Bilateral Meniscus Tears: Four Months without Improvement
Greetings, Doctor, I hope this message finds you well. My name is Xojiakbar, and I am 16 years old. Please forgive any errors in my English as it is not my first language. Currently, I am experiencing significant swelling in both knees, making it painful to apply pressure. Activities like running and jumping have become nearly impossible. My MRI results indicate a tear in the posterior horn of the medial meniscus in my right knee, while my left knee shows a meniscus tear along with a Baker's cyst. For the past four months, I have been receiving treatment, including hospital stays and various conservative measures. Unfortunately, these interventions have only provided temporary relief. I would greatly appreciate any advice you could share on what steps I should take next. Thank you for your assistance.
Answers (1)
6/27/2025, 7:40:40 PM
OpenHealth AI
I understand that dealing with bilateral meniscus tears and the associated swelling and pain can be incredibly challenging, especially as a young athlete like yourself. It’s important to address your symptoms and seek ways to improve your mobility and quality of life.
Key Points:
- You have persistent swelling and pain in both knees due to meniscus tears and a Baker's cyst.
- Previous conservative treatments have not provided lasting relief.
Explanation:
Meniscus tears can result in pain, swelling, and restricted movement. A Baker's cyst, which often accompanies these tears, can further complicate recovery and cause discomfort. Given that you've tried various treatments without significant improvement, it is understandable to seek additional options.
Next Steps:
-
Consult a Specialist:
- If you haven't already, consider consulting an orthopedic specialist who focuses on sports medicine. They can provide a more detailed assessment of your knees and may suggest advanced treatments or interventions.
-
Explore Physical Therapy:
- Engage in physical therapy if you haven’t already done so. A physical therapist can design a customized rehabilitation program to strengthen the muscles around your knees, improve flexibility, and reduce pain.
-
Manage Swelling:
- Continue to apply ice to your knees for 15-20 minutes several times a day to help reduce swelling. Elevating your legs can also aid in minimizing inflammation.
- Compression wraps can provide support and help control swelling temporarily.
-
Activity Modification:
- While it's frustrating to limit activities you enjoy, avoid high-impact sports like running and jumping until your symptoms improve. Instead, consider low-impact activities such as swimming or cycling that do not strain your knees.
-
Pain Management:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers (like ibuprofen or acetaminophen) can help manage pain and inflammation. Ensure to follow dosing guidelines and check with a healthcare provider if you have any health concerns or medications you're currently taking.
-
Monitor Symptoms:
- Keep a daily diary of your pain levels, swelling, and any activities that worsen or improve your symptoms. This information can be very helpful for your healthcare provider in evaluating your condition and treatment plan.
Final Note:
With persistent challenges like you’re experiencing, it’s crucial to stay proactive and engaged in your care. Remember, advancements and personalized treatments are available, and you're not alone in this journey. Keep communicating openly with your healthcare team about any concerns you have, and take small steps toward recovery each day.
Related Questions
24M | Unexplained Fainting Incident
**Note:** I previously shared this story, but it was inexplicably removed. I’m a 24-year-old male without any medical diagnosis or prescription medications. While I do consume alcohol occasionally, I hadn’t been drinking before this happened. Around 3 a.m., I got up from bed to use the restroom. As soon as I began to urinate, I suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. The next moment I was aware of was regaining consciousness in the bathtub, startled awake by the sensation of something dripping on me—only to discover it was my own blood. This was my first experience with fainting. When I came to, confusion set in. I was disoriented and couldn’t comprehend why I was being dripped on while in what I thought was my “bed.” Strangely, I also imagined that I was lying on a collection of marbles (which I actually don’t own)—this turned out to be the shattered glass of my shower door lying around me. I’m uncertain whether I lost consciousness first and then fell, or if the fall caused my brief blackout. It took me a few moments to understand why I was in the bathroom at all. I’m not sure how long I was out; I only remember it was around 3 in the morning when I initially got up, and about the same time when I regained consciousness. I dialed 911, and the ambulance arrived promptly. They checked my vitals, performed an EKG and measured my blood sugar, finding nothing unusual. At the emergency room, they repeated the vital checks, conducted a CT scan, drew blood, and took x-rays—yet still no abnormalities were detected. I had several cuts on my face and left arm (curiously, this is the arm that would have been turned away from the door), along with bruising around my ribs. Since the incident, I’ve been suffering from headaches and pain in my ribs. I received stitches on both my face and arm. The nurse suggested I could have stronger pain relief, but I opted for just Toradol. They eventually discharged me, stating, "We’re unsure what caused this, but return if it happens again." What might have triggered such an incident? How can I safeguard against it reoccurring if they remain uncertain about the cause?
