Case Summary  |  Torn meniscus reveals osteoarthriis in left knee.

I was working as a server in a restaurant at the time of my accident. It was a busy supper rush, and a customer spilled his beverage onto the floor, the bus boy mopped the area but, not well enough and the area was not marked with a warning sign.
I came around the corner from a table I was working and hit the wet spot sending me down to the floor with my left leg twisted in an uncomfortable position.
Thankfully, the knee was not broken however, it immediately swelled three times its normal size. The knee was stiff, and a large bubble the size of a tennis ball began to build above the knee. I could not bend, or put weight on the leg as the fluid build up, and prevented any movement.
My orthopedic surgeon performed an initial exam and did a preliminary diagnoses of a torn meniscus; he ordered x rays and an MRI, and after a second consultation we agreed to surgery as the only recourse if I wanted to return to work anytime soon.
During surgery (I asked to be awake with permission to view the procedure) to repair the damaged area the surgeon informed me of the arthritis forming in the joints, and that the joints themselves were worn from the impact of work related activities, and aerobic exercises I was fond of taking part in.
My first visit with my specialist following surgery a vast improvement in standing and walking, reduction of swelling (except the tennis ball of fluid was still present, that would dissipate over time) however, he informed me that I would eventually need knee replacement or realignment surgery because the the area will continue to deteriorate. The problem was that I was too young at 37 years for those types of surgery, and to perform one would necessitate a subsequent surgery five to 10 years later.
I opted to keep those recommendations in mind and I returned to work three weeks later. I have since given up aerobics for walking, stationary bicycling, good quality shoes for work, and tapping the knee when involved with those activities. I use glucosomine and condroitin supplements regularly which, does seem to help, and I sleep with a pillow between my knees to keep the pressure off of either. So, far I am getting on fine and will continue the routine until that time I absolutely must have a replacement surgery.