Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure I tore my meniscus two weeks ago skiing bumps at Steamboat. I went to a doc there who indicated my knee was stable, ligaments looked good, but based on the amount of pain and swelling, I should wait two weeks then follow up with an ortho and get an MRI. 

I have a trip to Snowshoe planned the weekend of the 10th, and am headed to Park City first weekend in March, so will attemp to make it through the season before I take any action beyond diagnostic. 

After reading a lot of medical journals, I'm pretty set against scoping it, and am considering platelet rich plasma and stem cell therapy to try to heal it. 

Bummer. Highly recommend Dr. Chris Annunziata at OrthoVirginia. He has an office in Tysons and one in Arlington at Virginia Hospital Center. He has done several complicated knee and achilles reconstruction surgeries on family members over the years with great results. His bedside manner is excellent and he really, truly knows his stuff. Not into football myself, but he works with the Redskins which is what convinced a family member to go see him LOL.

Thanks, SkiBunny, for the recommendation.  I saw one of Chris' colleagues at the OrthoVirginia Tysons office this morning (Chris natually had a lot longer wait for an appointment due to being higher profile).  

So far the news is good; they couldn't find a mensicus tear (at least by poking, prodding, or manipulating), and there was no pain or instability with any of the tests.  The doc thinks maybe a strained IT band.  They gave me a prescription for an MRI, but hopefully I won't need it if all goes well.  Have been cleared to return to running and skiing, with suggestion I do some PT to strengthen the joint after I've been babying it for 3 week.s