My Knee Finally Gave Out

[Don Nadie]

Well after 38 years, untold miles and 40+ parachute jumps as a dumb young kid my meniscus finally couldn't take it anymore. Doc says I have to have ortho surgery to put it right again. Has anyone here ever undergone the procedure? If so how long were you off work and PT?

Limpingly yours,
Don

[Sierra]

I have now had a total of three arthroscopic surgeries for torn meniscus in both knees (2 on left, 1 on right). Surgery is a piece of cake. You go in, put the gown on, they shave your knee and mark it, knock you out and send you home afterwards. You'll have a big@$$ Ace bandage on you knee for two days with gauze to suppress bleeding. At the end of two days you pull the Ace, throw out the gauze, and walk around with tape on your knee untill it comes off or you pull it off. If you are still bleeding, put some gauze on it (2x2 squares will suffice) and rewrap. Repeat as needed. End result will be two small (1/4 inch) scars.

I was back to work the next day on two occasions, and the day after on my first. It should be noted that, for the most part, I have a desk job. If you are working in the field, you will be restricted from activity. A full release is normally given within 6-8 weeks.

Use of crutches is up to you and based on tolerance. The longest I used crutches was 6 days and that was on the knee he had done the most extensive work on (it felt like he had taken a baseball bat in there!). You will not be walking as fast as normal, but you can still do so fairly easily.

I was off the chicken little pills in a couple of days. Again, depends on tolerance and how much work they did.

I recommend at least some physical therapy. It will help speed up strengthening the muscles around your knees and expedite recovery. Take the recommendation for what it is worth. Once the incisions have healed, massage them regularly to break up the scar tissue that will develop. It will feel like lumps where the incisions were. It helps.

Less than five months after my first surgery I was running better than my previous times. It likely helped that I had spent a great deal more time in the gym than I had prior to the injury.

Good luck.

[Don Nadie]

Thanks Sierra,

I'm kinda pissed at how long it is taking my HMO to doing the arthro surgery already. I've been sittin on my can watching TV for a week already and they are talking like May 9th for the surgery....jeez. I like sittin on my @ss as well as the next cop but man enuff is enuff.
You have put my mind at ease somewhat and that helps me be a little more patient....get it... patient....har har.
I plan on taking your suggestions to heart and doing the PT as I need a good recovery and I don't want to repeat this crap anytime soon.
Thanks for the info,
Don

[mobrien316]

I haven't had that surgery but it's unfortunate you have to.

Good luck and have a speedy recovery!

[Don Nadie]

I haven't had that surgery but it's unfortunate you have to.

Good luck and have a speedy recovery!

Thanks Brother. I am still at a loss as to the appeal of Vicodin is to the junkys.....it just makes me sleep alllllll the time. So I sold it :p


Don

[qpd158]

3 knee surgeries as well, none since being employed as LEO. Last 2 surgeries on same day, both knees. Meniscus damage was so severe in my left knee the DR actually drilled holes in an attempt to get more meniscus to form. That was 6 years ago and can actually say I have had no problems. Went to therapy for about a month, got a workout regiment from them and went to the gym I had been working out. Went back to therapy to "test" out as I had ACL replaced and scored very well. Better than the therapists expected.

Good Luck

[mcsap]

I had two shoulder surgeries last year ...one arthroscopic and the other NOT.

BIG difference in the recovery times !! I'll recommend the arthro every time !!!

[mpd145]

Well its good you were expecting it right??? At least u prepared urself for it.....lol

[Sierra]

My last two should have been on the same day as well. We were hoping the problems with the right knee would heal up by itself. It didn't and it shredded worse (he said he had never had one so bad in his career).

I didn't know meniscus would grow back. They recommended glucosamine and chondroitin (sp on both?) to help what meniscus remained. They have come up with a gel that allegedly can substitute for the meniscus, but it is still a few years out.

[qpd158]

I have been taking the Glucosamine Chrondotin Sulfate compound for several years, and if I don't I can predict the weather better than the national weather service, just don't expect much from me. I walk like the oldest person alive.

[Don Nadie]

I have started taking the Glucosamine....just to cover all my bases. I am 7 days into my injury and each day I can walk a little better. I have no illusions though, that I will probably have to have the arthro surgery.
Thanks All for the feedback.
Don

[Sierra]

I have started taking the Glucosamine....just to cover all my bases. I am 7 days into my injury and each day I can walk a little better. I have no illusions though, that I will probably have to have the arthro surgery.
Thanks All for the feedback.
Don

You are walking better because the inflammation is going down and you are not really stressing the area. Try running again and you'll know you haven't healed.

[Mantisz]

on top of the glucosomine take glutamine as well. in fact, check the bottle because they are usually paired up. My dad had ortho surgery to repair 3 tears in his meniscus, but he also broke his leg across the plateau of the bottom leg bone. Well, my dog broke his leg. Long story. But anyways he was on crutches and in a wheel chair for 4-6 weeks, and is feeling relatively good. The Doc told him he can't run, and he can't gain weight either, so the running got him a disability from the Nat. Guard. Now he's fishing and riding his motorcycle on a disability check. The biggest problem is going to be the PT, so be careful. You might need to adopt a form of exercise with less impact, like tai chi or yoga. And don't fool around trying to run right away. You may want to run, but I imagine you'd like to walk for the rest of your life a little more.

[Don Nadie]

Yeah...I am looking at buying an elliptical or a spinning bike to go along with my treadmill. I am not going to be running anytime soon. Thanks for the advice

Don