Ruptured ACL and torn Cartilage - what would you do?

Hi all, Im new here, but basically I have a problem and don't know what to do.

As the title says I have torn my Cartilage and ruptured my ACL. This was two years ago. I never had a problem with it until the past few weeks. Previous to that I had been cycling, doing lower body weight workouts and my knee was fine.

In the last 4 months I had started running again (which my doc said would be completely fine [2 years ago]). Anyway, a couple of weeks ago, after running my knee had just felt awful and I could hardly walk. Ever since I have been getting pain in my knee when i either have to climb up/down stairs or walk for more than 5 minutes. It's also painful in the mornings.

I obviously now think I need an operation. However I don't want to get one on the NHS. To just get an appointment will be long enough, and then to book the op would be another what 8 months? I'd prefer to go private, but haven't worked at my new job for long enough yet (need to wait another two months).

So realistically, what can I do? I can either go to the doctor now and wait for 8 months to perform the op, or wait another two months till im able to go private and then do the op in a few weeks... either way im gonna suffer pain in my knee by just climbing stairs :rolleyes2

sorry to hear about your situation, Lon. That sucks.
I guess you're gonna have to wait either way, from how you've described it. Maybe you should go private and wait only 2 months rather than 8?

In the meantime, I would do lots of icing, ibuprofen, elevation and no running or other impact sports. I'd wear shoes with good arch support and stay away from twisting movements.

Good luck!

Thanks for your reply, yep it sucks a bitter and twister lemon alright.

Where can I find shoes with good arch support? Have you heard of knee magnets?