Arthroscopy on my right knee tomorrow
Discussion
Not looking forward to it to be honest but needs to be done. Every time I fully extend my right leg I get this clicking noise like when you cracked your knuckles as a kid. However this is every time I straighten my leg so it gets annoying and painful after a while as well as stopping me from being able to drive certain cars too.
Reason im posting is no one car really tell me how long its going to take to heal so I can drive, walk again. I have had some people tell me couple of days and some people tell me anything upto a month. and the nhs guidlelines stated 6-8 weeks!
So has anyone had keyhole surgery on their knees to remove cartilage or trim tendons etc? and how long did it take to heal?
Reason im posting is no one car really tell me how long its going to take to heal so I can drive, walk again. I have had some people tell me couple of days and some people tell me anything upto a month. and the nhs guidlelines stated 6-8 weeks!
So has anyone had keyhole surgery on their knees to remove cartilage or trim tendons etc? and how long did it take to heal?
Depends what you're having done via arthroscopy tbh.
I had cartilage removed and years ago and was disappointed when I didn't even get a walking stick to use when I left (on foot) the following day.
A more recent exploratory arthroscopy and I was up and about shortly after.
You should be walking very soon after and certainly be able to drive not long after. (days rather than weeks). Take a lead from your Dr., physio and your own discomfort.
I had cartilage removed and years ago and was disappointed when I didn't even get a walking stick to use when I left (on foot) the following day.
A more recent exploratory arthroscopy and I was up and about shortly after.
You should be walking very soon after and certainly be able to drive not long after. (days rather than weeks). Take a lead from your Dr., physio and your own discomfort.
I had mine done in the morning and out on the town that night,though i was on crutches!! I drove the next day but it was uncomfortable.I was told to rest but I always have plenty to do here so I went to Portugal for two weeks. I rested by day and hobbled about at night.When I returned home all fixed! I am so glad I had mine done you do not realise how much it effects your life until its sorted.Best of luck tomorrow give it three weeks and everything will be better than your normal now
though it was autoI had arthrosocpy on my left knee bank holiday weekend, but I'm a bit of an expereienced campaigner as this is my 7th knee operation, but only my second on my left. I had a fair bit of damaged cartilage removed and a sample taken from part of the knee where it isn't required. My advice is....
Take the pain meds for at least a couple of days, you can gauge how much discomfort you are in first thing in the morning as you won't have taken anything for 8-10 hours, last weekend I was off pain meds within 2 days. Do all the movement exercises given to you by the physio religiously as getting full range of movement (ROM) is really really important, it can be a bit tender but worth it and it will settle down quickly. Finally ice, ice, ice, you can never really over ice the knees, I recommend getting a couple of bags of frozen peas so you can alternate every hour or two and they sit on the knee better than the gel packs, I use a tea towel in between so I don't burn the skin.
In terms of what you can do post operation, speak to your surgeon but I had the op on Saturday and was back in work on Thursday (probably could do it sooner but better safe than sorry with swelling, I worked from home). I went to the gym that Thursday as I need to do weights on my right leg but still managed to do 5 minutes on the bike with low cadence and low resistance to help with the ROM.
In terms of full activity it is a bit hard to say, I have very little to no cartilage left in my knee so it was sore before and is now when I put weigth through a bent knee, but that is due to my condition and I have another operation booked in 5 week which is open surgery. I'd suggest you might have a bit of tenderness at the operation sites, I also wouldn't spend large amounts of continuous time on your feet with out a rest for the first week or so, this will stop the swelling building up.
All in all you'll be fine after 2-3 weeks and I'd expect the surgeon to let you go about your business as soon as you feel you can, they generally like you to be up and about as quickly as possible.
Should add, walked out of the hospital in the afternoon a few hours after the operation. The above is really advice to take it easy for a couple of days and to keep the swelling to a minimum, but you can walk about etc and not be restricted straight away.
