Suspect Torn Meniscus

[middleman]

I think I missed what you are actually expecting and hoping to be able to do and when

Despite the small incisions, keyhole knee surgery does hurt afterwards, the poor joint goes through quite a trauma. Don't overdo it, assuming you're not 90, your knees need to last you a while yet

I just doubted what the consultant was telling me when I asked how long I would likely be off work during recovery? he said, "I've had self employed builders in here having it done and they are back to work in 2 days". I wouldn't have imagined a builders work to be easy on the knee so going by this I thought I would be back on my bike quicker than others are telling me now.

 

[vickster]

My knee surgeon is pretty conservative, he'd have signed me off for 3 weeks, I think it was two this time as I couldn't be off for longer
... Then again he knows I wreck myself cycling - he was the poor sod who had to clean out the massive infected haematoma on my shin after I was knocked off last February

There's no point risking a full recovery if you don't have to!

 

[Kestevan]

I had a meniscus tear repaired in Feb.

Weight bearing immediately afterwards, but first 2 weeks spent with leg elevated and minimum bend. I had considerable swelling around the joint throughout this period. Physio started after 10 days - but "little and often" with regards the Bike. I was told gentle spinning only with no resistance for 3 weeks, followed by slowly upping the resistance. I was pretty much back to normal riding 5-6 weeks after the opp.

Friend had same operation done early Jan, and is just now starting to ride without discomfort... it was at least 8 weeks for him before the swelling died down to normal levels - he didn't however have the "luxury" of the physio care I received, as this is not normally offered on the NHS in our area.

I'm due back in July for a slightly more serious op - MCL ligament reconstruction..so will probably be looking at 4-6 MONTHS off the bike, so don't feel too bad at losing a couple of weeks

 

[vickster]

Meniscus repair, ie. Stitching back together or trim, ie removing the torn bits. There's a big difference in the rehab

 

[middleman]

Mine is the trim one, well that's his plan from the MRI anyway.

 

[vickster]

At 37 that's normal, meniscus starts to degenerate from age 30 on and becomes hard to stitch. If he's a good surgeon, he'll remove the bare minimum, you want to keep as much as you can! Once a lot is gone especially, the mechanics of the knee alter which can lead to further tears and other issues

 

[Glenn]

I had lateral meniscus tear in my right knee about 6 years ago. I havd private health insurance through work, after 4 weeks of physio I was sent to a specialist, an MRI and 4 weeks later I was in hospital for the op. The consultant said I was on the table for 11 minutes in total, he removed approximately 1/3rd of the cartilage, I have before and after photos of the inside of my knee somewhere. 1 hour later I walked out of the hospital unaided after being assessed by the physio, 2 days later I walked about 3 miles, but regretted later.

 

[middleman]

I had lateral meniscus tear in my right knee about 6 years ago. I havd private health insurance through work, after 4 weeks of physio I was sent to a specialist, an MRI and 4 weeks later I was in hospital for the op. The consultant said I was on the table for 11 minutes in total, he removed approximately 1/3rd of the cartilage, I have before and after photos of the inside of my knee somewhere. 1 hour later I walked out of the hospital unaided after being assessed by the physio, 2 days later I walked about 3 miles, but regretted later.

Longer term, how is the knee?

Part of the problem I think is private health insurance. It can be a blessing or a curse. I think the consultant is so willing to open me up before considering any other option as he gets a nice cheque for it. Having got a few opinions from the people who have had this op I am coming to the conclusion I am being given a very optimistic recovery time indeed.

I am going to see a very experienced Physiotherapist to see if there is any way of avoiding surgery for now or at least get a second opinion as I still have a full range of movement and have no severe pain to speak of. Will cycle on in the meantime.

 

[vickster]

Just tell the consultant you want to wait and try physio. Other than the infected haematoma, the surgeon I see privately has never been in a rush to operate.
Keep the meniscus intact if you can. I didn't have surgery for 5 months with my first year and my knee was locked and couldn't be straightened. I did manage to grind more away but if you've no trapped the tear in the joint that shouldn't happen

Having seen bills, the surgeon and anaesthetist don't actually get that much. The bulk of the 2.5k cost actually goes to the hospital

 

[vickster]

@Glenn have you had an X-ray or MRI since to check the joint for arthritis

 

[Glenn]

@vickster No, so far I haven't had any further problem with it.

 

[Glenn]

@middleman Since the operation, apart from over using it a couple of days later, it has been trouble free. The consultant did say that it would be more prone to another tear now, but touch wood it's fine.

 

[middleman]

Just an update to this for anyone searching in future. Was in Majorca, cycled, managed hills but had some pain not from the cycling more after walking or in the pool with my daughter. Jumped holding her in the pool and got the pain on the inside of the knee again so decided to get it sorted when I got home.

Had the operation about 4 weeks ago privately, all went well according to the surgeon. In at 8am, operated at about midday, out at about 5 that evening would have been sooner but blood pressure was low. Swollen and sore for a few days, bandage removed after 2 days, sticky plasters after 5 revealing 2 very small cuts with dissolving stitches. Given exercises to do by the Physio to get range of movement back. Discomfort doing these but have to be done, had painkillers to help with that.

At this point if I overdo it I do still get discomfort with it so am going to ask what I should do with regard to cycling. Have the bike on the turbo and I think some light spinning at this stage would be good but I'll update how that goes.

 

[vickster]

I was back cycling about 4 weeks after my last arthroscopy. The physio had me on the exercise bike after a week
Do what you feel is right, just don't overdo it, start resistance low, do little workouts often