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Can anyone in North West recommend a physio who has helped diagnose and resolve chronic knee pain?
I have been suffering for a few years from anterior knee pain which has reduced my cycling and led to now almost a year without regular exercise. I have seen several physios over the last 3 years without any progress and more concerningly deterioration in the regularity of the pain and maltracking of my patella... Most recently I have been told I have tibial external rotation and I am quite concerned that I may now have underlying soft tissue damage that may end my cycling. I am quite desperate to find someone with the expertise to offer some assistance. I have found having confidence in the person treating you is important and would welcome any recommendations from anyone who may have suffered with a similar problem.
Why do you want to see a physio and not an Orthopaedic Surgeon?
Yes,
Manchester Mets Movement Clinic
https://www2.mmu.ac.uk/movement/
I do work for MMU, but Chris and the team know their stuff. They look after all our Sports Scholars (all sports including Cycling champs)
I've been a few times to get fixed up. All very independent advice - they aren't in it to take your money.
I would not want to see an orthopedic surgeon unless I have exhausted every possible other option. Surgery would be a last resort as far as I am concerned and I hope it is not quite at that stage yet.
See my post above. Knees/hip and spine are Chris' speciality.
Stay away from surgery unless really needed - did this with my spine.
I've popped into the clinic with shoulder injuries (crashed bike) and my long standing spinal injury (broke my spine). You'll get sound advice about what to do.
But if you have been seeing Physios and it’s further deteriorated then doesn’t that tell you something?
A surgeon won’t rush to stick a knife in you but they can do an MRI which will tell you more than any Physio can.
Why screw your knee more than you need to, even a surgeon would prefer to treat a slightly damaged knee than have someone turn up 2 yrs later when irreparable damage has been done 🙄
Thanks fossy I will have a look.
Funky, I have found many of the physios have offered general knee pain rehab and it's only recently it has been identified there are more issues than I realised. Unfortunately I don't have much confidence with the rehab side of my current physiotherapy and so I'm trying to find someone with real expertise in knee pain and/or cycling with whom I can try and move forward. If I need surgery, I need surgery but I am reluctant to go down that road until I know there is no other option. I am hoping to get a scan soon.
@vacant80, you are right to stay away from surgery unless necessary. Been there myself. Worked on my shoulder, but took 18 months to be good again, little simple op, pain for life, then my spine - chose to stay in hospital in bed than have metal work - worked, over 3 years later, but as good as it will get.
You just need advice, as it could actually be a gait issue. You won't get a sales pitch from MMU at all - just ask to see Chris McCarthy. Tell him Anthony mentioned you (say I'm the guy with the broken spine) - I actually work in the building, so I wouldn't recommend anyone usually (I didn't use work when I actually broke my spine as I was off sick) - but you can at least go and see him, for a one off, and he will give you an independent opinion.
You won't get a sell to come back ! The guy know's his shit !! I've had loads of advice from him, just working there. It's worth the 1 appointment just to talk to him and see what he recommends.
Loads of issues come from the hip - i.e. not being flexible enough !
PS no sale here, but might be worth £45 initial consultation for advice.
You need to see a consultant who specialises in sports injuries of the knee.
You may have an underlying bony problem like trochlear dysplasia - in which case, the physio can actually make it worse.
Get the right diagnosis from a specialist - you will need xrays and a MRI.
Of course, they may conclude that it is a soft tissue issue instead, in which case physio will work - but you've been doing physio for three years, it hasn't cleared up, that to me suggests an underlying problem with the position of the patella.
Oh and I should add - if it is an underlying bony problem, the more you delay any surgery, you will guarantee developing arthritis. But I could be wrong - but please see a consultant/surgeon, not a physio for this.