Take the pain meds for at least a couple of days, you can gauge how much discomfort you are in first thing in the morning as you won't have taken anything for 8-10 hours, last weekend I was off pain meds within 2 days. Do all the movement exercises given to you by the physio religiously as getting full range of movement (ROM) is really really important, it can be a bit tender but worth it and it will settle down quickly. Finally ice, ice, ice, you can never really over ice the knees, I recommend getting a couple of bags of frozen peas so you can alternate every hour or two and they sit on the knee better than the gel packs, I use a tea towel in between so I don't burn the skin.
In terms of what you can do post operation, speak to your surgeon but I had the op on Saturday and was back in work on Thursday (probably could do it sooner but better safe than sorry with swelling, I worked from home). I went to the gym that Thursday as I need to do weights on my right leg but still managed to do 5 minutes on the bike with low cadence and low resistance to help with the ROM.
In terms of full activity it is a bit hard to say, I have very little to no cartilage left in my knee so it was sore before and is now when I put weigth through a bent knee, but that is due to my condition and I have another operation booked in 5 week which is open surgery. I'd suggest you might have a bit of tenderness at the operation sites, I also wouldn't spend large amounts of continuous time on your feet with out a rest for the first week or so, this will stop the swelling building up.
All in all you'll be fine after 2-3 weeks and I'd expect the surgeon to let you go about your business as soon as you feel you can, they generally like you to be up and about as quickly as possible.
Should add, walked out of the hospital in the afternoon a few hours after the operation. The above is really advice to take it easy for a couple of days and to keep the swelling to a minimum, but you can walk about etc and not be restricted straight away.
Edited by DaiMichael on Thursday 17th May 21:59
I dislocated my knee in a bike accident years ago.
I ended up with a similar problem to you, and it got so bad I had an Arthroscopy in 2007.
They flushed out the joint, cleaned up (as in trimmed away) a little of the meniscus cartilage, and removed a huge piece of floating cartilage about the size of a walnut. This necessitated a third incision in the medial side of my knee to remove it, as well as the two incisions for the scope.
I came round after the operation feeling as if I'd just woken up as normal in the morning. Within an hour I was drinking tea and eating toast. 30 minutes later I got out of bed and walked to the toilet for a piss. Despite my knee being swathed in a huge amount of bandages that restricted movement a bit, I walked normally and most importantly with no pain whatsoever.
Just over 2 hours after waking up I was walking out of Hospital and into my mate's car like nothing had happened. Got home, had Dinner, felt normal.
I rested it for a couple of days, and then I couldn't resist removing the bandages. I covered the scars with some smaller plasters and cleaned the wounds with a bit of TCP daily. I had the stitches removed 10 days later. By then I was back out running. At no point did I have any pain - the painkillers they gave me sat unused.
Then in 2011 the joint developed some further problems. Cue my 2nd Arthroscopy last January. Again, same procedure as above - walked out 2 hours later, no pain, nothing.
Only downside for me this time is that they found my Articular cartilege is now badly worn - and hence Ive been told (at 40) no more running, ever
Good luck - you will see what an easy, pain free and quick procedure this is. Don't worry!
I ended up with a similar problem to you, and it got so bad I had an Arthroscopy in 2007.
They flushed out the joint, cleaned up (as in trimmed away) a little of the meniscus cartilage, and removed a huge piece of floating cartilage about the size of a walnut. This necessitated a third incision in the medial side of my knee to remove it, as well as the two incisions for the scope.
I came round after the operation feeling as if I'd just woken up as normal in the morning. Within an hour I was drinking tea and eating toast. 30 minutes later I got out of bed and walked to the toilet for a piss. Despite my knee being swathed in a huge amount of bandages that restricted movement a bit, I walked normally and most importantly with no pain whatsoever.
Just over 2 hours after waking up I was walking out of Hospital and into my mate's car like nothing had happened. Got home, had Dinner, felt normal.
I rested it for a couple of days, and then I couldn't resist removing the bandages. I covered the scars with some smaller plasters and cleaned the wounds with a bit of TCP daily. I had the stitches removed 10 days later. By then I was back out running. At no point did I have any pain - the painkillers they gave me sat unused.