Swelling Beneath My Chin Near the Jawline
18-Year-Old Male: I'm reaching out to any medical professionals who might provide insights into my situation. I've been using marijuana since I was 14, but now, at 17, I'm making an effort to stop and have been clean for 18 days. Recently, I've discovered an unusual swelling located just beneath my chin, behind my jaw. It causes some discomfort when I move, yet it doesn’t feel painful continuously. I'm somewhat anxious that this could be indicative of a more serious issue, especially considering it's positioned near my chin's lymph nodes. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated as it might help alleviate my worry.
Challenges with Appetite and Discomfort While Eating — Difficulty in Gaining Weight
As an 18-year-old male, I find that I become satisfied after consuming rather minimal amounts of food. This situation presents a considerable challenge, particularly since I only need to have a standard breakfast, lunch, or dinner to feel completely satiated for the remainder of the day. My goal of increasing my weight has made this issue even more complicated. When I limit myself to one meal per day, I often face weight loss or an uncomfortable sensation of fullness that leaves me feeling sluggish. Opting for two meals makes me feel excessively bloated, distracting me from my daily responsibilities. Moreover, I suffer from an unusual issue with my throat, where almost any food I consume causes discomfort, as detailed in the list below. I have contemplated focusing on having just lunch while continuing my weightlifting regimen to maintain my current weight and gradually build muscle. What advice could you offer? Could there be an underlying cause for these symptoms? Lastly, would it be wise for me to consult a healthcare professional? Foods That Cause Discomfort: Bread, flour, pizza, fruits, sugary or starchy items, seed oils, chips, and essentially everything else. Foods That Are Tolerable: Rice, salads, chicken, fish, and vegetables. Overall Symptoms Include: * Quick satiety after normal meals * Challenges in gaining weight * Bloated and lethargic sensations when consuming more than one meal * Persistent throat sensitivity to a wide variety of foods
Should I Seek Medical Attention for Left Ear Pulsatile Tinnitus?
A 31-year-old woman reports an ongoing issue with pulsatile tinnitus, which she is currently experiencing solely in her left ear. Although she's noticed this condition intermittently before, she hadn’t paid it much mind due to the absence of pain. Recently, however, her curiosity piqued her interest in researching the condition, where she stumbled upon information suggesting it could be serious. Usually, she avoids searching online for health worries, but now she is contemplating whether a visit to the doctor might be warranted. Can anyone advise on the need for a medical evaluation in this case?
Concerns About Angular Cheilitis
I’m a 23-year-old woman with no history of smoking, and I’m seeking assistance regarding a health issue. Back in January, I experienced angular cheilitis three times, each episode involving a minor crack at the corner of my mouth that healed within a few days. Following the last occurrence, I became quite anxious due to saliva accumulation in that area. I found myself frequently brushing my finger along that spot. After a few days, I observed a small area forming that appeared white and had a rough texture. Eventually, I realized it was not just a coincidence, and I started taking action, but only after it became noticeably larger. To address it, I cleaned the area with a mix of alcohol and apple cider vinegar. I’m uncertain about what this issue could be, but I’ve recently begun using over-the-counter Clotrimazole cream while also keeping the area moisturized with either lanolin or petroleum jelly. Unfortunately, I haven’t noticed any improvement, and I’m concerned as it seems to be expanding. The patch continues to be rough and excessively dry. Although I can open my mouth wide without any cracks forming, I do feel tension in the skin, similar to having a bandage over that location. At times, I experience a burning sensation after thorough washing, and I’ve noticed tiny red spots appearing on the outer edges of the patch sporadically.