Ruptured ACL and torn Cartilage - what would you do?

[Londinium]

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

[SnowTigress]

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!

[Londinium]

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?