Saturday, July 14, 2012

Arthroscopic Surgery on my Knee coming up!

I have been dealing with bad arthritis in my right knee for years - even before my stroke. Though the winter I though the pain was just from the arthritis and figured it would get better when the weather warmed up as it always has in the past. WRONG. It just kept getting worse & worse until the point that my primary doctor took an x-ray and stated that it was indeed arthritis and to just take 2 Tylenol every 4 hours. I didn't like that idea, but said I would try.

4 weeks later I emailed my primary doctor & told him it was worse and that I was in pain 24/7. He sent me to an orthopedic surgeon and he said I could either take the Tylenol and deal with the pain, or have an arthroscopic surgery done and that should make the pain go away.

He said that I would probably need a new knee eventually, but because I am only 55 and overweight, he said that he wouldn't do it anyway. Basically, he said that I need to lose the weight & I need to wait at least 5 years before anyone would do the surgery. My weight would cause the knee to have problems in either case, so "lose the weight".

On the 22nd, I go in for the arthroscopic surgery and he said that I would need to rest on the couch for a few days, but I would need to get up and walk every hour or so. For me, as long as the constant pain goes away, I am willing to do just about anything.

Anyone have arthroscopic surgery on their knee? What should I expect?


Suggestion & requests for files always welcome.

See you soon!
Judy
Website

14 comments :

  1. Best of luck to you. I too have arthritis--both hips and one knee. Had hip replacement back in 2010 when I was 58--best thing I did. Next week I will be having my left hip done. Also have bad knee, but hopefully this will help.
    Tylenol has never helped (taking it right now because I can't take nsaids before surgery). Also tried synvisc knee injections (and cortisone) neither helped.
    Don't have the overweight problem. Best of luck--doesn't sound like he is doing a knee replacement so I can't help you there.

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  2. Hubby had arthroscopic knee surgery for a torn minescus (no clue on spelling of either of those words). It was his right knee and he drove himself to the doctor the next day. Best of luck to you!

    Melinda

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  3. I wish you well. I understand your pain! I had both knees replaced when I was 57. I could barely walk at that point and was tired of treating with pain meds and cortisone injections that didn't work. It was a long recovery, but I have no regrets. Having both done at the same time was hard, but worth it in the end.

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  4. Judy I never had the procedure you are having on your knee. But back in 2009 (after suffering for 0 years) I had both my knees replace at the same time. I will not lie to you the recovery was rough but it was the best thing I ever did for myself. I suffered with pain like you 24/7. And I was way over weight and still got the surgery. Its always better to lose weight but I knew that would not happen for me. All doctors are different.
    But I am so glad I got both my knees replace (at the same time) it was the best thing I did for myself. No more pain! Since then I have lost 40 lbs. Good luck with your procedure and I hope it will bring you relief because I know what that pain feels like. Fran

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  5. I had a partial (L) knee replacement about 5 months ago and it has helped so much. The rehab is the most important thing...with the partial, it was in and out of the hospital in the same day but you must do the rehab...that is so important. Good luck to you. Smiles Carolyn

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  6. I had my knee "scoped" about 6 years ago. I had it done on Friday and was back to work on Monday. For me, it was an easy procedure but I heal very quickly. It did get rid of the knee pain but I was told that eventually I would need to get the knee replaced. Other than an occasional ache in the knee, it's still holding up.

    Good luck to you and have a speedy recovery.

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  7. I had my knee "scoped" about 6 years ago. I had it done on Friday and was back to work on Monday. For me, it was an easy procedure but I heal very quickly. It did get rid of the knee pain but I was told that eventually I would need to get the knee replaced. Other than an occasional ache in the knee, it's still holding up.

    Good luck to you and have a speedy recovery.

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  8. Judy, like you I am waiting for knee replacements..both knees. My first "specialist" told me no replacment until I was down to my "normal" weight and in his report to my Dr., said that I chose not go to any further with treatment....so my DR., didn't mention it and treated me with meds...how I hate them and their side effects. At my last visit to him, I told him he had to find me someone who would do something to ease the pain and help me so I didn't loose the use of my legs completely...I think you can put together what happened next, I now am waiting for my first and I hope outbreak of shingles to go away so that I can have both knees repaired or replaced! So...bottom line, and after working for my DR., for many years, and I know this....get a second opinion! My first specialist was centered on my weight not my problem, if you can't walk without pain.....so don't walk unless it necessary!

    I sincerely wish you luck and I was very uplifted when Fran mentioned she had lost weight since her procedure, so there is hope!

    Claudia

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  9. Gosh! to type-o's and I proof read this...."I hope ONLY outbreak

    "walk without pain....YOU don't walk...

    Claudia

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  10. I had arthroscopic too. Not recommending it. It is a very temporary and harmful surgery. I have since found out. I too am bone on bone but prefer to try natural. I have found prolotherapy. Google it. I live in NW Ohio and go to a dr in Chicago for these treatments. Couldn't hardly walk when I went for my first treatment. Am doing soooo much better and am keeping all my own body parts.

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  11. I had arthoscopic surg on my knee on March 1-still having a lot of pain, esp. with bending & kneeling. I was told after the fact that I should have had PT to strengthen the muscles before the surgery...anyway, no great wisdom from me, just a suggetion to try PT 1st...might have helped me had I known that ahead of time. God bless, Lori

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  12. Good luck on your knee surgery!

    I was trying to download your mardi gras files and can't get the links to work.

    Would appreciate any help you can give.

    TIA
    Alison

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  13. Best of luck with your surgery. Take care.

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  14. How was the surgery? I do hope it went well. Knee pain can really hinder you from doing things that you want to do. Anyway, I hope you’re doing okay now and that you’re performing the exercise routine recommended by your doctor. This can help strengthen your joints again.

    Javier Honig

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