I've heard all the problems related to arthroscopy of the knee, but is there anyone that's had a success? Both my husband and I need to have meniscus repair mine has frayed and his is a full thickness tear from a fall at work, he has to go back to work as a plumber so needs to kneel I need a good knee as the other side is replaced. Thanks in advance.
Since I had my knee arthroscopy 18 months ago I've been following posts on this forum. Many of them are from people that have had bad experiences with this treatment, but I suppose you only tend to hear of those rather than others where they have been a success.
There seems a common theme with nearly all of the people that have had trouble after the operation - and that is appalling bad or non existent physiotherapy treatment. Even before I had my op, the surgeon arranged an appointment with the hospital's physiotherapist to go over exercises that I was told were essential to help with recovery. After the op, the hospital arranged follow up physiotherapy appointments at my local hospital in Yeovil where I received excellent advice and treatment. I'm sure this helped in my recovery - I was walking without crutches after 10 days and was able to do a 9 mile bike ride a few weeks after that with no ill effects at all. I was back to normal after about a month and now, 18 months on, have nearly forgotten about the op and all the pain I had before it.
I've read on this forum about many people that were no offered physiotherapy at all - I find that incredible and would suggest before you have the arthroscopy that you ask your surgeon about what aftercare treatment they are going to arrange for you. If they don't offer it or appear a bit vague about it, then go elsewhere for your operation.
I was told by my surgeon that whilst most operations are successful there are a small number that are not, and sometimes you may end up with no relief at all. My thought was at that stage that I had everything to gain and nothing to lose. If things had not turned out well, then there was always the option of a complete knee joint replacement - albeit more involved and slightly longer recovery.
Thanks for your honest reply John. We have just returned from a holiday In Vietnam.....where my husband walked for miles, and climbed very uneven steps to visits Buddhas and temples etc,..I mainly sat and waited as I have had numerous joint replacements. ..
my main concern is ..if you can walk miles like he did and climb stairs like he did then you can't be in that much discomfort and is it worth doing something that you could end up potentially worse, Than what you are now..
I personally don't think so. If you can't. Do anything then of course it's worth the risk, he can't just have a knee replacement if it doesn't work as he is a plumber with only 5 years left until retirement,.self employed....I'm not doing mine yet, as I already have 5 joints replaced and don't want another if I can help it...thanks again for your response,..I've heard all the bad stories just wondered if there are any good ones,..
Oh and my husband has his own agenda regarding post op instructions, he doesn't follow them,..
To be honest Mary I think some of my problems are of my own doing.
I was like tour husband in that I wasn't in too much pain and could walk for miles.
Instead of doing my exercises which I think are crucial I went out walking after a couple of days
I had a hip replacement I'm 2008 and was told to carry exercising right up to the op and walk as soon as I could.
I thought the knee op would go the same way but i was wrong.
I hope both your ops go well anyway and stick to what the physio says.
Mary,
I agree - if your husband can walk miles and climb stairs, then perhaps best left alone. Before my operation I was in severe pain, could only walk short distances at a very slow pace and as for climbing stairs - I could only master that by doing one step at a time with by body turned sideways. Any bend of the knee was very painful.
The relief after the op was heaven and I was so glad I had it done. As you say, if your husband is relatively pain free and mobile, then perhaps leave it for the time being.
Hi Mary
I had the operation a month ago today, the knee ached a bit for a few days and the area aroungd the stitches was a bit sore for a while but after leaving any kind of exercise for a few weeks I have returned to cycling ( cycled a lot for many years and right up till the day before the operation ) I have cycled over 100 miles in the last few days with no pain or after effects at all inm fact the knee feels realy good, this in spite of the fact the surgeon said I will need a complete knee replacement within a few years !
So it would seem that so long as your leg muscles are strong they wil support the knee joint.
God Luck
Thank you Dave, my hubby has very strong leg muscles, he is up and down ladders on and off roofs etc, a very manual job. But also being self employed means the more time off the less money. He earns, so he needs to weigh up the pros and cons,..thanks again.2 surgeons we have spoken to one said a week off the other said 2 weeks off, but from talking to people here both are unrealistic.
Hi Mary
It sounds like he will have a very good chance of a swift recovery then, it's a balance between working the muscles for the required support and not over doing it and causing unneccasary damage, weigh up the for's and against's of having the operation not sure if I was just lucky or if their is a lot of unlucky people out there post operation, but I am glad I had mine done
Hi. Mary, having keyhole surgery for locked knee because of torn cartilage next Tuesday, I will let yiu know how I get on regards Bev
Thanks Bev I am very interested,, good luck with your surgery,
Thanks I will let you know. Are you in a lot of pain with your knee..?
Hi Bev, I'm okay at the moment as I had a cortisone injection about 6 weeks ago, to get me through a huge holiday in Vietnam, I only got back Saturday, and it worked well while there..it's now slowly wearing off, the trouble is I don't have a good knee the other side as it's a total knee replacement along with both hips. It's my husbands knee I'm worried about as he is a self employed plumber and tore his in a fall...he is still walking miles and going up stairs so I don't think he should do it after reading all these horror stories, he's not got any sick time and he is only 60 so not quite old enough to retire. If he was isn agony and couldn't walk well there would be no question, but while he can work walk the dogs visit every temple with very uneven steps in Vietnam I'm inclined to leave well alone,..of course surgeons are very happy to put you under the knife. One said he would only need one week off the other said 2 weeks off, and I read stories that people are on crutches for weeks.good luck with it do let me know your results. Thanks.
Thank Mary I will. I wouldn't have the op if I didn't have pain and could walk. You have been through a lot yourself though, take care and will keep you updated 😃 Bev
Hi had mine yesterday and feeling sore and stiff but to be expected I suppose. Will keep you informed how it goes from here. Not too good going upstairs on the crutches yet😀 regards Bev
Good luck Bev...
I've had my right knee done 3 yrs ago with no problem after was on crutches for 2wks, had my left knee done 2 yrs ago, trouble since then, had it operated on again 9 days ago for a torn cartledge nd a bakers cyst, had it done on the Monday was back in hospital on the Wednesday with excessive bleeding. The pain I'm in is unreal started physio day after op, I can't do hardly any exercise with it because the swelling won't allow it. Can't sleep, can't bare any weight on it. Really wish I didn't have it done. Good luck with your one
That's sound awful. Hear so many horror stories which suppose to be a simple op. Will take my bandage off tomorrow it's just very stiff at the moment and alittle weak
After the first operation I was fine, I'm only 33 and was told I was young enough to recover quickly, not the case at this moment in time. I've taken 2 tramadol. Tablets 3hrs ago nd still in agony, was hoping to get back to work by Tuesday (hairdresser) but physio have said at least 3wks more on crutches, hope you start feeling better soon xx
How was your bandage removal?? Hope all went well x