How to I fix my left knee I have been diagnosed with articular cartilage damage?

Question

I do not want to get a knee replacement.

Answer 1

This doesn't mean your going to get a knee replacement. Go see your doctor first. He'll probably take X-Rays, then send you to an orthopedic surgeon who'll then take another x-ray (doctors like taking X-Rays) or MRI's. He'll then, if necessary take an arthroscope: then put you to sleep and run a camera on a small needle into your knee in several spots, they can look at the bone, cartilage and tendons and see what's going on. If you have torn cartilage, he'll sew it right there through the small incision, there'll be about four of them, they won't hurt and you probably won't even have a scar..
It all takes about 45 minutes. Ice packs and not even any pain pills, there's hardly any pain.

You'll be on crutches for about four weeks and it'll be over.

Answer 2

1st go to a doctor and let them check you out, from there you will get a x ray and a MRI. should you need surgery more than likely it will be a ortho scope so it will be 2 stabs on either side of your knee and then depending on what they see they may have to make a stab if they need to cut some cartilage that may have sheared away. I have had 2 ortho scopes done on my left in the past 3yrs due to a toran medial meniscus. My 1st was more complex due to the surgeon finding more damage that at 1st. No you won't get a knee replacement but a good othro doc will let you is have developed Osteo Arthritis which over time can cause you to get a knee replacement. As far as recovery time it depends on what they find in your knee my 1st surgery I was out of work for 7mo but I had some extensive damage to my knee. The one I had in 4/07 I made a much quicker recovery this was due to the doc only making two stabs it more or less a clean out but I do have Ostero Arthritis so I have to watch my high impact activities. do not be afraid its kinda cool because you get some interesting pics of the inside of your and they usually give a choice on how you get to be put under. also do not be fooled you have to take some pain meds BECAUSE you will in pain trust me been there done that 2x but its all good also follow your surgens instuction and will be up and going in no time but remmber do not push your self that is what happened to me my 1st time.