Thread: Knee Surgery

A few weeks ago, my orthopedist confirmed what I'd suspected for a while, that I have torn cartilage in both knees. I'm guessing that college rugby and the past 23 years as a police officer are the culprits. Anyway, I am scheduled for a procedure known as chondroplasty on the left knee on the 28th of this month. My orthopedist will go in and and smooth out the torn area. This will allow scar tissue to form, rebuilding the damaged area. He's told me I'll be off work for 3 weeks, then I can return in a light duty status. Things should be fully healed 3-4 weeks after that.

I'm curious if any SRP-er's have had this, or a similar procedure done and what your experiences were.

I worked in Worker's Compensation for 15 years and saw lots of knees get done. Chrondoplasty has very good recovery rates and low rates of complications.

The most common cause of complications was people thinking they had fully recovered one week after the surgery and going at things too hard when they should have been recuperating. You do need to exercise, stretch etc. but remember not too push too hard.
The other main source of complications was the people having a good sook and wanting to become some invalid that needed to be babied.

Over 90% of the recovery depends on what happens in the 6 inches between your ears. Keep a good attitude and have a serious, honest and responsible mindset with the rehab and you will be fine.

In a past life I was a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, and a I agree with the info above. The only thing that I would add is that if your insurance allows, you might want to get a second opinion . Might not be needed if you know and trust your Dr. But if you have questions now's the time to check them out.

I have had both knees done twice . Three times similar to yours and one was a ACL reconstruction. I still had three years left to go in the Corps after the ACL. Heavy rucks and jumping with combat equipment. Great advice as was stated is being smart. You will walk right through the surgery I am sure. Good luck! Oh yea, if you are on any blood thinners, they should take you off them one to two weeks prior, aspirin, beta blockers, Motrin, omega fish oils and the like.


Charlie
Reno, NV

I have had ACL reconstruction and partially torn meniscus.
Surgery was a breeze, rehab was tough and now the knee feels great.

Good luck with the surgery