Knee surgery

[prondzy 3,881]

Well im 1 week in on my knee surgery. And bored out of my mind. Doc says at least 7 more weeks before i can return to work. I tore my Meniscus back at the end of January finally got in and stitched it up on Monday the 21st. Everythimg went well in surgery, Im glad to be headed in the right direction of healing now. Long slow painful process. Crutches, and driving restricitions and pain killers keep me planted in my chair most of the day.

[peter lena 8,627]

@ proendzy ,  having had both of mine done , first thing  I  can recommend is to get off your butt and get to a rehab gym. usually a dr,s  prescription will help in the cost . did they replace the entire knee? had mine done 6 months apart , dr I  went to was the first to use the Mako  robotic  laser assist , and was very in your face about rehab , if you don't establish movement and use , thats what causes problems . found a hardwood floor and a roller Stoll was my go to at home , making you balance , and pull / push on the  knee. went to the rehab gym regularly . they have trained therapists there for knees and shoulder activity . been over 6 years now , no issues . seriously , you should be on a  rehab schedule , they will  keep your range of movement active , pete       

[squonk 41,110]

You got a lot more hardware than me. All I got was a wrap on my knee. I had a sizable meniscus tear 2 years ago. Along with a plica tear. Workman's comp. Had to thru all the Crap as the MRI showed nothing so therapy, gel shot braces. My job required me to be low to the ground a lot I.E. working on kitchen equipment , roof top ac units ect. I couldn't kneel and they wouldn't disable me with out proof that there was a problem. Took 6 month's until the surgeon filed the paper work saying he must do exploratory surgery. 2 month's on WC disability. Then the doctor said He was taking me off disability and putting me on light duty. But my employer would not let me come back on LD so 4 month's of unemployment. Still can't kneel  so I had to retire at 62. Going on 2 1/2 years and I still can't put weight on my knee  when kneeling more the 10 minutes. Hop you have a better out come. I had my other knee done 10 years ago. Same thing but it turned out fine. but I think I have another tear in that one know too 

[JoeM 7,874]

Get well soon and stay out of the ice box!

[squonk 41,110]

I had a walker left over from my back surgery the year before. i made good use of it. Hate crutches! 

[prondzy 3,881]

3 hours ago, peter lena said:

@ proendzy ,  having had both of mine done , first thing  I  can recommend is to get off your butt and get to a rehab gym. usually a dr,s  prescription will help in the cost . did they replace the entire knee? had mine done 6 months apart , dr I  went to was the first to use the Mako  robotic  laser assist , and was very in your face about rehab , if you don't establish movement and use , thats what causes problems . found a hardwood floor and a roller Stoll was my go to at home , making you balance , and pull / push on the  knee. went to the rehab gym regularly . they have trained therapists there for knees and shoulder activity . been over 6 years now , no issues . seriously , you should be on a  rehab schedule , they will  keep your range of movement active , pete       

Peter, rehab starts monday. It was a repair in the knee not a replacement.  Leg brace is locked straight til the doc says otherwise, they dont want me tearing what they just stitched together. Cant put any pressure on that knee for a couple weeks for sure. Beleive me i want to get off my butt and cant wait for physical therapy to start.

[prondzy 3,881]

3 hours ago, squonk said:

You got a lot more hardware than me. All I got was a wrap on my knee. I had a sizable meniscus tear 2 years ago. Along with a plica tear. Workman's comp. Had to thru all the Crap as the MRI showed nothing so therapy, gel shot braces. My job required me to be low to the ground a lot I.E. working on kitchen equipment , roof top ac units ect. I couldn't kneel and they wouldn't disable me with out proof that there was a problem. Took 6 month's until the surgeon filed the paper work saying he must do exploratory surgery. 2 month's on WC disability. Then the doctor said He was taking me off disability and putting me on light duty. But my employer would not let me come back on LD so 4 month's of unemployment. Still can't kneel  so I had to retire at 62. Going on 2 1/2 years and I still can't put weight on my knee  when kneeling more the 10 minutes. Hop you have a better out come. I had my other knee done 10 years ago. Same thing but it turned out fine. but I think I have another tear in that one know too 

Kinda the same scenario here too. They usually fix this large tear with 4 stitches. Doc said he had to put in 8 stitches to get the job done. Same boat though. Worked up til the last day. Havent been able to kneel/squat bend my knee @90degrees or tighter since it happened.  Hoping for a good outcome no arguing with the doc for me, want the best outcome 

[squonk 41,110]

Most of the time they just trim the torn piece out. Most of the meniscus in my left knee is gone now. At night my knee feels like it's in a vise. I was told the meniscus is usually only repaired if ligament repair is also needed.

[peter lena 8,627]

@prondzy  not making light of it , but a meniscus  is a cake walk compared to a total knee . had the trimming , and the gel shots . also had the very dark grey xray shots , both were shot , had the first one done , kicked butt on that , 3 days in hospital to verify stability and zero infection . then a rehab facility for a week , then home . did the same thing again 6 months later , on the other knee, so I could bring them back just about together. you learn a lot in rehab , even then , I  regularly asked , when the hell is this going to kick in ?  you also learn how to stretch and hold your gain . glad your rehab starts soon , you can do it . get better , pete 

[peter lena 8,627]

@prondzy  glad you mentioned kneeling , what you want to kneel on ,  YOU CAN DO THIS , get some boat seat foam cushion , its very dense , it totally supports your knee . the first time i used it , my pain fear was gone . check at a local boat supply house , they usually have bins of foam for seat make ups . once you try it , the  total comfort support just feels wonderful. kick butt, pete 

[prondzy 3,881]

35 minutes ago, squonk said:

Most of the time they just trim the torn piece out. Most of the meniscus in my left knee is gone now. At night my knee feels like it's in a vise. I was told the meniscus is usually only repaired if ligament repair is also needed.

