Yep. Posted on this elsewhere previously. Went hiking on Mam Tor Ridge two years ago, was absolutely fine, came down off it and was standing in a rain-sodden meadow just outside Castleton with a mate, looking forward to getting in and having a well-deserved pint and pub lunch. Being a polite person, I was stood to one side off the single-track path letting what seemed like the world and his wife go the other way (it was a Saturday, and a beautiful October morning), replying “Hello, hello, hello, hello, hello” until I got sick and tired of being polite and giving way, and suddenly, deciding that I'd had enough, pivoted abruptly to go. Had not noticed that the boot on my left foot had sunk deep into the turf. Standing start. Pivot. Rrrrrip!
Fuck, for about ten minutes, it was one of the most intense pains I've ever experienced.
Anyway, long story short, I somehow got back to France at the end of that week (that was the end of that hiking holiday — it was the first fucking day!— but then it became a visiting CAMRA-guide pubs holiday by car, which was ok too!), and for several months limped around on it, thinking I'd just walk it off. Finally had it first X-rayed, then scanned, and it confirmed that I had ripped the meniscus, and there was part of it flapping around in my knee! You can actually walk around on it — until that fatal moment when the cartilage becomes trapped between two bones, and then it is as painful as fuck! Until it becomes untrapped. And so on.
Had it operated on last November (a full year after I'd done it, which proves that if you're stupid like me and treat your body as indestructible, you can live with it, after a fashion). The scan is really necessary to the surgeons, apparently. It means they can do keyhole surgery, pretty much, and on a local anaesthetic.
I'm now pretty much as right as rain, or as much as I'm going to be at nearly 71. Have not tried a long hike in rugged territory since. That would be a test. It can be slightly painful going down steps (i.e. in railway carriages, underground stations and suchlike) but no problem going up.
Get it done. I have private coverage to beef up my state health insurance, and went to a private clinic where they do nothing but hips, shoulders, and knees. Nothing but that, all day long. They can do them in their sleep. The actual operation took about fifteen minutes, I should say. I then had a private room to rest up for about three or four hours. Operation was at 7.30. I was out by about 1 p.m.
Two things to the OP and everyone else on this thread:
I'm a walker. I always have been. When they did the initial x-ray they said, “You know, for someone of your age, your knee is generally in very good condition”. That helps. Even in advance of the mishap, and certainly after it.
As soon as you're out, get walking. Nothing crazy, start gently. But walk a bit every day. Do not let it seize up. That's the worst thing you can do. Extension and flexion work is what they call it. After about a week or so, if you can, get on a bike and do a bit of cycling. Again, no steep gradients or anything stupid. Just a mile or two on the flat. Then increase it if you like. Gentle pedalling. All the work you do in these initial weeks will be a comfort and mobility investment for years to come.
They gave me a crutch to use, but I couldn't be doing with it. I decided to do without it, from the day after the operation.
Going down steps in i.e. railway carriages, or train and underground stations, hurt. I needed a rail (there wasn't always one), and couldn't scamper down them. That lasted for two or three months, I should say. Fine now.
Oh, getting in and out of cars is quite a business, especially if they're fairly low-slung. That hurt for about four weeks or so. I had to get in and out very gingerly. Take it easy on that.
