phyiso did say she couldn't anything if it was the meniscus when saw her in November.

[foreverdepressed]

Not sure how much use an X-ray will be for a meniscus tear; I wouldn't have thought it would show enough detail in the soft tissue? My GP said it was standard to MRI.

Chances are if it hasn't healed after all this time then it doesn't going to heal on its own. Meniscus generally has poor blood supply so can't heal well anyway.

Not a doctor but I would have thought referral to surgery might be your end result.

[foreverdepressed]

I didn't see your second post at 14:11 before my reply.

If the physio has said she can do nothing for meniscus damage then you are wasting your time going back.

I can only go by my experience which was I had some pain and swelling for a couple of months and I was referred straight for an MRI then surgery when the result confirmed the tear. I was still walking reasonable distances at the time.

Your symptoms sound much more severe (giving way, unable to walk, etc). Yet it seems they are fannying around with x-rays and pointless physio referrals. I wouldn't be too happy.

Can you get a second opinion from a different GP in the practice.

[lexcat]

Think because the physio works out of the same practice and this the first time I've seen the doctor their is alittle bit of not treading on the others toes. I woulds have gone straight to the phyiso if it was not for the fact I know she normally has a three week plus waiting time.
Infact dealt with the physio lots before and think she will refer me in the right direction pretty quickly if that the better course of action.
How long do things take to get to surgery time?

[JemFinch]

I have private healthcare so I don't know I'm afraid.