Has anyone had Knee surgery in the past few years?

[Christopher 102]

Just wondering how long it took before you can start walking, how long the therapy lasts and how long until you can start doing things just about normally.

Was told it is probably a torn Meniscus but not sure until the MRI, could be other torn ligaments or tendons.

I have heard that therapy lasts for about 6 weeks more or less then about a month later you are almost normal again.

Would like to hear from people that have had this done or know someone close to them that had it done.

Thanks.

[James 625]

Depends which problem gets fixed. The more evasive the surgery the longer the recovery. Torn ligament repairs few months, torn cartilage fix couple weeks.

[John T 744]

Hey Chris I tore my meniscus last year just walking along while my guys were cleaning a parking garage in CT. My knee just collapsed and down I went.

When I got home 3 days later I had an immediate MRI because of my knee either locking up os collapsing which made it a medical emergency. End result I had a grade 3 tear of the meniscus and had Surgery on it a few days later. They gave me a special brace to wear and the very next day We went back and did another Garage in CT with a 3 day deadline which was the same as the first garage.

Lesson in here is do not go right back to work, Go to therapy as instructed and then build your knee back up as to the Doctors advice.

A year later my knee is still week and it still collects water(Had it drained 4 times after surgery where they said no more on that due to risk of staff infection). A meniscus tear you should be able to come back completely if there is no other more major ligaments in your knee that has problems as well.

The king of the Knee's if you want to know everything about them and what to do and not to do is first don't do anything I do..lol and Contact John Orr who's dealt with anything and everything with knee's

Good Luck

Edited August 21, 2012 by John T
added pics

[Christopher 102]

I hurt it last year and have been limping on it since. At the ER last year I was told that it was probably the Meniscus but they cannot tell without the MRI. The other week at the different ER, they did not have an MRI (I was hoping that they would so we can see what is going on) so still not sure.

Looking at some different types of treatment and have an appointment in a couple weeks with the specialist to see what is wrong and what it will take to get it working again.

Thanks guys.

[John T 744]

Chris-- if possible instead of these docs beating around the bush try to get them to get you that MRI which pretty much tells you what the problem is. If it's the Meniscus the operation is quick. You could theoretically walk the next day and within a month your pretty much good to go.

Kathy also had hers done but the doc said she could do the therapy first to see if she can strengthen her knee. It was a 6 week long therapy. Kath asked her doc(orthopedic surgeon) what is the best bet because she needs to get better. Her Doc said he would recommend the surgery because it's not evasive since its only orthoscopic. She also had to get injections because she was bone on bone... It's not as bad as it sounds. If you have other ligament damage in there which are more severe then the Meniscus that's important to know because it's a whole different ballgame dealing with the other ligaments.

If you want to borrow the brace I have which are two different ones let me know. They weren't cheap. The first brace is what you see in the pic above where it kept my leg straight so I can walk around without my knee bending. The second brace I bought my self where you can put ice packs in it and then pump it tight so you can ice ur knee to keep the swelling down and you can still do things instead of laying on the couch with ice on your knee.

My problem and John Orr could tell ya is I never sit still. For example yapping on the phone for 5 hrs and pacing my house is not a good way to get a knee to heal.

[Christopher 102]

Thanks John.

The ER gave me the long brace like what you have to keep your leg straight, cannot even get into the truck with it on, it goes from my ankle up to right below my butt, it was the largest they have. The other brace is so I can move my knee, straps around the thigh, the other part around the leg below the knee and then other straps that go around those.

Hoping to not have surgery if that is possible, looking at alternatives also.

Thanks.

[AAPaint 14]

I tore the meniscus lining in both knees years ago and tore my acl. Never had surgery. Hurts to kneel and sometimes to climb ladders, but that's it.

[John T 744]

I tore the meniscus lining in both knees years ago and tore my acl. Never had surgery. Hurts to kneel and sometimes to climb ladders, but that's it.

Ouch I thought I had it bad. The knee I had no choice but to have surgery where my wife's got progressively worse where she ended up getting surgery. The meniscus surgery is pretty quick. The ACL is another ballgame which mine checked out fine. 20 yrs ago I tore both Achilles tendons on one stupid softball play and one of those tendons were a complete tear. My orthopedic elected to no do surgery on the severed Achilles tendon and even though I was out of work for almost a yr on my own time both tendons healed.

