*** INJURIES AND MEDICAL PROBLEMS ***

[Young_Spike]

Ive had a problem with my knee and when I run the nxt day it swells up and i cant walk on it ive been to the doctors and F****** devastated.
:cry: :cry: :cry:
doctor says i have to wait until sept/oct to have an appointment with an
orthopaedic guy who will then (after a long wait) do something about it
(hopefully) the old B****** didnt even seem ars*d. the joys of the NHS.

its getting a bit lyk the military - hurry up and wait!

so now i cant run until ive had it sorted which will be months then months
of rehabilitation after that. the MOD form says il be
''permanently unsuitable'' but f**k that all I want is in and i dnt plan to
miss it for anything.

hopefully il be on next years induction or hell maybe the regs when I
finish college!!

soooo devastated i think im going to go and cry... 8O
well maybe not that devastated.

anyone else had anything like this happen to them?

YS

 

[angrydoc]

You will need either an MRI scan of your knee or possibly an arthroscopy, where a small camera is introduced into the knee joint. Your fitness or otherwise for naval/military service will depend on what these investigations show. Could be any number of things. Two months wait for this in the NHS isn't bad at all!

Bear in mind, though, that if you do need an operation then there will also need to be a period of rehabilitation - building up the leg muscles again etc - which may take 6-9 months with physiotherapy. It has been done, though, but it very much depends on the diagnosis.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news!

 

[Young_Spike]

time doesnt matter i can go in later as long as i will be able to run on it? wat u recon doc?

YS

 

[angrydoc]

We need to wait for the MRI / scope. Advantages and disadvantages of both. An MRI scan can be pretty precise, but can miss some things. On the other hand, it doesn't involve cutting and doesn't even involve radiation - the scanner is basically a big electromagnet.

Arthroscopy involves a day-case admission to hospital, general anaesthetic (ie knocked out), a small cut (4-5mm) on each side of the knee and a camera into it. If there's a bit of cartilage torn, that can be repaired at the time. If there's a ligament problem, you'll probably be brought back for repair at a later stage after the whole thing's been explained to you.

If your surgeon requests an MRI scan, then you may need an arthroscopy +/- ligament repair later.

Those are the two common problems with sporty knees, but there are others. On the other hand, you may have a problem which is transient - ie it sorts itself out.

However I'd need to check BR 1750A (Naval Medical Standards) to see what the entry criteria are for post-op knee patients. Life in the Armed Forces is pretty tough on knees!

 

[Young_Spike]

i know for a fact its not ligaments, the doc sed my knee is forward which is a better sign and theres fluid behind and above it. he says it isnt grinding so may not be cartiledge.

i have the application form accompanying documents here...

on medical it says...

Unsuitable Conditions:

menisectomy (knee cartilage operation) within last year - i can wait a year :roll:
surgical repair of a ligament at all - yikes! hope not
chronic joint disorders, arthritus, gout, ankylosing spondylitis - hope not

i definitely need something done so hopefully its a year-wait kinda thing.

YS

 

[angrydoc]

Could still be a number of things. Wait for the consultant opinion and take it from there. The waiting game is a bastard but, unless you're in BUPA, there's not much choice! Any probs, drop me an email and I'll look it up.

d

 

[andym]

Sounds to me as you may have a form of Arthritis brought on by excrsise.When i say Arthritis i mean inflammation of the Joint.This inturn sets off the inflammatory response of which one is increased fluid to the affected area.It may have an underlying injury element to it as well,or you just plain over using the joint.(As a piece of design the knee joint is terrible,only to be surpassed by the elbow.)You may have some degree of retro patellar roughening which may acount for some of your problem.Has the knee ever locked up when bent?I would suggest you either limit your excercise or go to the swimming pool and get some low impact excercises there to keep muscle tone with out stressing the joint.

 

[Floppyjocky]

Young-spike - whatever happens it is important that you remain positive in your own mind. If you can't run at the moment then swim or concentrate on upper body work. I have had an arthroscopy, it was bad news for me but for the other 6 guys in my ward at the time (who had a similiar op) it was good news, they could all be repaired and on their way so wait and see.

Good luck mate

 

[Young_Spike]

i just hope to god that its not ligament i can wait years as long as i can still go in.
looks like have to focus on the time now and not ahead, maybe as seen as i would have no time to work whist at college and in RMR phase 1 i may aswel get myself that car i thought i couldnt afford.
the swelling and pain has gone down so tommorow night im gonna go to the parade night do the PT and tell em whats happening then il just have to wait for the next appointment. once again hurry up and wait.

not to worry. cheers for the advice lads.
if anyone else has had similar, post a reply.

YS

 

[andym]

If you do excersise i suggest you strap it up.There are some diagnostic tests you can do for a ruptured cartlidge,such as the MacMurray Manoeuver.If you know of any Doctors should be able to do it for you.As for ligament then also there are some tests they do.It basically involves the Dr trying to move the bent knee forwards and backwards over the Tib and fib heads,if it moves excessively then it suggests cruciate lig damage.Both these will be performed by an Orthopaedic surgeon with ease.It may help you to take Aspirin as this will enable any lactic acid crystals be removed from the joint space/fluid,as well as the anti inflammatory action.

 

[Young_Spike]

i searched on google and i ended up on arrse and a guy described the same problems. they suggest it may be Iliotibial Band Sydrome (I.B.S.)
although since being young ive always had trouble crouching then rising was the problem i had to take the weight off whilst extending my leg.

i dno i still have to wait for the scan but can you get in the corps with IBS?

http://www.ourhealthnetwork.com/kneepain_itb.php

YS

 

[SMUDGER879N]

I have what they call "degenerative spondylosis" (bone crumbling on the joints) in my lower back, after a fall at work. It leaves me with much the same results as that chap with the knee problem. Doc reckons that if I ever get arthritis in it, that would mean a wheelchair job? It leaves me limited as to mobility at times as to how far I can walk, or even move.
Still, I do have the odd good day, its the having a pint bit I miss, as I cant have any booze at all, it clashes with the medication, according to the doc. I suppose that's what caused all the throwing up the last I had a bevy?
Cheers Smudger.