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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.

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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!
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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.
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Satine, thats what daughters do. Just the fact that you are conscious of making even a brief temporary change in her life shows you would not do anything imposing- it will be fine :) Better there than away from her, alone in your home where she's worrying about you and anxious as to whether you need something. Best of luck with your surgery, hopes are that you come out of recovery feeling better than you went in. One thing about surgical pain if you should even have any following, you know it isn't going to last, its not nearly as tiresome to deal with as the chronic day to day ongoing stuff. Healing pain - almost welcome, you know its going away + plus they scoot you home with a prescription to take care of it. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow!
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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!

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