Sounds like you need that MRI Chris so they can see exactly what's going on instead of the docs trying to tell u to rehab yourself and then 6 months later u may feel no different. Maybe thru rehab and some glucosamine your knee heals.

[Christopher 102]

My dad tore his acl about 25 or 30 years ago and just wears an elastic knee support, he just dealt with the pain over the years.

I have been taking the Glucosamine, Condroitin, etc.... a couple times a day, 2 different brands and have had little success. A doctor and pharmacist told me that if after a month or so of taking supplements if they don't work, they probably will not and it needs serious medical attention like surgery.

I am hoping surgery will not be needed, I will find out in 2 weeks at the Dr. appointment when they check it out.

[AAPaint 14]

Yeah, I've beat this old body to death, but it still runs! It has a slight knock and may need a couple new gaskets, but it still has spark, lol.

You'd think with all the damage I did it would be worse, but I really only feel it when kneeling, it feels like my knees will split in two. After blowing a few discs in my back (again no surgery) the knees were bad, but not as bad. Only real bad days are when my spine dislocates and I get stuck.

Chris, I have heard the meniscus thing isn't too bad. Usually all they do is shave it down a little where it's torn. The damage is still permanent, but you won't have as much pain. I'm sure John can tell you, you still have to take it easier than before with your knees. It's not the tear that hurts, it's when the meniscus folds over where it's torn. At least this is what they told me when I tore both of mine.

[Guy B 70]

Just wondering how long it took before you can start walking, how long the therapy lasts and how long until you can start doing things just about normally.

Was told it is probably a torn Meniscus but not sure until the MRI, could be other torn ligaments or tendons.

I have heard that therapy lasts for about 6 weeks more or less then about a month later you are almost normal again.

Would like to hear from people that have had this done or know someone close to them that had it done.

Thanks.

Had that happen (torn meniscus) in my left knee, hurts like crap. Doctor said if they scoped it I'd have more problems down the road. Had a couple of cortazone shots and was good to go in about 3 or 4 months.

Of course each case is different.

[Christopher 102]

Great info guys, thanks.

[NJWashingGuy 31]

Christopher,

I recommend that you seek out a qualified holistic healer in your neck of the woods. The medical establishment wants you to be a repeat customer since they are in business. Once you go under the knife, you will never be the same.

Just kidding. Seek out a good sports doctor since they understand the rigors of physical work and can comprehend that you need to get back to work in a short time but properly healed. Best of luck to you.

[Christopher 102]

I was thinking a witch doctor or a voodoo pro but cannot find any locally. hahahahahahaha

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

John Orr has been under the knife a couple times for that. Call him.

I hope all turns out well for you!

Beth

[Jerry 24]

I've had the WORST luck and now amazing luck with knee issues..

tore up ligaments at 16, corrective suirgeries at 21 and 25 went ok,

"clean-up" at 45 was a disASSter !

Was confined to a knee brace from that..

Most of my customers knew me as the guy with the knee brace..

5 years ago I had "the worst knee they ever saw" replaced with a new "total knee"..

I gave'em back their crutches on the 10th day, and was hiking agressively within 45 days.

Call me with any question on this I can and am glad to help.

Let me start with this:

If the doctor can explain EXACTly "WHAT" he plans to do,

in a context you can clearly understand, you have yourself an expert.

If they don't explain THAT well, or especially if they act like you don't need to know all the details..

RUN (or at least hobble quickly) to the next opinion.

Quacks and hacks are the same kind of personallities, no matter what profession you choose from..

Quacks and hacks are superficial people, that talk big, act covertly, and leave a vapor-trail of half-a$$ed results behind.

Your BEST chance at finding a "real" expert..

find the premire group in your area specializing in Sports medicine,

and ask for the expert in "worst-case knees".

At 56, I hike with 30 year olds..

not as far, but just as agressively.

Edited September 1, 2012 by Jerry
add-in

[Christopher 102]

Thanks Jerry.