skip to main content

The Kitchen Table

Have you had arthroscopic knee surgery?

13 years ago

If so, I need your advice. How quickly can I return to work? My job involves sitting for 80% of the time, with some standing and sitting.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
13 years ago
It depends on the injury, joann. Your doctor will be the only person who can release you for work. Why don't you tell us what your having done so we might compare procedures?
GrammyMyrna
13 years ago
I haven't, but our very best friends have had 5 of them. In fact we were out with them Saturday night, he just completed therapy from his January surgery where he WALKED OUT of the hospital with no crutches. He did the same thing on the last surgery and the one before that. He's a fireman/paramedic, years and years of lifting people played havoc with his knees.

He was recuperating on the couch for about 3 days, but even then, he could get himself around pretty well without much problem. He took one pain med and then Tylenol after that for a couple of days.

From what I've seen of his (and hers) surgeries, you have nothing to worry about! Most of his have been torn meniscus', this last one was some other thing, I'd have to ask him again but the Dr. did say that he's had all he can have, next time it's a full-blown knee replacement!

Hope all goes well for you, Joanne!
Related Discussions
OK. Knee surgery; 10 days and counting
Q
Comments (28)
roselvr, I wonder if your DD has patellar subluxation? My kneecap "popped" to the outside and the knee would give out to the inside. Mine's a combination of repeated twisting injuries, general abuse :-) and a mild congenital defect (the "notch" the kneecap sits in is too shallow) and it, too, looked fine on imaging but it did not function properly under strain. I had arthroscopic surgery in 1990 on the right knee to deepen that notch a tad, adjust some ligaments and build what would eventually become a "collar" of scar tissue to keep my kneecap in place - I can feel that but can't see it. (Just the three eensy little scars from the arthroscopy, which after all this time are just little puckers in the skin. Instead of general anesthesia I had a spinal block and sedation and was happily stoned to the gills for two days afterward! LOL) I'm sure the technology has improved drastically since then, but that knee has never gone kerflooey on me again. Has your daughter had any physical therapy to stabilize the muscles that work the knee? It really can help a great deal, and it's totally non-invasive so it's an excellent place to start. Women are particularly prone to unstable knees simply because of our skeletal anatomy. I was able to avoid surgery on the left knee with physical therapy (the right knee was far worse off, which is why it got the knife and I chose to be much more conservative with the left) at the same time I was having extensive therapy on the right knee (long story). Even after 15 years I find myself doing some of the isometric exercises when waiting at stoplights, out of sheer habit!
...See More
Getting over knee problems without surgery?
Q
Comments (12)
My pain is often hard to figure out, since alot of uninvolved parts react to pain somewhere else, with my fibrmyalgia. The only warning I may have gotten was that my leg started aching at night (which is what I had prior to the meniscus problem). Yes....If I sit or lay down, the pain all goes away, for the most part. I get up, and it starts immediately. I hope its not bone-on-bone pain. You'd think I would have more pain at rest if it was really inflamed. I have had big problems with my foot structure my whole life too. I had surgery on my left foot about 13 years ago, for an arthritis chip in the big toe, and several hammertoes. I had plantar fasciitis alot, because of my tight tendons. After my knee surgery (I think because of my limping), I developed a neuroma in my right foot. I could hardly walk. I got orthotics, and that helped alot. The pain went away completely when it forced my second toe to become a hammertoe. So I'm sure my gait has changed since then, which might be affecting my knee. Also, after my knee surgery I seemed to develop piriformis syndrome.....which eventually went away. Needless to say, I think I was born with an inferior/weak structure. I do know that alot of my tendons/muscles are really tight most of the time. I decided to quit doing my exercises yesterday, thinking it might be hurting it, but my pain got alot worse. So its back to the stretching and strengthening exercises today. Fortunately, I have a cryopak for icing. Another curious thing is that my body seems to fall apart every Fall. This has happened ever since I developed fibromyalgia about 15 years ago. I do take D3 supplements, in the event it has something to do with SAD. I've been to so many docs in my life and I know that not all of them are reasonable troubleshooters. Did your doc immediately realize that yours was the IT band problem? I also think some of the physical therapists know more about some of these things than the docs. Was the doc who diagnosed you an orthopod? Thanks for your help oilpainter.
...See More
Anyone have arthroscopic surgery on their knee?
Q
Comments (5)
i tore my meniscus many years ago. it was sore for a few months, but it gradually got better and i was a young mother and didn't really have the time/desire to schedule ortho appts. certainly within the year i had no pain and full range of motion. over the years i would occasionally(rarely) have sharp pain when the little torn piece would probably get lodged somewhere, but i would give it a day or two and it would work it's way out and be 'fine' again. finally about 4 1/2 yrs ago it became sore and i lost some range of motion. had mri and a ganglion cyst had developed in there too- probably from years of irritation from the tear according to doc. i had arthro surgery to repair tear and remove cyst. i didn't regret having the surgery because my knee had become fairly uncomfortable, but it didn't make me all better by any means. i'm an active person and didn't rest it like i should have, and i had LOTS of residual swelling and soreness for a couple of years post op and still do not have full range of motion. it is much better now 4 yrs after the fact, but i doubt if i will ever be able to run on it. subsequent mris have been alittle inconclusive and i have opted not to have another surgery at this point. it is frustrating tho. i wonder if i should have had an immediate repair of the tear and if it would have been a simple rehab... i don't know. but MOST of the 13+ yrs after i had torn it but before it was repaired were much better than the 4 since...
...See More
My daughter had knee surgery today
Q
Comments (12)
Sending a prayer that all goes well. My first knee operation was on both knees at the same time (not a smart move, as I didn't have a leg to stand on!), but I was in my early 30's, so it went well. The problem was the therapy that followed. They were too aggressive and I ended up re-tearing the meniscus in one knee. Therapy is critical, but it shouldn't be done to the point where it really hurts.
...See More
pekemom
13 years ago
Yes, but there was so much damage in my case I ended up having to get a total knee replacement a few months later. However, my SIL got arthroscopic surgeries done on both knees at once and she was getting around well within a week...
lisa_fla
13 years ago
I had it done for a torn meniscus on a Friday, walked into the house afterwards-took it easy all weekend, and drive the kids to school on Monday. No crutches (borrowed some on Saturday but only used one that day while on heavy meds) or physical therapy needed. I was able to use the bathroom by myself with no assistance and was cleared to shower on Sunday.
wanda_va
13 years ago
I agree that your doctor is the one to tell you how long you need to be off work. My first arthroscopic was on both knees at the same time, so I was on crutches (didn't have a leg to stand on!). I was off work for a week...but I did therapy at home for several weeks. The next arthroscopic was on one knee, and I was off work for about a week. I took care of myself, and could have gone back to work sooner, if it had been necessary.

