Anyone Have Arthoscopic Knee Surgery?

My knee surgery is tomorrow morning... To remove broken cartilage.
I'm wondering if the procedure hurts as bad as I think it will...

...I'm pretty scared over here.


What was it like for you?



Thanks.

I had it to remove part of a torn meniscus. It was painful, but not horrible. I would definitely recommend listening to your post-opt instructions (like with any surgery). Keep it elevated and iced and don't be a hero, take pain meds if you need them. I was off of crutches in a day, but it is a bit difficult to get around. It would be very helpful if you could have someone to take care of you for a day or so. Ice is super important since NSAIDS are a no-no. It will become your good friend for a couple of days

I've had two scopes on my left knee.  The first, in 1982, was very hard to recover from.  The second, in 2002, was easy-peasy.  I think that's because the changes in rehab philosophy that occurred over the 20 years in between each surgery.

The first time around, I was in an immobilizer for months afterward, before starting any meaningful rehab.  Rehab consisted of joining a gym and riding a stationary bicycle for 30 minutes 4 days a week.

The second time around, I began working with a physical therapist the day after surgery.  I did strength training, used a TENS unit, did stretching and endurance work.  I went back to work with restrictions after two weeks and was on unrestricted duty after about a month.

In the immediate post-op period, I had an On-Q pain pump.  That was awesome.  Utilize the R-I-C-E method.  Rest.  Ice.  Compression.  Elevation.

I had it done in 1999 to address a torn meniscus.  I'll be honest... it was more painful than I expected and it took longer to recover than I expected, but I was also carrying around close to 300 pounds at the time.  I was on crutches for several weeks.

Lora

I have had both knees scoped. For me, I ended up in an immobilizer for months and they controlled, when I could bend my knee. It hurts and be prepared to lose a lot of muscle tone. With hard work, it will be ok.

Teri-Lynn
POI

I had arthroscopic surgery on my knee in '92 to deal with a torn meniscus and a bone chip.  The pain was bearable, much less than the RNY, in my opinion.  I was on crutches for less than a week and I was running one month after the surgery.  As others said, listen to your post-op instructions and do your physical therapy.  :-)

I had it done in August of 2011 it was a piece of cake I walked out that same day with crutches but bearing weight and no pain meds just tylanol and motrin was walking next day and at pt in 4 days. the only thing is that it is still stiff if I sit for a long time. Good luck

My ortho guy got my insurance to approve this http://venturemedicalsupply.com/magento/cold-therapy/09330-polar-care-300.html - and it was FABULOUS for controlling the pain and swelling. Starting physical therapy as soon as you're allowed also helps with movement that will reduce pain later on.

I have had it done 3 times - 2 on the left and once on the right - starting in 2001.  I was in a car accident and bashed my knee on the dashboard and then when I was walking it kept buckling until the cartilaige finally tore called torn meniscus which is probably what you have.  I walked with a walker.  The surgery wasn't that bad but had to go for rehab for along time because it ended up affecting my other knee.  6 months later, my other knee needed surgery and 6 months after that, the original knee needed to be operated again. I had tons of scar tissue and cartilage kept tearing.  About 4 years later they wanted to operated again, even talked about a partial replacement but I said no.  Now that I have lost the weight, my knee dont' hurt although I do have torn cartilaige and arthritis in both of them.

Dont sweat the surgery. It isnt that bad but make sure you take the pain meds, use ice, go to rehab and make sure you move them and bend them because if they stiffen up, they will hurt more and take that much longer to heal.  If you need crutches or a walker at the begining - use it, don't push too fast.

good luck

 I just had it done in October of 2011. Originally they were supposed to remove the torn meniscus part, but once they went in, the tear was too large so they attempted a repair by stiching it back together.  Surgery was ok, and I went home with little pain and no crutches...but that night I developed a blood clot.  Now that was painful.....it really slowed down my healing and I still go to physical therapy every week.. My doctor think its still torn, but they hesitate to do more surgery at my current weight....thats why my orthopedic surgeon and therapist are totally on board for my gastric bypass....  Just like wls, its different for every person though so good luck!!!!