Knee Arthroscope???
- Thread starter dj1470
- Start date
A lot of it depends on your overall health and how damaged the knee is. It also depends on what and how extensive the repairs are. I know of several atletes in university who were doing some training by the end of the week and full out within two or so. I also know a person in their 30's who was immobilized on the couch for 2 weeks.
I think the thinking in general is to start excercising it (as in physio work) as soon as any swelling goes down. The more you stick with the program without overdoing it, the shorter the wait.
I think the thinking in general is to start excercising it (as in physio work) as soon as any swelling goes down. The more you stick with the program without overdoing it, the shorter the wait.
I've had several done (7 in total -4 on the right, 3 on the left) over the years and it's always been the same.
Exercise and mobility decreases the down time plas a good brace would also help in the initial stages. The last one I had done last summer was on my right knee - I was weight bearing at about 50% in less than 8 hours with a brace on and a cane, then no cane and almost full weight bearing (with the brace) within 36 hours. No cane and no brace in about 5 days. But I did come up with an unorthodox post op recovery regimen -that addresses not just the physio/exercise end but diet and other stuff too.
Good luck
Exercise and mobility decreases the down time plas a good brace would also help in the initial stages. The last one I had done last summer was on my right knee - I was weight bearing at about 50% in less than 8 hours with a brace on and a cane, then no cane and almost full weight bearing (with the brace) within 36 hours. No cane and no brace in about 5 days. But I did come up with an unorthodox post op recovery regimen -that addresses not just the physio/exercise end but diet and other stuff too.
Good luck
I too have had this operation on my right knee to repair a torn miniscus (sp?), several year ago. As others have said, recovery depends much on general health and weight of the person, plus the amount of surgery. As a slim fellow in good health, and since the damage was limited, my recovery was quick. In fact, one hour after surgery I headed out to the car with crutches, abandoned them at the car, and within two weeks was climbing, kneeling and all the other good stuff. Pretty good for a 50+ year old.
Attend the post-op rehab and follow their advice to a tee to assist gaining full mobility.
Before the operation, hydrate yourself with plenty of water.
It was rather fun seeing the operation on the bedside monitor in real-time!
Doug
Attend the post-op rehab and follow their advice to a tee to assist gaining full mobility.
Before the operation, hydrate yourself with plenty of water.
It was rather fun seeing the operation on the bedside monitor in real-time!
Doug
Doug said:I too have had this operation on my right knee to repair a torn miniscus (sp?), several year ago. As others have said, recovery depends much on general health and weight of the person, plus the amount of surgery. As a slim fellow in good health, and since the damage was limited, my recovery was quick. In fact, one hour after surgery I headed out to the car with crutches, abandoned them at the car, and within two weeks was climbing, kneeling and all the other good stuff. Pretty good for a 50+ year old.
Attend the post-op rehab and follow their advice to a tee to assist gaining full mobility.
Before the operation, hydrate yourself with plenty of water.
It was rather fun seeing the operation on the bedside monitor in real-time!
Doug
I tore my miniscus in my right knee as well, falling down the stairs over a dog toy. I put up with it for 8 months for finally going to a surgeon. I had x-rays, MRI....both inconclusive as to the damage. Once they got in their with the scope, the damage was readily apparent. I don't know why they bother doing the x-ray and MRI.....most people I know who have had this say the same thing.
After the surgery, I was on crutches for 2 days, then a cane for 2 days, and then I was good to go. I had no ligament damage.
What I am finding 7 years after my knee surgery is the knee is now bothering me again, and I'm told it's because of arthritic changes that are inevitable because of the lack of the miniscus cartilage. So....I may have to have it injected, or, it may be a knee replacement before I'm 60 (I'm 49 now)
I've had both knees done for a torn meniscus, exactly one year apart. Alot depends on the nature and extent of the damage. The first one was just a small corner that had torn loose and was creating the iritation. Three small incisions of 2 stitches each, snip snip, I was out the door about 5 hours after I was admitted. No crutches, pain meds and ibuprofen for 3 days, back to 90% use after 4 weeks.
The second surgery was more difficult. I tore the meniscus laterally, so they had to go in and shave off the loose layer. Same time, same procedure, and this time I skipped the pain meds entirely. But the recovery was longer, and 10 years later, it gives me more discomfort than the other knee, probably because they took out so much more all the way across the surface of the cartilage.