A lot depends on your physical condition. I was a lot younger (32 the first time, 41 the second time), and in very good health.
joann23456
Original Author
13 years ago
The doctor is not entirely sure of the extent of the injury because I can't have MRIs. They think it's a torn tendon on top of the knee, torn lateral meniscus, and some arthritis that they plan to "clean up."

The surgeon says I'll be able to bear weight within a day or two, and can go back to work as soon as I feel like it. I'm just trying to figure out when I'll feel like it, so I can figure out how many days to clear.

I'm having the surgery in the morning on the Thursday before Easter, so I may take a chance on being good to return to work on the following Monday.

Thanks for the input!

Related Stories

HOUSEKEEPING Another Independence Day: When Kids Can Do Their Laundry

By Alison Hodgson

Set yourself free and give your child a valuable life skill at the same time

DECORATING GUIDES On Trend: Cut It Out With Norwegian Seating

By Mari Richards

You may find these nipped-out chairs extra full of modern style and comfort, thanks to their savvy designs

BATHROOM MAKEOVERS Room of the Day: Bathroom Embraces an Unusual Floor Plan

By Bryan Anthony

This long and narrow master bathroom accentuates the positives

KITCHEN OF THE WEEK Kitchen of the Week: The Calm After the Storm

By Jeannie Matteucci

Ravaged by Hurricane Sandy, a suburban New York kitchen is reborn as a light-filled space with a serene, soothing palette

LIFE We Can Work It Out: Living (and Cleaning) Together

By Alison Hodgson

Run a household without fussing and fighting with these ideas for how to work together on household chores

BATHROOM DESIGN A Designer Shares Her Master-Bathroom Wish List

By Jennifer Ott Design

She's planning her own renovation and daydreaming about what to include. What amenities are must-haves in your remodel or new build?

PETS A Romp Through Pet-Friendly Materials

By Katya Popova

Deceptively durable, these stylish flooring materials and fabrics let you give Fluffy the run of the house

LIFE 21 Things Only People Living With Kids Will Understand

By Mitchell Parker

Strange smells, crowded beds, ruined furniture — here’s what cohabiting with little monsters really feels like

LIVING ROOMS Drop In on a Hot Comeback With a Sunken Living Room

By Mitchell Parker

Take the plunge into a new kind of practicality with an interior design feature that has a rich history

INSIDE HOUZZ Decorating Trends: A New Houzz Survey Shows What Homeowners Want

By Mitchell Parker

Is the TV gaining or losing ground? Are women or men trendier? Find out and learn more about people’s decorating plans right here

Sponsored

More Discussions

Lettuce and salad greens avoidance?

162

Friday/Weekend Quiz

9

Weekend Music - Looking Up

37

I'll show you mine/ysmy - Su 8/9/26

20

Sunday Brain Game

11