Finally know what my knee problem is (maybe)

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I visited the orthopedic surgeon on Thursday and it sounds like I might finally know what is wrong with my knee. He said that he thinks I have plica syndrome (which I had never heard of). Apparently you cannot see it on an MRI unless the plica is very big or it has started to wear away the cartilage, and it is common in active women. This would explain why it started when I was performing for Disney and why the MRI came up negative. It mimics cartilage tears, so it would also explain why the trainer at work thought that was what was wrong.

He said they normally try physical therapy for it, but since it has been going on for two years, that ship has probably already sailed and I will need athroscopic surgery. I'm supposed to have an MRI next week to see if it can be confirmed (if they can see it or cartilage wear) and to rule out any other possible causes, although that seems to be a formality at this point.

The one sad part is that there is a good possibility that I will have to miss out on my Disney trip to have the surgery if that is indeed the route we take. I am taking summer classes for grad school, and my parents don't want me missing any class. I'm hoping that I can have it on a friday and then be able to be back in class on Monday. Has anybody had experience with this type of thing before? Is that a reasonable estimate on how long it will take me to recover enough to sit in a desk and do nothing?

 

[tazdev3225]

I've had 4 or 5 arthroscopic surgeries on my knee. They didn't even give me crutches after the last two. It's bad for a day or two as far as pain goes but I have been up on my feet almost immediately after each, even drove my car to pick up food for dinner a day after the surgery. I have to have general anesthesia so it does make my first day tough. Ask your dr what he wants but a thurs or fri surgery should have you on your feet by monday. good luck with it.

 

[twinmum]

Hello! I noticed your name on this thread and remember your lovely posts on some of the Wish Trip threads. We are a Wish family awaiting our dates...

In the meantime, let me add that I have also had arthroscopic surgery for torn ACL and a lot of other gunk going on in my right knee. After many months of painful walking & physio, my knee doc determined that surgery was the fix. I wanted it done before we moved to much more exciting measures to get pregnant (after 6 yearw of fertility treatments, this is what we called IVF with donor egg!). Good thing...we have twins!

All I can say is...WOW! I hadn't realized how different pain-free walking felt!

Surgery was on Friday, I felt ikcy from general anaesthesia that day, then walked to the end of the block (cautiously) the next day. By Monday, I was back at work (a sedentary job), a little tired but feeling increasingly confident about the knee. It was such a relief!!!

But remember: DO THE PHYSIO. STRENGTHEN ALL AROUND THE KNEE.

And...don't cancel that trip unless you really think you have to!

 

[KPeveler]

When I had scope on my knee 8 yrs ago (and the technique has improved
since then), I was in class the very next day. If you schedule it for a
thurs, you may miss 1 or 2 days of class, but that is the most I would
expect. Remember to DO WHAT THE DR SAYS! I didn't (stopped using
crutches too soon, didn't do all my PT, etc), and now I have scar tissue
that still causes problems. If I hadnt been 15 and stupid, perhaps my
knee would behave now.

Also, go to disney and use an ECV/wheelchair this time, even if it is
post surgery. Generally they say no heavy activity for 6 weeks, and
disney counts as heavy activity!!!