Doc said they used to cut it out and send you in your way they've figured out that causes Arthritis in that knee. They look at age and quality of life. And at 34 years old i need to get the most out of it i can. So repair it is.

[Pullstart 62,867]

What did you do to tear it Mike?  I’ve been spending quite a bit of time bending into engine compartments lately and the hyper extension on my left knee has been bugging me.  

[squonk 41,110]

• My knee popped while kneeling on a 2" pad while wearing gel knee pads. Sounded like a gun going off.

[prondzy 3,881]

39 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

What did you do to tear it Mike?  I’ve been spending quite a bit of time bending into engine compartments lately and the hyper extension on my left knee has been bugging me.  

 

23 minutes ago, squonk said:

• My knee popped while kneeling on a 2" pad while wearing gel knee pads. Sounded like a gun going off.

Was sitting side saddle on the floor working under the dash of a car. Shifted my weight to the left and stood in one motion from a fetal position. Same as sqounk. Biggest pop/snap I've ever heard in my life come out of the human body. In my right knee . Couldnt squat or kneel on it from that point forward. Had to bend over at the waist or lay on the floor do get work done down low.

[Pullstart 62,867]

I got up from under the bumper of the last truck, with a twist and a side load on my left knee.  It gave me a quick pop I wasn’t used too too.  No more goofy loads on it.  Until next weekend at least!  I just booked a weekend skiing and snowboarding with my girls up north.  Gotta keep ‘em moving!

[Achto 27,571]

Take care of your self & listen to the doc Mike. Really hope it all heals up well.

[squonk 41,110]

My doc told me I have the knee  of a 20 yr old. I told him to give it back to him. I think he was trying to cover his butt.

[oliver2-44 9,750]

Wishing you a fast recovery.

Seems like a lot of us working guys have had knee issues.

I tore my right meniscus when I was 20 crawling into a horizontal Clearwell tank hatch during power plant construction days.. Half in had to roll over to get on a ladder and it popped.  It swelled up but went down and seemed OK for a year.  Six weeks before my wedding It locked up and wouldn't bend.  My wife just knew I would be going down the isle on crutches, but I rehabbed and got rid of them just in time.   Dr went in with scope and cut it out, he was the lead Knee Dr for the UT football team.  1981 was early days of orthoscopic surgery. Thankfully not a huge tear.  

[lynnmor 7,306]

Two years ago I had both knees replaced six weeks apart, no fun.  While you had a different surgery, it is important to closely follow the rehab instructions.  The issue is that scar tissue builds up limiting range of motion, if that isn't pushed back the range will be limited.  I hate taking pain killing dope, but if that is what it takes to keep the rehab going just make it happen.  I wish you the best. 

[WHX?? 48,815]

Well the bright side Mike should be good to go for show season. Thing that would kill me is just sittin around and not being able to get out in the shop. 

[peter lena 8,627]

@prondzy   , my latest rehab is on ROTATOR CUFFS , can't do the  heavier angular stuff any more , installed screw in pull areas , in my sheds to use a  gear chain pull assist . makes things much easier . the rotator  rehab , is very precise and  direct on the range of the shoulder joint area . basically heating , and reversing the pull point , with holding leverage . since I started , shoulders feel much better , and regularly use pull cord rollers and stretch straps , at direct  angle areas. maybe  some grease fittings and lucas grease  ?  only kidding . pete  

[dclarke 4,032]

Hate to hear this, Mike.  Hang in there and keep us updated on your progress. 

[Pullstart 62,867]

1 hour ago, peter lena said:

@prondzy   , my latest rehab is on ROTATOR CUFFS , can't do the  heavier angular stuff any more , installed screw in pull areas , in my sheds to use a  gear chain pull assist . makes things much easier . the rotator  rehab , is very precise and  direct on the range of the shoulder joint area . basically heating , and reversing the pull point , with holding leverage . since I started , shoulders feel much better , and regularly use pull cord rollers and stretch straps , at direct  angle areas. maybe  some grease fittings and lucas grease  ?  only kidding . pete  

keep it greasy

[Terry M-(Moderator) 2,175]

Hey Mike, I hope you heal up well and quickly!

And like WHX kind of said… it’s better to be out of action now than during tractor show season.

Take Care!!

[Tractorhead 9,064]

23 hours ago, prondzy said:

Well im 1 week in on my knee surgery. And bored out of my mind. Doc says at least 7 more weeks before i can return to work. I tore my Meniscus back at the end of January finally got in and stitched it up on Monday the 21st. Everythimg went well in surgery, Im glad to be headed in the right direction of healing now. Long slow painful process. Crutches, and driving restricitions and pain killers keep me planted in my chair most of the day.

 

It‘s a long way to heal completeley, stepson has a knee surgery 2 years ago.

killed his meniscus while soccer playing.

it needs 3 months until he can use it as before.

 

Prayers sent to you for a quick convalescents