Arthroscopy Maldugs’ arthroscopic meniscus surgery

[Maldugs]

Ok, had arthroscopic meniscus surgery on my left knee on 12th April, I can now walk unaided without crutches which is a relief after 7 weeks, the knee is still a bit sore but I guess it is only 7 days since the surgery, my surgeon said this may be the last try before I need a knee replacement, so hope I get a few more years before that decision, seeing him for a review next Wednesday.

Regards Mal.

 

[Jockette]

@Maldugs Welcome to Recovery!

Since you’ve had your surgery I’ve started a Recovery thread for you. Please continue to post any updates or questions here.

I think you might be sore for a while, surgery will do that, but I hope this gives you good improvement.

Even though you didn’t have a TKR, I will leave you our Recovery Guidelines, you may find a lot of it useful for this surgery. Each article is short but very informative. Following these guidelines will help you have a less painful recovery.

Just keep in mind all people are different, as are the approaches to this recovery and rehab. The key is, “Find what works for you.“ Your doctors, PTs and BoneSmart are available to help, but you are the final judge as to the recovery approach you choose.

Knee Recovery: The Guidelines
1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now, they are almost certainly temporary
2. Control discomfort:

rest​

elevate​

ice​

take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)​

don't overwork.​

3. Do what you want to do BUT

​

a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you​

b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.​

4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these

​

the BoneSmart view on exercise​

BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy​

5. At week 4 and after you should follow this

Activity progression for TKRs​

6. Access to these pages on the website

​

Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications​

Wound Closure​

The Recovery articles:
The importance of managing pain after a TKR and the pain chart
Swollen and stiff knee: what causes it?
Energy drain for TKRs
Elevation is the key
Ice to control pain and swelling
Heel slides and how to do them properly
Chart representation of TKR recovery
Healing: how long does it take?

Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

There are also some cautionary articles here
Myth busting: no pain, no gain
Myth busting: the "window of opportunity" in TKR
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds

We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery.

While members may create as many threads as they like in the majority of BoneSmart’s forums, we ask that each member have only One Recovery Thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review the member’s history before providing advice, so please post any updates or questions you have right here in this thread.

 

[lovetocookandsew]

I think that's basically the same surgery I had in 2004. If so, it gave me 10 more years before I had my TKR. Hopefully you'll get a good result and be able to avoid a TKR.

 

[hawk2go]

I had meniscus surgery in 2012, TKR in 2021. When I had the meniscus shaved down, I still had enough cartilage in the joint. The cortisone injections helped with 1 injection sometimes lasting a full year for pain control. When you talk with your surgeon, ask about the condition of the joint. Good luck.

 

[WFD]

it gave me 10 more years before I had my TKR

My identical experience as well.