Then in 2011 the joint developed some further problems. Cue my 2nd Arthroscopy last January. Again, same procedure as above - walked out 2 hours later, no pain, nothing.
Only downside for me this time is that they found my Articular cartilege is now badly worn - and hence Ive been told (at 40) no more running, ever
Good luck - you will see what an easy, pain free and quick procedure this is. Don't worry!
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
I dislocated my knee in a bike accident years ago.
Only downside for me this time is that they found my Articular cartilege is now badly worn - and hence Ive been told (at 40) no more running, ever
I'm in same position at 37 and I had MACI on my right knee last year, despite been a keen distance runner I decided not to run again (surgeon & physio agreed it was for the best) but I was back up and cycling 60+ mile rides until 4 weeks ago, right knee isn't perfect but 1,000,000,000 times better than it was before. Unfortunatly I found out 8 weeks ago my left knee is almost in the same state Only downside for me this time is that they found my Articular cartilege is now badly worn - and hence Ive been told (at 40) no more running, ever
and I'm now having it on my left knee.Have a look at MACI. MACI is still considered research/trial but they can graft on cartilage grown from your own cells, looonnngggg recovery and most insurance companies don't cover it in most parts of the knee so it can also be very expensive, but you can't put a price on health and I don't want be sedate until all options are exhusted.
DaiMichael said:
I'm in same position at 37 and I had MACI on my right knee last year, despite been a keen distance runner I decided not to run again (surgeon & physio agreed it was for the best) but I was back up and cycling 60+ mile rides until 4 weeks ago, right knee isn't perfect but 1,000,000,000 times better than it was before. Unfortunatly I found out 8 weeks ago my left knee is almost in the same state and I'm now having it on my left knee.
Have a look at MACI. MACI is still considered research/trial but they can graft on cartilage grown from your own cells, looonnngggg recovery and most insurance companies don't cover it in most parts of the knee so it can also be very expensive, but you can't put a price on health and I don't want be sedate until all options are exhusted.
I know, gutting isn't it? and I'm now having it on my left knee.Have a look at MACI. MACI is still considered research/trial but they can graft on cartilage grown from your own cells, looonnngggg recovery and most insurance companies don't cover it in most parts of the knee so it can also be very expensive, but you can't put a price on health and I don't want be sedate until all options are exhusted.
I wasn't some competitive, mental Marathon or distance runner - more for fun and to keep fit for bike racing. Although I did do a 10k once for a laugh with a not disrespectable time of 38 minutes. Not bad for someone that 3 years prior to that was a fat, 21 stone, unfit layabout that hadn't even run for a bus. You CAN get slim, fit and turn your life around if you want to kids
But running went from a means to lose weight and get fit, to a much - loved hobby and stress relief. Sometimes I went running just to think, and work out a particular situation in my head. I would run without even thinking about the running - just my rythmic breathing and footfall cadence being enough to almost hynotically concentrate my mind on whatever it was I was trying to think about and work out.
I loved the fact that I could pull on my trainers on a sunny Sunday, open my front door, and burst outside clutching a huge bottle of water with the world at my feet. I live in the countryside, and sometimes I would go off at a slow pace intent on 'countryside sight-seeing' rather than thinking about exercise. It made me very happy that I could jog and jog and jog through miles of footpaths and bridleways for 3 or 4 hours at a stretch.
Returning home feeling so relaxed and happy from spending so much time with nature, but also at the same time giving my body a thorough work-out and stretch. Then tucking into a nice big, energy-recharging meal, and falling asleep in bed later almost instantly from the exercise and the fresh air
Other days, strapping on my HRM and going out to do Fartlek drills. Being amazed that when I was running flat out, REALLY concentrating on stretching the fullest extent of my legs out in front and behind me, concentrating on controlling my breathing, that I could actually run fast enough so that the wind whistled past my ears so fast, I could hear nothing else but 'wooshing'! I've only ever done that before, unaided by an engine, going downhill on a bicycle! Can't believe I can run fast enough to do it on two legs!
