Boo hoo--knee injury!!! UPDATE---1 week post surgery--cleared for half marathon :)

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Not a happy camper!!!

I am training for the Disney Marathon and have a complex meniscus tear in my knee (one tear--that spread into two tears). The doctor said I can do whatever I want as far as trying either for the full or the half and I am bummed. The half may be okay--the full may be a bit tough. The tear requires arthorscopic (sp?) surgery to repair it.


I am searching high and low for information---has anyone had this and can you tell me about it, your surgery, and your recovery? Thanks!!!!

 

[CinderellaIam]

So sorry to hear that this has happened while you are in training for such an exciting event.

I had arthroscopic surgery on my knee 3 years ago, they were not 100% sure what they would find until they went in there. Turned out my miniscis was shredded and my knee cap was out of the socket (I'm a bit of a klutz).

The surgery itself was a breeze, you can either stay awake with a general anesthetic and watch on the screen what they are doing or sleep through it, I chose to sleep through it thankyouverymuch! I had no desire to see what the inside of my knee looks like! They make two tiny incisions, one on each side of the knee, really tiny, less than half an inch. The insert the apperatis (sp?) which has a camera, knife, etc on the end and the camera guides them and lets them see what the problem is and then they fix it.

When I woke up I as pretty out of it, and didn't feel any pain for several hours, but when those drugs wore off...ooh baby did it hurt! Thank God for pain killers! But it really didn't last long. Within two or three days I was off the crutches and the prescription pain meds. I was sticking to Aleve. Within two weeks I was back driving the car and going to work.

I hope that answered some of your questions, if you want to know more or have any questions don't hesitate to send me a PM.

 

[Morganpics]

I have a breakthrough tear in the back of my left miniscus. Surgery is scheduled for November 15. I'll give you an update after. The surgeon doesn't seem to think it's too big a deal. I'm ready to have my knee be stable again.

 

[nativetxn]

Ouch. I'm sorry to hear about your injury. I've never had arthroscopic surgery. Hope you find the information you need.

Katholyn

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

well -- that was quick!

Orthopedist Appt was on Monday--but pushed to Tuesday due to Hurricane Wilma.

Orthopedist said he could fix everything so that I can still train for Disney. So 24 hours later...I'm all repaired!!!!!

He said everything looks good and the torn portion of the meniscus was removed. He said he removed something else--but no idea what it was. He called it Orthopedic "Preventative" medicine. I'm not sure if he did say that, or if it was the drugs talking...so that will have to wait until I see him again. He said it was something that could cause problems later on.

My leg looks like the Michelin Man. They put in tubes and bladders aroudn the knee--and it hooks up to this REALLY cool contraption--a plug in ice cooler with pump. I get hooked up and it sends ice cold water to the area to help reduce swelling.

First day of PT is tomorrow. The Michelin leg wrappings come off this evening (24 hours later). And I will be on crutches for 3 to 5 days pending my pain tolerance.

I've had 1 darvaset since yesterday and am doing pretty good.

My hubby will be picking me up an exercise bike so that I can get my cardio back. I did my 12 miles last saturday (running)--but no real efforts during the week. I will be subbing cycling for the running for a couple of weeks.

YEAH!

He says I have a healthy knee.

 

[MsDisney23]

Take it easy and do as your told. I hope you get to feeling better soon! Good luck in the race.

 

[Morganpics]

Good luck on your recovery! I'll be checking in to see how it all goes, but you are encouraging to me.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Just another update---

I am cleared for the half marathon at Disney.

I was to do the full--but with Team in Training...I only have 5 more days to submit paperwork.

I am not permitted to run for at least 2 more weeks (which would be 3 weeks post-op) and they cannot clear me for the full confidently without seeing me run.

Be prepared for any quadricep muscle you had to disappear b/c of just 1 day of immobility. I still cannot believe how there is no definition--no nothing while I am squeezing that muscle as hard as I can during my exercise. It just stays flat like you aren't doing anything. They say that it will be 4-6 weeks before any tone comes back.

Workouts are going well--I can now make a full revolution on the exercise bike with the affected leg--and can pedal pretty good--almost good enough for a cardio workout...but not cleared for that yet either. I have been cheating and doing 1 legged pedaling with the non-affected leg. I can do two 15 minute sessions per day--so I can get a 30 minute almost-cardio workout per day.

Hubby was registered for the half anyway--and so we get to run together.

(ETA: I had boo boos in what I typed--and just wanted to say that the PT keeps telling me that everyones knee heals differently)

 

[Morganpics]

Lisa loves Pooh-Glad to hear you are progressing well. Best of luck on your training and the half marathon.

My surgery went well, was out and home 3 hours after. I have had no issues, have not been cleared to do jogging, running, treadmill or bike until after Christmas. I do have other exercises to do for strength and mobility. It is so nice to be able to walk without having my knee give out. It still feels a little "heavy" (best way I can describe it) but not all the time. No pain, except when I forgot and bent down on it Won't do that again anytime soon!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I understand that "heavy" sensation....it's the lack of muscle tone from the surgery . It took a good solid week or two (don't recall--amazing how we forget ). Once that quad muscle begins rebuilding---it will make a huge difference. About 4-5 weeks out is when I began to see muscle tone again.

I forgot and knelt on my knee once (like standing on the knee). That was a mistake to not be repeated.

I began running at 4 weeks out.....so that's timing well with what your doc's said you could do. I had been training already and was given green like to get back to speed when I was able to do so. I had no other problems with my knee, so very limited on the restrictions.

Having a funny pain that I will inquire with the PT tomorrow. I've been assured that unless I get tackled--that any aches and pains are just normal heeling.

Still a ways to go for me though--I did notice when trying to balance on something due to boredom--how very shaky I am now...and I was much more stable before. So that is a sure sign that it isn't all back to normal just yet.

Good luck in your healing!

 

[Morganpics]

Thanks for your reply. It's nice to know what I'm feeling is normal. I've been slacking off in the exercising and I am noticing a difference already. Got to get at it, even though it's the holidays. No excuses! Good luck to you in January!