Question
Hi Rusty:

Thank you again. Now I would ask you a last thing:

1. I am on Vioxx 25mg daily. Ultracet on pain. Can I take Omega threes and Cetyl Myristoleate with them?

2. What about Osteo Bi-Flex (Glucosamine Chondraitin). It says that it rebuilds cartiage & lubricate joints?

Thank you very much for all your help, time and assistance. God bless you!

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Followup To
Question -
Hi Rusty Ford:

I am so grateful for your insifght in my case. I will request little explanation more. I thank you in advance:

1. Will walking help me or I should avoid that too?

2.Omega three fatty acids supplements and Cetyl Myristoleate: Are they available over the counter? or I need to eat some special food? Can I take  them with present Vioxx 25 mg + Ultracet treatment?

3. How I know the amount of damage and likely healing time? I am attaching the Addendum to MRI done on 4/1/04. I got this last week. It might give you more light on my damage. It says like this:

Dear  Dr. Shahbaz:

ADDENDUM TO M.R.I. OF THE LEFT KNEE (4/1/04)

As requested, a retrospective review of the images of the recent MR of the left knee of 4/1/04 is performed. The clinical history is "Left knee pain; rule out popliteal cyst".

Examination of the knee demonstrates two abnormalities.

There is an obliquely oriented linear signal abnormality within the posterior horn of the medial meniscus. This likely represents miniscal degeneration and /or an intrasubstance tear.

There is a small retropatellar effusion, as well as an effusion within the the intercondylar notch.

The remainder of the soft tissues are normal in appearance.

No popliteal cyst is seeen. The popliteal artery and veins are normal in course and caliber.

IMPRESSION: Signal abnormality within the posterior horn of the medial miniscus, which may represent an intrasubstance tear or degenerative changes.

Small retropatellar effusion; small dffusion within the intercondylar notch.

No popliteal cyst is seen. The popliteal artery and vein are normal and in course and calibar.

ERIC LUBIN, M.D.


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Followup To
Question -
Hi Rusty Ford,

I am a regular jogger. Few months back, one day I did a long jog and few new yoga streching excercises. I think my pain started after that.

For the last three months, I have severe tightness and constant pain at the back of my knee. Pain is maximun in mornings when I wake up limping. Walk and jogg makes it a little better.

I did MRI and saw two orthopedic specialists. MRI says no cyst but intrasubstance tear or meniscal degeneration. I took films of my MRI with me. One said I have cyst other said no.

Nowadays I am on daily Vioxx 25 mg and Ultracet to be taken on pain (2 tablets every 4-6 hours). I wear a knee support too. But they are not helping me a much in reducing my pain. Only Vioxx 50 mg helps a little but doctor says I cannot take 50 mg everyday. I cannot sleep fully at nights.

What I do? Am I getting right treatment? I will greatly appreciate your help.

1. What excercises can help me?
2. Should jogging will help me or should I avoid it?
3. How long will it take to cure 100%?

My MRI report says this:
Obliquely oriented singal abnormility within the posterior horn of medial meniscus, which may represent an intrasubstance tear or meniscal degeneration.

Retropateller effusion; small effusion within the intercondyler notch.

No popliteal cyst is seen.


Answer -
Wajid,

First of all you should not jog for a while. Over exertion at this point may complicate the problem and make it worse.

As far an exercise you should see a physical therapist. It is not only important to do the right exercises but also to do them correctly to help build the strength back.

It is hard to say how long the recovery time will be. It depends on how severe the damage is and how much of the surrounding tissue is effected. Cartilage does not heal quickly.  To say the least 100% is not in the picture for a while.

There are two natural alternatives you can add that may help reduce the inflammation and lower the amount of pain you feel. Reducing the inflammation could also help the meniscus to heal quicker. Omega three fatty acids supplements and Cetyl Myristoleate have both been shown in studies to help reduce inflammation.

I wish you well

Rusty
http://arthritis-symptom.com
Answer -
Wajid,

Walking may be fine but I would see a physical therapist first. He or she may want you to do some strengthening first.

Omega threes can be found at any health food store or pharmacy. Cetyl Myristoleate is hard to find. Many health and vitamin stores carry it. We have a link for information and an affordable place to buy it at the top of our web site Or you can do a search for Cetyl Myristoleate in a search engine and find reasonable places to buy it.

This type of injury usually will heal it self. Most people look at 3 to 6 months to reach 90 to 95%. It depends on the rehab and commitment of the patient as well as the individuals body to heal.

I wish you well,

Rusty
http://arthritis-symptom.com

Answer
Wajid,

Yes, you can take omega 3 or Cetyl Myristoleate with your meds.

Osteo Bi-Flex is a good product. Glucosamine and Chondrointin would be good to take to aid in the healing. I am sorry I did not mention it before. I was concentrating on pain reduction and should have mentioned it for its ability to aid in cartilage rebuilding.

I wish you well

Rusty