My knees have bothered me since high school (probably a combination of genetics and sports), and in May 2020, I cranked my left knee while my foot was stuck. It was sore for a couple weeks then seemed to get better. Then it would flare up. There was never any real strength in it, ladders and stairs were both feet on each step, especially with any weight. Last fall walking for whitetail was pushing it.
In February this year I finally broke down and went to the doctor. Xrays and an MRI to find out I had a torn meniscus and a fractured tibial plateau. Referral to a specialist who said that most surgeons wouldn’t want to operate (He said on anyone over 36 anything they take out accelerates the wear on that knee). He recommended Monovisc injection into the knee. It is expensive ($400 per injection). In August I got the injection, they asked that I take it easy for a couple days to allow it to settle in the joint. So far the results have been way better than I expected. Climbing is no problem, I went sheep hunting this fall and put on around 50km in 3 days. I had some diclofinac that I would rub on morning and night, but more of a preventative measure.
Before I got the shot I talked to another guy that is on his second injection (said he overdid it too soon after his first one). He was very satisfied with his results. The injection was painful but so far I’m going to say that it was totally worth it, there is little to no pain in my knee now, it still pops a bit (the Dr said that should get better as the muscles get stronger around the knee).
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