knee surgery

saphireSue · #1 (**permalink**) 08-30-2007, 10:38 PM

Posting it early, I'm having arthroscopic on my right knee Oct. 11. I know so of you have mentioned knee problems before. How many of you, have had this done?

Presto · #2 (**permalink**) 08-30-2007, 11:28 PM

Not me (thank G-d), I am however a few months away from having three of my vertebra fused. Good luck!

Mindy · #3 (**permalink**) 08-31-2007, 08:58 AM

I had a complete knee replacement 5 years ago. I had been in terrible pain for about 6 months before deciding to have it. Then waited until the first of May (I was a teacher) before having the surgery. The first year I was not happy with the new knee....though the pain was not nearly as bad as before. BUT now...I am so glad I had it done. I never have any problems at all. Good luck with your surgery!!

Dylan · #4 (**permalink**) 09-04-2007, 01:04 PM

I have had three arthroscopic surgeries on two knees (go figure)

Here is the complete stories from my blog: http://www.dylanreed.org/category/injuries/
It is a collection of posts about all of the injuries I have had(most from clowning)

Long story short(er):

In 2004 I wa having a lot of knee troubles on my left knee, so I went in to see my doc and he referred me to an orthopedic doc. I went and saw him and after wrenching my knee around to ask if it hurt(which it did) and doing a few x rays he stated that most likely I had torn my meniscus. I went in for surgery everything went fine until recovery when we figured out that I am allergic to codeine.

The night of my surgery I had an attack of the horrible itches and had to stop taking all pain killers except alleve. I also had to take a bunch of benydryl to stop the swelling\itchiness.

Basically it sucked. I was back to my old tricks in about 10 days and fully recovered in 3 weeks.

Flash forward to fall 2006. Knees(both of them) still bothering me, many x-rays later and it turns out that due to the physical nature of everything that I do, my muscles\tendons etc had caused my knees to by crooked.

So I had two surgeries in a month, one on each knee, and discovered after the first one that vicodin is also not really my friend. So my third and final surgery I had no post surgery pain meds that I could take.

Other then troubles with meds everything went fine. I am able to do everything I could normally do and was fully recovered in about 6 weeks from the final surgery.

I would say that if your insurance will cover it you should try to get a cold therapy machine. If you want I can get you more info or at least a link to their website.

Basically it is a machine that circulates cold water around your knee while applying pressure. I had it for my last surgery and that knee felt recovered faster then the one that was operated on four weeks prior. They are awesome.

Anyway, good luck and you will be fine. Just make sure you do the physical therapy.

Nettie Belle · #5 (**permalink**) 09-04-2007, 03:09 PM

I haven't had anything done, but my sister did. After the surgery, and being in so much pain, she talked to the doctor and he put her on a very strict diet with lots of vegetables; no gluten (flour), no dairy, and no soy. She changed her whole way of cooking and is now pain free. Her husband eats the same things she does so she doesn't have to fix two dinners.

I think it is an arthritis diet or something. If I were you, I would practice and PERFECT walking on your hands. It will come in very handy.

ibimus · #6 (**permalink**) 09-04-2007, 03:31 PM

My mom went vegan and her arthiritis disappeared completely. It's a wonderful lifestyle!

Willace-the-Clown · #7 (**permalink**) 09-04-2007, 03:37 PM

i can never do that meat taste to good thow i do like fruits & vegis too

SuitcaseSam · #8 (**permalink**) 09-04-2007, 06:21 PM

Hey Sue,
Both my parents have had knee replacements and came out just fine. Will keep you in my prayers for a speedy recovery.

Give them girls a hug from their Uncle Sam

~Sam

saphireSue · #9 (**permalink**) 09-04-2007, 09:18 PM

thanks guys, I'm not expecting to much prob., I was told crutches for 1 wk, then one more week to recover, I lucked up and got the Panther Football Team Dr. so he should be pretty good with knees. And since I do PT myself, I can handle the exercises at home. Bigest worry was trying to sched between gigs I already have, and making sure I have enough time to recover, October is my busiest time.

Fitzwilly · #10 (**permalink**) 09-04-2007, 11:56 PM

Really?! October is your busiest time. We are going to have to talk girl. I need help with my Octobers. Although now that I have drasticly improved my face painting and tweaked a few other skills I'm in better shape than before. But a little knowledge sitting at the foot (or is that knee) of a "Wise One" never hurts. (Wow I managed a couple of groaners that time.)