Arthroscopy

roborali

roborali

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I suppose it is in a similar vein (sp) to Jimi's Carpal Tunnel Syndrome thread.

I had a motorbike accident at the end of July which meant that the cartilage in my right knee is fairly mashed. It prevents me fully bending or extending the knee joint.

I am booked in to have an arthroscopy (key hole surgery) next tuesday and I am told that they will 'have a look around and probably remove some cartilage'.

Has anyone on this forum had similar? How long was it until you were able to climb over the guardrails on your boat? I hate being so inactive and would welcome any advice or info you could give?

Thank you in advance-Rob
 
Mrs Mate says it took her around 6 weeks to be up and normal again. Being a lady of a certain age and built for comfort not speed (Mrs Mate that is) you could probably do better. Before I get slaughtered by indignant females, Mrs Mate herself kindly dictated the last bit!

Both of us wish you good luck for a speedy recovery.
 
Not the same but had bit of cartiledge trouble last year ... no matter what .. take glucasamine, it really made a big difference to me
 
I had the same procedure about 4 years ago. Turned up at the hospital first thing in the morning, sat about until about 1130, preop med, taken through at 1200 and back in the ward at 1300. Ate lunch ( never miss it ), and was taken home at 1600. Was advised to keep leg straight for 24 hours and to walk only small distances for about 2 weeks. I took a taxi from the station to my work, a distance I usually walk. You'll soon know if you overdo it as it'll probably start swelling. Never had a problem since, including weekly Scottish dancing. Mind you that was what caused it in the first place.
I'd be wary of sailing for the first 2 weeks as even sitting in the cockpit while sailing to windward with your legs braced against the other side can put a strain on your knees. Good luck and hope it all goes well.
 
Thanks everyone for the wishes of luck and Colin for the thread link. All very useful bits of information. I've been asked to be in for 7am so hopefully i'll be able to go home later in the day.

I was expecting to go in as an outpatient but the letter arrived with an info guide for inpatients. I phoned the clinic and they were unsure whether it would be a GA or local so i'll just have to wait and see.

I guess a lot of the result is down to me Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation, using anti-inflamatory pain relief, sensible self-physio exercises and a good diet (incl. glucosamine and cod liver oil).

I've could borrow a TENS machine, does anyone know if would help? equally is it true tomatoes can aggravate joint probs?
 
Wife had a general and was kept in overnight.

Next day hospital had suggested I come in and have brekkie with her at the hospital (which was nice of them I thought) and to be there for surgeon's post op check - after check they decided it was fine for her to go. We spent day on the boat in the marina (she would have been fine as a passenger for a light weather sail but not an active part). We both caught a plane that afternoon to fly back to the city where I was doing a contract at the time - she did not need any wheelchair or much other help to hobble around (hospital had said to keep it moving) 'cept I carried the bags!.

The hospital knew we had to fly off to another city after so were probably a bit more careful to keep her there for the post op checks. As I recall we had to go and pick the boat up several months later and the 150 nm sail to its new home was no problem for wife at all.

She still has leg problems related to the same accident (a sports one) but the knee op part was fine even though we didn't do any of the quackery stuff or worry about foods, or other stuff - she was told to just be sure to be active and keep using it, and let it look after its own fixing.

John
 
I had a search to find out more about it but just ended up on "fringe medicine" sites, so I assume that it is not a scientific founded treatment but a psychologically based one?

Did find that it is claimed on the same sites to work for Woofies (and Moggies too).

John
 
Hope it goes well - I've had three knee jobs done over the past 15years, and have always recovered promptly, even to the extent of walking forty miles in four days up and down hill six weeks after op. No parquet laying though! Mildish usage seems to keep them running smoothly and no jogging. Best by far is a good few days of crosscountry skiing to keep them well lubricated - and daily tablespoon of cod liver oil.

Thrall
 
[ QUOTE ]
I've had three knee jobs done over the past 15years

[/ QUOTE ]

The mind instantly pictured a three legged man /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 
not at all, must have missed something back there!

I am willing to read up or try anything that may give me some comfort. Not sure why I asked Jimi as I think he has me on ignore anyhow!
 
OOooooops sorry, missed it. Basically Glucasamine is a supplement made from crushed shellfish and it helps maintain and repair cartiledge. My experience is that I had'nt heard of it until the vet recommended it for our elderly dog, made a big difference to her and I started taking it for my knackered knees when I had problems walking. Now running 20 miles per week so my experience of it is very positive. Bit more than a psychological placebo IMHO.
 
I concede that it would have to be a "bit more than a psychological placebo" to work on you Jimi /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.

Interesting that a vet recommended it - I have to take our woofy to the vet tommorrow. He is doing the tripod walking bit, strained ligament I think, not joint, but in any event will ask her about it too.

John
 
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