Meniscus surgery

[RichZ]

Anyone have this done? I am scheduled for this next Wednesday. Anyone have any experience with this?

[RalphS]

I had my right knee scoped about 12 years ago and had the lateral meniscus "shaved". It was about a 45 minute surgery. I remember needing to go through about six weeks of rehab. I was told that a person of my age then (40) had a long term risk of developing arthritis in the joint. So far, it has not occurred. I am very active for a 52 yo . . . practice karate 3X week, golf 1x week and I run about 6 or 7 miles each week. All of that said, I have regulalry remained conscious about the surgery on my knee, so, I do not over strain it. As long as you do the rehab you should be fine. Good luck!

RalphS

[TULIP]

In 1994 I went in for meniscus surgery. When they got in there, they found the problem was not my meniscus; rather, a chunk of cartilage had dislodged from my femur from a rock climbing accident I'd had a year prior, so the procedure changed. They cut the damaged cartilage away and drilled four holes one-inch deep up into my femur to provide blood to the area so fibrous cartilage would grow. That was pretty rare, and I would guess imaging technology is a good deal better.

When I went under, they said I'd be able to walk out, and recovery would be quick. When I woke up, they handed me crutches, and I had to deal with six months of recovery and physical therapy.

All that to say, when they thought it was a meniscus problem, they made recovery sound like it would be pretty easy.

[sensei_kyle]

One of my Judo buddies has had the procedure two or three times. I think he's had each knee once, plus one again. If you hit all the physical therapy you should have no real problems. My biggest piece of advice (as a two time ACL guy) is find a physical therapist you can deal with. I absolutely loved my therapist the 2nd time, easy going guy, very open to looking at some of my sport-specific questions. If I find my first therapist near a dark alley, it won't be pretty. Avoid the sadists. A little discomfort is different that torture.

[keljian]

I had it done a few years ago, pretty much the same deal as the above mentioned people. Told it'd take 6 weeks to recover, and I'd be walking out, I had to use crutches for nearly 2 weeks before I could limp along

[azjoe]

I haven't had it (although both my knees sound like they're full of gravel when I flex them (result I guess from years of skiing)... but good luck tomorrow!!!

[ZiggyDeath]

Oye, I haven't had experience but I myself am scheduled to get one done soon. It's good to hear that full recovery is possible...

[gugi]

Good luck, Rich, speedy recovery!

[RichZ]

OK had it done. I am taking pain killers but not strong ones I think but it feels fine. I was told not to overdo it the first several days and elevate and ice it. So far so good...

[jnich67]

Have a speedy and thorough recovery Rich.

Jordan