So I saw the PA in Ortho yesterday and she was very informative. She explained things very well although I probably only really understood half of the medical terms.

But the jist is NO SURGERY!! She explained that with a torn ACL you can still do most of the things you want in terms of walking etc. and even light jogging which I did find a little incredulous. Because my meniscus IS INVOLVED ( which the PC doctor said it was only age related degrading) and is actually what is causing the instability.

She also said even down the road if all else fails and they did do a surgery it would be knee replacement not repair of an ACL.

Basically, it will be physical therapy to strengthen the ligaments on both sides of my knee. She also said there was no acute trauma to the bones which is what the x-ray showed. In other words, no fractures etc. So I guess that’s good.

I just got back from my first PT appt and it was also very good. The PT was excellent in explaining the meniscus tear and ACl tear. Basiclly it boils down to strengthen the muscles around the knee to create stability. She advised not walking for a while yet since I’m walking favoring my right leg and so it offsets my gait and can cause other problems( hip) etc. She did say swimming is ok but start slow which I was planning on doing anyway.

All in all I’m encouraged and glad to have a full picture of the problem and what can help me. There is no healing of a torn ACL or meniscus so it’s a matter of living with it and getting my knee stable and strong.