And, gotta say it, and anyone who doesn't think this is a liar
but the feeling of overall fitness and physical 'superiority' over your mates and work colleagues. Maybe I was a bit big headed, but it's nice to think that you could out-run and out-pace everyone else you know...yes?!And now, like you, one meeting with a Consultant has taken it all away in an instant
I did ask what would happen if I carried on running, and he said, with a huge degree of seriousness 'then I'll see you back here for a complete knee replacement before you reach 45 years old. And believe me, you won't like it - a knee replacement means you might be able to enjoy a degree of mobility and not have to use a wheelchair and endure horrendous, degenerative knee pain. A knee replacement DOES NOT mean you can exercise or go running. You will also have to come back every 10 years to have it replaced.'So I decided I did't want a knee replacement either
I have to say, it took me a long time to come to terms with it - and actually I'm not sure I have even now. To have something so familiar and enjoyable, so central to your life, taken away in an instant - to be told you can NEVER, EVER, under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES do it again - well, at 38 years old as I was then - it was a real heavy blow.
I sulked like a child for months on end, and rejected the idea of any other training or gym work. My diet turned to crap, I started smoking again and eating loads of rubbish. I put on stones in weight and all my fitness went out the window.
Nowadays, I try to eat reasonably well, and I try to do a few walks and a bit of cycling. I bought myself another lovely, snazzy expensive road bike to cheer me up and maybe get me into cycling, but in truth it hasn't really worked. I enjoy it once I'm out on it, but getting motivated to drag it out of the garage is very difficult.
The fact is, since I can't run, I've kinda given up on it all, which is a shame and tantamount maybe to a self-destructive personality disorder - but there it is, I can't change it. MAybe I should see a therapist?!
R.L-Y - The psychology of injury or exercise related-injury to an athlete can be similar to the response of people facing imminent death.I'm being completely serious.This grief-response process is atypical:Denial/anger/bargaining/depression/acceptance and re-organisation.I suffered with all these and completely understand how staggeringly f
ked off you are.The worst feeling I felt was strong identity loss as I felt I lived for my running..it defined me.I'm over it now and have started doing weights again although still can't even get on a bike.You need to be positive and realise 99% of the situation is in your mind,so try and motivate yourself.If you can't then go and see a counsellor..I know a number of athletes/ex athletes who have done this and all said a weight was lifted...
ked off you are.The worst feeling I felt was strong identity loss as I felt I lived for my running..it defined me.I'm over it now and have started doing weights again although still can't even get on a bike.You need to be positive and realise 99% of the situation is in your mind,so try and motivate yourself.If you can't then go and see a counsellor..I know a number of athletes/ex athletes who have done this and all said a weight was lifted... TinyCappo said:
Not looking forward to it to be honest but needs to be done. Every time I fully extend my right leg I get this clicking noise like when you cracked your knuckles as a kid. However this is every time I straighten my leg so it gets annoying and painful after a while as well as stopping me from being able to drive certain cars too.
Reason im posting is no one car really tell me how long its going to take to heal so I can drive, walk again. I have had some people tell me couple of days and some people tell me anything upto a month. and the nhs guidlelines stated 6-8 weeks!
So has anyone had keyhole surgery on their knees to remove cartilage or trim tendons etc? and how long did it take to heal?
depends what's done.Reason im posting is no one car really tell me how long its going to take to heal so I can drive, walk again. I have had some people tell me couple of days and some people tell me anything upto a month. and the nhs guidlelines stated 6-8 weeks!
So has anyone had keyhole surgery on their knees to remove cartilage or trim tendons etc? and how long did it take to heal?
ask your surgeon about your case before discharge
Will.
Sports Knee Surgeon
I had arthroscopy March 2011 to trim tendons , 2 crutches for 3 days , 1 crutch a further 5 days , was driving within the week and on the golf course again within 3 weeks.
