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5 days post partial lateral meniscectomy right knee....

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Harvey15
Harvey15

Hi there, new to the forums.   Am I expecting too much?!   On 31st March had an arthroscopy and a partial lateral meniscectomy in my right knee.  Had a horizontal tear, the torn part was removed.   Have been icing the knee and doing the exercises but it feels conjested - swollen.  Have to really think about how I get up off a chair, step up on a stair etc.   Doctors said two weeks off work which is fine - its the Easter Holidays.  Physio said I'd be off the crutches and walking up and downstairs normally by day 4 or 5... Around the house, I don't use the crutches - when I'm out, I use one.

I can walk up the stairs ok, albeit slowly.  Can't come downstairs normally.

On 2nd April I also had four radiofrequency injections in my back...

Friday I was an emotional wreck - very tearful and felt that my knee pain was much worse.  Realised I had stopped taking the painkillers so I'm back on those and the pain is easing.

I have to drive back to work on 13th which is a week away - with my knee feeling as it does, I don't think I'm ready to try that emergency stop yet - but should I be doing so?   Physio seemed to think I would be back to normal life in a week...

I know we are all different and recovery times vary but patience is not one of my virtues!

How have those of you recovered who have had a similar procedure?   I've read that some have been advised to have much longer off work and that after 2 weeks, some are still not driving and on crutches...

Your thoughts?

Christine

 

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • john041952
    john041952 Harvey15

    Posted

    Had similar op to you - I was walking without crutches after 4 days, but it was a few weeks before I could master stairs properly. I could get up and down them, but needed just one crutch to assist me.

     Maybe I was just lucky, but the only pain  I had was when I swung my lower leg backwards as part of the Physio exercises.This went away after about 10 days  - Apart from that I was more or less pain free. I suppose every one is different. I was driving after about 10 days. I'd suggest seeing your surgeon or doctor is the pain persists.  

  • daveuk321
    daveuk321 Harvey15

    Posted

    Hi Christine

    I had the same operation 3 weeks ago and did not need crutches, was driving after 3 days and walking up and down stairs after the same amount of time ( slowly and carefully )  I still have pain what feels like on top of the kneecap like as if it is very tender, and since the operation I get a lot of clicking/cracking when changing direction, once moving forward the clicking abates. the surgeon had left the hospital before I got a chance to discuss post operation the outcome, but was told by the nurse he had noted that I would need a total knee replacement, I find this at odds to the fact that I cycled thousands of miles last year with no pain and can now move my knee around with no pain although post op it now clicks I will be seeing the surgeon next month to discuss further his notes and try and gain a time frame as to when he suspects the knee will need replacing,as you say we are all different and recovert times and loss of pain can vary from individual to individual, I am 63 years of age so guess it's all starting to wear out good luck with your recovery and wish you a speedy return to full health

    regards

    Dave 

  • Harvey15
    Harvey15

    Posted

    Hi all, just wanted to update you all - 8 weeks post op and all is well - can't kneel but that's a small price to pay for now.

    I found Hydrotherapy so beneficial - just walking in the water and doing some of the exercises without weight baring really helped.  

    I was in a bad place when I posted before - now its ok!

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