Having an "arthroscopic partial meniscectomy" on Friday (anyone else have this done?)

[Andy22]

It's an outpatient surgery where they cut away the damaged part of the meniscus. Just wondering if anyone else has had this done and just how pain was involved post-op. I was hoping to be able to coach my little co-ed basketball team on Saturday morning but that is just 24 hours after the procedure. The nurse told me I would not feel like going but this is our last game and I really hate to miss it.

 

[squirrel dog]

Yes I had it . Your knee will be sore and swollen. The meds they will prescribe for you will ease the pain,and a really good ice pack will be your friend.I think you can make the game,just don't walk around too much.

 

[mpo]

You won't want to go.

Your knee will be as big as a melon. Your mobility will be limited. Standing won't be much fun. Sitting won't be much better.

And, to top it off, you'll probably have a vicodin or two in your system.

If you do decide to attend, make sure you go with an adult in case you have to bail in the middle of the game.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I tore my lateral meniscus back in high school and had to have arthroscopic surgery. I was supposed to be on crutches for several days but was walking without them the next day and forged a doctors note and playing baseball the next week. I was lucky enough to go to a top sports surgeon to have it done.

 

[Andy22]

Thanks for the feedback. I fear I might be underestimating the amount of pain I will be in afterward. Capt...I also am having a "sports surgeon" do the procedure as he is the official surgeon of the Memphis Tigers basketball team but I don't think my 39 year old arthritic knee will bounce back quite the same as yours did

 

[slsmnaz]

you should be able to make the game. You'll probably be in PT just a couple days after surgery anyway so you will need to be up and around (prob still need the crutches and can't drive yourself). I had my acl and meniscus done a couple years ago and was off pain meds after a few days

 

[Capt Caveman]

Thanks for the feedback. I fear I might be underestimating the amount of pain I will be in afterward. Capt...I also am having a "sports surgeon" do the procedure as he is the official surgeon of the Memphis Tigers basketball team but I don't think my 39 year old arthritic knee will bounce back quite the same as yours did

Well, I think your biggest concern will be swelling. Mine wasn't painful at all but yeah, it was when I was young whippersnapper.

Good luck, hope you're able to coach the game.

 

[highland145]

Well, I think your biggest concern will be swelling. Mine wasn't painful at all but yeah, it was when I was young whippersnapper.

Good luck, hope you're able to coach the game.

This. But I was 20 and 21. Off crutches in 3 days both times.

 

[lokiju]

A member here by the name of Syrch has had it done.

 

[Eli]

You won't want to go.

Your knee will be as big as a melon. Your mobility will be limited. Standing won't be much fun. Sitting won't be much better.

And, to top it off, you'll probably have a vicodin or two in your system.

If you do decide to attend, make sure you go with an adult in case you have to bail in the middle of the game.

A couple of vicodin? Fuck that.

Surgery = mandatory percocet. lol

 

[Andy22]

you should be able to make the game. You'll probably be in PT just a couple days after surgery anyway so you will need to be up and around (prob still need the crutches and can't drive yourself). I had my acl and meniscus done a couple years ago and was off pain meds after a few days

No PT since it is not a repair. They just go in and remove the damaged part of the meniscus.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VElp9SpGS-Q

 

[BoomerD]

When I had my ACL replaced 6 years ago, they also removed a few big pieces of the meniscus that were torn to shit.

I remember at one point thinking. "If I'd have known how dammed much this hurts, I don't think I'd have done it."

But that only lasted a day or two.

I don't like pain meds and have a pretty good tolerance for pain anyway, so I refused to take the pills as often as prescribed...but I was glad to have them when I needed them.

Your surgery won't be nearly as "invasive" as mine was, but it'll still hurt a bit for a couple of days.

IMO, you probably won't want to attend the game on the day following your surgery, but you should be able to do so...as long as you realize that you'll probably be on pain meds, probably still be hurting... or at least "uncomfortable," and will probably not have full use of that leg. (with crutches and a driver you should be ok to go..if you feel up to it)

 

[djheater]

Had it done when I was 19. The other knee needs it, but I've put it off for 15 years already, so i can probably make it to the eventual replacement

It hurts, lots. I don't think you'll be up in 24 hours. Kidney stone was worse, but that simple knee surgery hurt like hell. I think it's because of all the nerves there and it gets hugely swollen.

good luck...

 

[mpo]

No PT since it is not a repair. They just go in and remove the damaged part of the meniscus.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VElp9SpGS-Q

No PT? I would check with your surgeon or insurance carrier to see if you are eligible.

PT helped a lot for strength and stability in my repaired knee.

 

[rudder]

I had my ACL and meniscus worked on right after I was in high school. It hurts more now many many years afterwards than when I had the surgery.

 

[StageLeft]

No PT? I would check with your surgeon or insurance carrier to see if you are eligible.

PT helped a lot for strength and stability in my repaired knee.

Also depends how it tore. If an unusual trauma vs an underlying and chronic issue (last particularly wanting PT).

I've not had this. If I live to old age I'll be very surprised if I don't get scoped at some point.

Anyway, this surgery is hit or miss on short recovery, as you can tell from this thread. I'd not be optimistic about making it to that, but you never know. I've come upon people who are running only a few weeks after this surgery and go on without issues indefinitely in the future (notwithstanding the higher incidence of arthritis down the road, but it is what it is) and others who don't but my impression is that it's generally a decent surgery.

 

[highland145]

I had my ACL and meniscus worked on right after I was in high school. It hurts more now many many years afterwards than when I had the surgery.

Last spring(?), mine started hurting bad enough that I almost couldn't ride my bike. I increased my fish oil caps to 8/day ( 4 morn/4 eve) per my nutritionist (read somewhere up to 15/day). Amazing results and 6 rides/week. Fish oil does thin your blood, so I watch for bruising/nose bleeds. So far, so good.