Just read your about your arthroscopy experience and oh my goodness what appalling treatment, or lack of it you’ve had.
An arthroscopy without a proper follow up programme of physiotherapy is just unbelievable. I would complain to your local health authority or someone about this.
I had an arthroscopy last November and it was followed up with intense physiotherapy from day one. It was drummed into me the importance of this – the acute stiffness you get won’t go away on it’s own; you have to work on it continuously.
I received an exercise sheet from the physiotherapist at the hospital where I had my operation, and then they referred me to my local hospital, which was nearer to my home, for a series of appointments two weeks after my operation.
I had loads of exercises to do. OK, they were a bit boring and monotonous, but straight away I felt the benefit of them and that encouraged me to do more of the same.
It’s important to build up the strength of your upper leg muscles as this will relieve the pressure on your knee joint.
I was walking normally, albeit slowly , without crutches after just 7 days and three weeks after that I did a 10 mile bicycle ride with absolutely no adverse effects at all – in fact my knee joint felt better for it.
I didn’t get any pain at all, (apart from a bit when I did one particular physio exercise), which really surprised me.
I’m sure the poor treatment, as well as the lack of it as well, has contributed to your suffering – it must feel awful having gone through the whole operation procedure only to come out at the end of it feeling worse. I was told by my surgeon that it was possible that I might end up with only a very slight improvement, but for you to be in a worse condition must make you feel so frustrated.
I see you posted this over 2 months ago – are you still getting pain ?? If so, then maybe it’s trouble with a damaged nerve ? I believe that’s one of the possible issues that you can get with this operation.
Could I suggest you get a second opinion from another doctor/surgeon to see if they could do anything ? Maybe a complete knee joint replacement is an option. Granted, the recovery time is slightly longer than an arthroscopy, but it may be worth it in the end.
All the best