Anyone had their knee scoped?

[ernie_h]

I'm going to have to have my left knee scoped to repair a medial meniscus tear, so I'm trying to figure out when to do it so I don't lose too much riding time. Supposed to be two weeks on crutches, then???? Anyone here had this surgery? How long was it before you could be on your bike again (medical advice notwithstanding)?? Choices are end of August (when it's bloody hot down here, though I really don't mind riding in 100 degree weather) or end of November (when it's still pretty good riding season here, just a little cooler).

[Mike7202]

I had a knee scop to repair a lateral meniscus tear. the only two things of advice i have are ...when they say do not walk on it the day of your surgery they mean it. my dr injected a local just as he was finishing up so when i woke up I felt great. got home hobbled around on my bum leg because it felt so great. the next morning was a different story.
the other thing is to do your rehab...all of your rehab. and then do a little more rehab. I think i was only on crutches for just over a week and by 2 weeks was walking on it but no weaight bearing activities....like holding up a bike at a stoplight. i would guess about three-four weeks with Dr permission

[ernie_h]

Thanks Mike. Yep, I'm the first one (OK second, you were first) to get out their and work through it.......and suffer the consequences. Doesn't sound too bad (bad enough, though) assuming a normal course of recovery and greater reliance of one's right leg at a stop ['course I'm toast if my wife sees this post]

[arizonawarrior]

Each case can have little differences so just do exactly what they tell you for as long as they say to do it, especially those things that progress in a schedule of activity levels. Its smart to make the doctor (and later the therapist) sit down and discuss it all with you, not standing in a hallway with half-a-foot in another patient's room, because its easy to mis-understand.

[jpwarrior]

How old are you? When did the injury occour and what is your disability now? What physical condition are you in (other then your bad knee)? How much cartilage is being removed? These all factor into your recovery. Follow the physicians instructions to the letter. My knee, like Mike's was something entirely different the second and third day. I didn't take pain meds (can't tolerate the nausea) so it lasted for the better part of a week. I was up and about hobbling around a few days later and within two weeks was almost walking normally. I couldn't do much more however. Personally I wouldn't recommend riding until you get full range of motion and are able to bear weight with your knees bent. You'll be surprised how quickly muscle mass and strength go away. I tore mine up and didn't have surgery until 2 months later (workers comp BS), needless to say mine was about 1/3 smaller then the uninjured knee when it was operated on. I didn't ride for two months. If I were you, I'd get it done ASAP, then you'll have time to recover when riding becomes much more enjoyable.

[ernie_h]

It's a weird thing....I can do bending things w/ no problems....squats, lunges, etc.....but there's always a twinge...sometimes more, sometimes less...... right now [the tear was confirmed by MRI]. However, if I run or even jog a little.......it will become seriously inflamed (aggravated).......so it's that downward force that really gets it going. Had it injected the last time, but that option is gone since it's contraindicated (multiple injections apparently lead to other problems). It's not going away, so I'm fortunate in the sense that I can do things as long as I remember not to run/jog or do something that places similar pressure on the joint....gives me a little time within which to have the surgery....so long as I remember what not to do [as a member of the "older (by just a little ) school".....the 50+ group......I tend follow the "if it hurts to do X, don't do X"....drives my wife nuts, as she was an ICU nurse for a long time]. That said, I do appreciate....and will try to follow.... the advice of y'all who ride and have been through this before....no doubt you were in the same boat.....want to get back on the bike ASAP, but don't want to skrew things up by doing things that will delay that date.

[shoban]

Had mine done seven years ago, when 46. Was out of commission for a week, followed doctors advice on rehab, took pain meds religiously, and was riding again in a couple of weeks. It depends on how bad the tear is, mine was "trimmed out", not sewn back together. seven years later it is 95% of normal, or as I look at it, 100% of the new normal....

[LuvMyWarrior]

I had both of mine at the same time. They couldn't repair them so we just removed them. There wasn't alot of pain. It was difficult getting off the couch or getting out of bed. Your DR. will fill your knee with a local after surgery. It last about 6 hours so at the 4 hour mark I would take a pain pill because if you let the pain build up and then decide to take something, It won't work. Your knee will look swollen but it is actually fuild that they put in there. The more you move your knee the faster the fuild will work its way out of the joint.


Hope surgery goes good.

I would say 3 weeks no riding

[mr_noize2]

Like everyone said, follow doctors instructions. I recommend that you request a device that acts as a ice pack for your knee. It looks like a little cooler that attaches to a sleeve around the knee. It keeps the knee cold, and reduces swelling. This will aid you in rehab and recovery.

I would wait until winter, if possible. But I would not put it off and deal with pain and discomfort. You could be doing additional damage to yourself by waiting.

[Midnight Ray]

i had both knees done for torn meniscus from playing soft ball in my younger years one in 1995 and one in 2000 you will normally be able to do light duty things like walking in two to four weeks but full recovery to play sports or hold up a 650lb warrior if it should it happen to lean to that side that you had fixed is a good 6 to 8 weeks and physio is key you must do all the DR. tells you and take your time to build up the knee and the surrounding muscle that you will lose and you will lose some while you are healing...