Surgery on the Horizon

[Gentleladybear]

I fell and got a real close look at some concrete back in September. We have been doing physical therapy and although it has helped the pain is there. When I drive it hurts, if I walk too much it hurts, or twist it really hurts.

So the doctor has decided to go to the next level and go ahead with surgery to repair the menicus tear. I will talk to them at work tomorrow about when is the best time to cut loose and get this done. May have to wait until April 8th but if so, it has to be.

Anybody had this type surgery? Tell me about it.

Nan

[Bethers]

OUch, sorry to hear that, Nan. I believe that's the surgery my bil had on a knee. If so he was good to go soon after. So hope it works as well for you. If it's the same surgery, it's arthroscopic, right? If I remember correctly, they bored me to death with a video of the surgery. Guess it's a good thing I didn't want to have that profession

You take care and heal fast!!! And I hope you don't have to wait. How long do they tell you you'll be recovering?

[BarbaraRose]

I had that surgery 11 years ago. My doctor screwed it up, but only because he did something different than what he told me he was going to do. They usually just remove the meniscus that is damaged, and three days later you are good as new! He decided (during surgery) that he was going to sew it back together and put pins in it to hold it that would eventually dissolve. After I woke up, I find out that I would be on crutches for 6 weeks with physicaly therapy for 3 months! I never signed up for that! I was really angry! So was my boss. Instead of missing a couple days of work, I ended up missing a couple of weeks of work and then only going back part time because of the PT. It was my right knee so I wasn't able to drive, so my dad drove me to work, picked me up, drove me to PT, drove me home again. My mom came over to cook and clean for me until I was off the crutches. Then one of the pins he put in didn't dissolve and started migrating out the side of my knee, so finally I begged the doctor to go back in to remove it, so he did, but by then it had worked it's way into my bone and he could only remove part of it, so back on crutches for a couple more weeks and more PT! I have had lots of problems with it since then.

So the moral of the story is...make sure they actually remove it, rather than try to fix it!! You don't really need it anyways. A guy I worked with was a marathon runner and he had the surgery (removed) and was back at work in two days, walking up and down stairs, and running marathons within a month afterward! So tell your doctor not to try and fix it! It was a very painful and frustrating recovery and I wouldn't wish it on anyone! Ruined my whole summer!
If I ever have to have the other one done, I will get it in writing and notarized that they will only remove the darn thing!

Hope I didn't scare you, but if they do it right by just removing it, it will be a piece of cake!

[avalen]

now adays its done ortho-scopically and the healing time is quick. Have had a few
drivers at work have the surgery and sometimes they are back in just a couple days,
others a week. Hope all goes well for you.

[Liz]

Oh Nan, I didn't read this before I pmed you. Hope you didn't aggravate it on our hike the other day. Also pray it's a quick recovery for you so you can get on the road.

[cpatinjones]

I have not had this type of surgery. I hope everything will be okay after the surgery. Take care of yourself.

[sunshinecruiserTN]

Glad you decided to go ahead and get it fixed up before it's time for you to hit the road. You will be good as new before long and be able to keep up with Liz. Take care and ifyou need me there, let me know. I'm good at bugging people for physical therapy.

[Carolinagal]

Nan, so sorry to hear you're in pain and facing surgery. I know nothing about this type surgery, so can not offer any info there. Just wish you a speedy recovery , so you'll be up and able to do all you want to , soon. Do hope you can get the surgery soon, so the recovery doesn't delay any fun activities you might have planned Take care!!

CArol

[retiredhappy]

Oh Nan, sorry to hear about your owie. Get it fixed and take care of yourself.

[VickieP]

Nan, no experience with that surgery either, but I do wish you well and fast healing. You know....Belle could drive you around, that'd be a new adventure for her, just sayin'.

[Gentleladybear]

I can see now I can have some great campfire stories once this is done. You can bet I don't want it repaired I want it fixed. I told him this was slowing me down on camping and traveling so needed it done so I could get on the road.

I have told my son he had to stay put and see me through this, but if I can't get him to sit still, Carolyn may call on you.

Nan

[dayspring39]

Oh Nan I was on the count down for you... now I will be praying for a speedy recovery so you can hit the road running... take care...
Kathleen

[Nasoosie]

Nan, meniscus surgery has come a long way in the past ten years, and should now be a piece of cake. Ahtletes have it done like clockwork, it seems. Chat with the docs so you know what the plan of action is, and then go for it! My son had the surgery a long time ago, and has never had any problems since. And I believe they repaired his, and did not remove it. However, his was torn, not in pieces, so they out it back in place and made it stay put.) The knee needs something to lubricate (like oil or grease) that joint, so ask what they will put in there should they remove the lubricating meniscus. Maybe in older people (ahem, like me) they would just remove it, assuming I would no longer be active enough to really need my knees that much longer. BUT, we ladies all need our knees to work for many years to come. Make sure your doc knows this!

Good luck, and get it done as soon as possible!

[Gentleladybear]

I had my heart to heart with Doogie Housier yesterday (my young doctor). He said they will shave of the torn part of the menicus and it will stop the pain. I should be out a week, no driving no working. I talked to them at work today, since this is a workman's comp situation I am asking for this to be done on March 16th. That should give me plenty of healing time before I hit the road.

This is like waiting on Christmas, hurry, hurry hurry April 8th. LOL

Of course they asked me if I would come back May 1 and work for a week....told them if I was here with nothing to do I might....but don't think I will be here....hurry hurry hurry.


Nan

[BarbaraRose]

I am glad the doctor explained exactly what he will be doing. I am sure you will be back out on the road in no time!