knee surgery?

[hardhead]

I had knee surgery to remove a partial torn meniscus (40% of lateral meniscus) in my knee on 3/1/11. Dr. said I would be on crutches for 2 to 4 days and back to 100% after 2 to 4 weeks. I am still on crutches today with lots of pain and its been almost two weeks. We have a trip booked for may 1 to 8 and I'm really debating about cancelling the trip or do you think I'd be okay renting a scooter. Before surgery My knee only hurt when walking about a mile, I wish I would of continued to put up with that.

 

[brat]

You are 13 days out and you have 17 more to improve. Have you talked with your Dr about why you are still in so much pain? Only you can decide if you can still have fun by using a scooter.Things to ask yourself are is your pain level controlled enough by meds that could have fun and not wish you stayed home?Can you enjoy what you planned on doing on this trip?

 

[Jemmi1218]

I had knee surgery 6 days ago (tore my ACL and both minicus). I am here now! rented a scooter from Apple and have had an AMAZING time! I had been couch ridden for 3 weeks and am actually resting my leg MORE now with the scooter than at home, plus the fact i no longer feel helpless is great too. I was thinking about canceling my trip too but decided i needed the trip more on a mental level than anything. i say go and have a blast!!

 

[TXMemaw]

I had the same surgery as you on 11/3/10 and went to Disney World on 12/15/10. I was told pretty much the same as you and was doing pretty well by the time I got to Disney World. You would think that with all the previous trips I've had that I would know how much walking was involved but I way overestimated how much I would be able to walk and ended up back on crutches and by the last two days there, I was having to use a wheelchair. I wish I'd have listened to my DH and rented a scooter. I'd say go but seriously consider getting a scooter to help you get around the parks. I also have osteoarthritis in my knees and had a synvisc injection 3 weeks ago. I'm doing much better now and am very excited about our trip next week. It will be the first time in a year that I can walk around Disney World without having to stop every time I see a bench!

 

[hardhead]

I think I will defintly be going my son is to excited to tell him were not going. Just hoping I'll be well enough to do the rides with him. It is just so frustrating that I am still on the crutches. I saw the Dr on Friday and he told me he wanted me off the crutches in the next day or two. I was doing good this morning however i only walk to my car and my desk. On the way home I stop at the grocery store and thank goodness I had a shopping cart to lean on or I would of been laying on the floor in there I had so much pain.

 

[fitzy819]

I had knee surgery to remove a partial torn meniscus in my knee on 3/1/11. Dr. said I would be on crutches for 2 to 4 days and back to 100% after 2 to 4 weeks. I am still on crutches today with lots of pain and its been almost two weeks. We have a trip booked for may 1 to 8 and I'm really debating about cancelling the trip or do you think I'd be okay renting a scooter. I'm not sure if I could do that though since then my wife will have to handle the I wish I would of continued to put up with that.

I had the same surgery when I was 13 and I was also told I would have a speedy recovery but I took a little longer to recover too. Are they having you do PT?

I still remember my mom insisting that I try going to the grocery store with her about a week after my surgery and I ended up sitting in the Starbucks at the front of the store bawling because I was in so much pain. By the doctors recommendations that should have been fine, but my body just wasn't ready. I would say by 6 weeks post op though I was doing much much better and essentially pain free.

I would say that if it is still a little sore by the time your trip rolls around I would probably rent a scooter so that all of that walking wouldn't put too much extra stress on your knee. If you do decide to walk, icing it each night would be good to keep any potential swelling at bay.

Good luck and enjoy your trip! Hope your knee feels better soon.

 

[hardhead]

I had the same surgery when I was 13 and I was also told I would have a speedy recovery but I took a little longer to recover too. Are they having you do PT?

I still remember my mom insisting that I try going to the grocery store with her about a week after my surgery and I ended up sitting in the Starbucks at the front of the store bawling because I was in so much pain. By the doctors recommendations that should have been fine, but my body just wasn't ready. I would say by 6 weeks post op though I was doing much much better and essentially pain free.

I would say that if it is still a little sore by the time your trip rolls around I would probably rent a scooter so that all of that walking wouldn't put too much extra stress on your knee. If you do decide to walk, icing it each night would be good to keep any potential swelling at bay.

Good luck and enjoy your trip! Hope your knee feels better soon.

Thanks already have a scooter from apple reserved. It's for my mom though shes getting a knee replacement after our trip. So I guess I'll get another so we can race

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Thanks already have a scooter from apple reserved. It's for my mom though shes getting a knee replacement after our trip. So I guess I'll get another so we can race

I'm sorry, but drag racing is not permitted in the Parks. The only exception to this is in MK when you are permitted to race against a trash can.

 

[scottmel]

I had knee surgery for tear in September 2010 and go to Disney August 2011 and seriously I am STILL in PT and still not 100%. I ended up switching PT's after 3 months of my knee continuing to swell, pain while standing as long as it took to iron a shirt and needing a shopping cart to shop! I would say after 5 months after surgery I definately started seein improvement. Able to walk the mall (sore though after I am done and the mall is no Epcot...) but progressing......Just make sure you have a good PT and are relgious with the excercises....your quad needs strengthend and it is amazing how quickly it becomes weak..... Get a scooter, you will be CRAZY if you don'T!!!!

 

[hardhead]

I had knee surgery for tear in September 2010 and go to Disney August 2011 and seriously I am STILL in PT and still not 100%. I ended up switching PT's after 3 months of my knee continuing to swell, pain while standing as long as it took to iron a shirt and needing a shopping cart to shop! I would say after 5 months after surgery I definately started seein improvement. Able to walk the mall (sore though after I am done and the mall is no Epcot...) but progressing......Just make sure you have a good PT and are relgious with the excercises....your quad needs strengthend and it is amazing how quickly it becomes weak..... Get a scooter, you will be CRAZY if you don'T!!!!

Sorry to hear that you've been hurting so long.

Just started pt today. The PT said I did a good job keeping my quad strength. But the only thing she did was try and move my leg when I has holding against her. I've been doing the exercises 3 x a day the dr. told me to do.now I got some more exercises to do. I just going to exercise my leg and give walking a break for a few days.


And I'm going to get the scooter Bring on PUSH

 

[brat]

Hardhead how are you doing today?

 

[hardhead]

Start Phyiscal therapy yesterday and it is feeling much better today. Still not really walking on it yet but I could just want to guve it anither day to heal.

 

[SueM in MN]

Glad to hear it sounds like you are doing better.

You may want to look at these posts on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread:
Post 18: MK attractions and ECVs. Lists which have a difficult step on and which have a wheelchair car
Post 19: Epcot attractions and ECVs. Lists which have a difficult step on and which have a wheelchair car
Post 20: Disney Hollywood Studios and ECVs. Lists which may be difficult to board and which have a wheelchair car
Post 21: Animal Kingdom and ECVs. Lists which may be difficult to board and which have a wheelchair car

Even if you are doing well when you go, it may be helpful to have a list of attractions which have a more difficult step down.
That information can help you to plan your day - for example, if you are better in the morning, you may want to do those attractions toward the beginning of the day. Or you may want to alternate ones with a difficult step with those where you can stay in the ECV.

 

[winniedapooh]

Had a TKR in July and went in Dec--had to use a wheelchair then as I did not know there was something loose and it was not me! Had arthroscopic surgery on 3/8--removed scar tissue adhered to bone and replacement with cement adhered to that. We got here yesterday and I used a wheelchair after an hour of walking. I am still swollen, but am having a blast.

As others have said you are only a few weeks out. As a person who has had in the teens + of knee surgeries, give your self time to heal. Read up and know your options. You will be fine!!