As surgery goes, it is a relatively simple procedure. I was out for both of them, but I do believe you have the option to have a local and watch it on the overhead TV. I preferred to sleep through it.
The second surgery was more difficult. I tore the meniscus laterally, so they had to go in and shave off the loose layer. Same time, same procedure, and this time I skipped the pain meds entirely. But the recovery was longer, and 10 years later, it gives me more discomfort than the other knee, probably because they took out so much more all the way across the surface of the cartilage.
As surgery goes, it is a relatively simple procedure. I was out for both of them, but I do believe you have the option to have a local and watch it on the overhead TV. I preferred to sleep through it.
As everyone says, a lot has to do with the damage to the knee. I've had it done on my right knee (medial plica) and I was off it for 3 weeks (no weight bearing).
The odd thing was the surgeon told me a) I wouldn't be knocked out cold when they did it and b) I'd be able to walk home.
Well, I was knocked out cold and as I said, I couldn't put weight on it for 3 weeks.
As for walking after immediately following the surgery. You're lucky you didn't fuck yourself silly. I don't know what you were on but I was on morphine and couldn't feel a thing. The doc said to me before I was released to NOT put weight on it for at least a week else I would be back in for more surgery in a month.
I also had a buddy who went in for ortho and he was told he'd be skating again in 3 weeks.....well, 6 months later he was still on crutches (seems the ligment had been torn completely from the tendon? and they couldn't tell from the x ray or MRI how bad it was.
So, moral of the story is talk to your doc, find out the best and worst case scenarios and then find out after you wake up how bad it was.
I also want to warn you that I was given a 'script for T3s and was hesitant to take them (cuz I hate the side effects) and even though the doc and the chick who picked me up told me to take two as soon as I got the 'script filled, I didn't take them. Well, when the morphine wore off and I was puking cuz it hurt so fricken much the chick says: guess you shoulda taken those 2 pills ya think???
So, if they give you a 'script for pain meds.....TAKE EM!!!! lol....
The odd thing was the surgeon told me a) I wouldn't be knocked out cold when they did it and b) I'd be able to walk home.
Well, I was knocked out cold and as I said, I couldn't put weight on it for 3 weeks.
As for walking after immediately following the surgery. You're lucky you didn't fuck yourself silly. I don't know what you were on but I was on morphine and couldn't feel a thing. The doc said to me before I was released to NOT put weight on it for at least a week else I would be back in for more surgery in a month.
I also had a buddy who went in for ortho and he was told he'd be skating again in 3 weeks.....well, 6 months later he was still on crutches (seems the ligment had been torn completely from the tendon? and they couldn't tell from the x ray or MRI how bad it was.
So, moral of the story is talk to your doc, find out the best and worst case scenarios and then find out after you wake up how bad it was.
I also want to warn you that I was given a 'script for T3s and was hesitant to take them (cuz I hate the side effects) and even though the doc and the chick who picked me up told me to take two as soon as I got the 'script filled, I didn't take them. Well, when the morphine wore off and I was puking cuz it hurt so fricken much the chick says: guess you shoulda taken those 2 pills ya think???
So, if they give you a 'script for pain meds.....TAKE EM!!!! lol....
The side efects of the T3s can be offset by an OTC med called Senokot. The beauty is -you cannot o.d. on this stuff just makes you shit your brains out even more. But it beats being constipated from the T3s.
Does it help with what I call the "woozies" too? I get postively loopy on T3's.....and also more than a little nauseous too.....healer677 said:The side efects of the T3s can be offset by an OTC med called Senokot. The beauty is -you cannot o.d. on this stuff just makes you shit your brains out even more. But it beats being constipated from the T3s.
Had a "lateral release" (yes, for real) on a knee. Doc said before surgery I would need 6 weeks off work. After the surgery he said they found more junk in my knee than they anticipated. Took me 6 months to get back to work.
Hmmm I guess that release wasn't a "happy ending" as promised eh? lolHurricane Hank said:Had a "lateral release" (yes, for real) on a knee. Doc said before surgery I would need 6 weeks off work. After the surgery he said they found more junk in my knee than they anticipated. Took me 6 months to get back to work.
SOrry dude, I couldn't resist!!!