Started physio 2 weeks affect the Op, did all the exercises daily , knee has been great ever since touch wood
Cheers!
Nick
Started physio 2 weeks affect the Op, did all the exercises daily , knee has been great ever since touch wood
Cheers!
Nick
Just so you don't completely panic, I had my second one last year on a Thursday & was back in work that night (not wise-the staff reckoned I looked a shade of green).
Went to the pub Friday, off the crutches Saturday back at work Tuesday.
Didn't take the painkillers as I honestly didn't feel it needed them & I was a bit concerned about taking such potent things.
Skiing about 3 weeks later.
I had a bit of torn cartilledge removed (it was causing the knee to lock) & had the knee cap de-fibbrilised?? Something like that it was called?
Worse thing was feeling a bit crap after the GA, I came round but fell back to sleep again.
Time before that was around 10 years ago & wasn't very pleasant at all so I'm guessing things have come in a bit.
Obviously all cases are different-good luck!
Went to the pub Friday, off the crutches Saturday back at work Tuesday.
Didn't take the painkillers as I honestly didn't feel it needed them & I was a bit concerned about taking such potent things.
Skiing about 3 weeks later.
I had a bit of torn cartilledge removed (it was causing the knee to lock) & had the knee cap de-fibbrilised?? Something like that it was called?
Worse thing was feeling a bit crap after the GA, I came round but fell back to sleep again.
Time before that was around 10 years ago & wasn't very pleasant at all so I'm guessing things have come in a bit.
Obviously all cases are different-good luck!
My Dad had one done about 2 years ago. Basically what they described as a wash out of the knee. Operated on just before 5pm, walked out of the hospital at 10.30pm.
Sadly it didn't work (surgeon that did the first procedure said it was unlikely to), and he has just had his full knee replaced.
Sadly it didn't work (surgeon that did the first procedure said it was unlikely to), and he has just had his full knee replaced.
well im back and all ok so far.
They trimmed both tendons and removed some loose cartilage that was between the bones. great fun ended up on a ward with a "powerfully built" banker to my left and three Army lads from aldershot to my right no eating from 8pm the night before and no water from 5AM. eventually went down for surgery at 1pm and back in recovery by 2:30pm
Was quite funny once the anaethetist had dropped the line into my hand and flushed it through with saline he walked back in with the anaesthetic pressed it into my hand looked at me and said "right I want you to count back from 5" I looked at him and said
"Eh Fi...." and was out like a light
came round and I was very sleepy so they put me on 100% oxygen and told me to keep the mask on for about an hour so back in the ward mask on reading Franky Boyle's "My st Life So Far". bit surreal and alot funnier with 100% O2.
so all back round and enjoying the banter as two of the army lads have been given Tramadol and are all over the place we have been given coffee and biscuits and about 40minutes later all come down from massive sugar highs.
So Im back at home feeling proper lazy playing COD MW3 and watching lovefilm. Im going to enjoy the time off and enjoy the pills
They trimmed both tendons and removed some loose cartilage that was between the bones. great fun ended up on a ward with a "powerfully built" banker to my left and three Army lads from aldershot to my right no eating from 8pm the night before and no water from 5AM. eventually went down for surgery at 1pm and back in recovery by 2:30pm
Was quite funny once the anaethetist had dropped the line into my hand and flushed it through with saline he walked back in with the anaesthetic pressed it into my hand looked at me and said "right I want you to count back from 5" I looked at him and said
"Eh Fi...." and was out like a light
came round and I was very sleepy so they put me on 100% oxygen and told me to keep the mask on for about an hour so back in the ward mask on reading Franky Boyle's "My s
t Life So Far". bit surreal and alot funnier with 100% O2. so all back round and enjoying the banter as two of the army lads have been given Tramadol and are all over the place we have been given coffee and biscuits and about 40minutes later all come down from massive sugar highs.
So Im back at home feeling proper lazy playing COD MW3 and watching lovefilm. Im going to enjoy the time off and enjoy the pills
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