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What Does This X Ray Of Left Knee Indicate?

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Posted on Tue, 30 Sep 2014
Question: I got an x ray for my left knee and my results say the following: "severe narrowing of the medial and lateral compartment of the left knee joint space. Medial and lateral meniscal abnormality should be considered. The distal femur, proximal tibia and fibula are intact. Soft tissue is normal.
Now my question is: is this very serious? reason I am asking is because I can't literally afford to have any kind of surgery, that would make me be out for a long time.....my financial situation is pretty bad. Does it require surgery? or do I have other options for now? I really appreciate your help with this.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Surgery depends on the severity of your symptoms!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about this knee pain and the disturbing findings on xray and all the inconveniences that this has caused you. I understand your concerns about surgery. Surgery is always the last option and used when every other measure fails. It would be guided by the severity of your symptoms and not the findings on the xray. If the pain is severe, you cannot walk without difficulties, the range of movement is greatly reduced, etc., you would find enough reasons to accept and go in for the a surgical procedure if advised. If your symptoms and the functional state of this joint do not warrant it, your doctors would not get there.

Other options are mainly medicatiosn to control the pain and physical therapy. If they prove effective in addressing and improving your condition, then there is no need to get worried about surgery.

In all, if you can tolerate the symptoms and comfortable with the functional state of your knee, there is no need for surgery. Otherwise, you would see the importance and necessity for this. After evaluation by your physician, the best options would be made know to you so that you can choose from them.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (8 minutes later)
just one more question....in your expertise...if (per say) surgery should be done...would this be a surgery that would need a long period of time to be off work, not walking at all etc?
thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It would require not more than 2weeks off work!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up query.

Surgical techniques have advanced so much that procedures like these are done with minimal invasion. Healing is faster and clients do not need to stay off work for long. It all depends on what you do as well. If you are a secretary, you may need just a few days off while an athlete may need several weeks off.

In all, healing is fast and procedures are minimally invasive with advancement in surgical techniques.

I wish you well. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifictions if you deem that necessary.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (13 minutes later)
yes, I am an administrative assistant...am sitting 8 hrs. a day!
ok, I thank you so much for all your help on this matte, you have been great help. I am going forward to see the specialist soon, but at least now I have some kind of idea, and doesn't seem so "scary". LOL

thanks much! have a great week.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (8 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Thanks!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for your kind words. Am humbled.

Keep me posted as you get more information on what the options are. Feel free to request for any more help at anytime should need be.

I wish you a great week as well.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ivo Ditah

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 3984 Questions

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What Does This X Ray Of Left Knee Indicate?

Brief Answer: Surgery depends on the severity of your symptoms! Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you so much for this query. I am so sorry to hear about this knee pain and the disturbing findings on xray and all the inconveniences that this has caused you. I understand your concerns about surgery. Surgery is always the last option and used when every other measure fails. It would be guided by the severity of your symptoms and not the findings on the xray. If the pain is severe, you cannot walk without difficulties, the range of movement is greatly reduced, etc., you would find enough reasons to accept and go in for the a surgical procedure if advised. If your symptoms and the functional state of this joint do not warrant it, your doctors would not get there. Other options are mainly medicatiosn to control the pain and physical therapy. If they prove effective in addressing and improving your condition, then there is no need to get worried about surgery. In all, if you can tolerate the symptoms and comfortable with the functional state of your knee, there is no need for surgery. Otherwise, you would see the importance and necessity for this. After evaluation by your physician, the best options would be made know to you so that you can choose from them. I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.