I had arthroscopic surgery 6 months ago. For as the doctor described in his surgical notes. A very significant chondral defect on my medial femoral condyle. I had a 2nd doctor`s opinion and followup MRI 4 months later. Which says I have the following problems. Chondromalacia of the patellofemoral compartment without evidence of a full thickness articular cartilage defect. A small Baker`s cyst, with small joint effusion. And there is mucoid degeneration within the posterior horn of the medial meniscus, without evidence of a discrete tear. And post traumatic arthritis.
I was an active,and a fit 48 year old male before all this happened! I fell hard on a concrete floor at work twice. Tackling inmates fighting with staff members. In the institution I work at. Now its the constant nagging pain, and stiffness that bother me. Especially when kneeling,squatting, and going up and down inclines and declines. I used to jog regularly. Now its just walking on a treadmill.
Am I destined to remain this way until the day comes that my knee needs to be replaced? I`ve had cortisone shots with little relief. And I take glucosomine pills now too. Is there anything else surgically or otherwise that might help? I plan on asking about synvisc injections when I see my doctor soon. But I`ve heard that results are only fair at best. I plan on returning to work soon. But by walking on surfaces and stairs that are concrete and steel. My knee won`t appreciate that! Any advice is appreciated!