Meniscus Tear at the World

[PrincessHeart]

I hope this is the right place to post this. I have been dealing with a bum knee for about 8 weeks. I finally went to an orthopedic surgeon and he believes I have a meniscus tear. I am having an MRI and go back next Wednesday for follow up. Everything I have read points to the possibility of surgery and maybe even leading to osteoarthritis (which runs in my family) if the mensicus has to be removed. What I was wondering is if anyone has dealt with this b/c I am going to Disney World in less than a month. Mainly I'm concerned b/c after a normal day of walking my knee HURTS . Are there meds or things like knee braces, shoes that could help with this? Any suggestions or just pixie dust will be awesome. Thanks!

 

[Mickiethepooh]

As far as DW is concerned your best bet is to rent an ECV preferably off site but at the parks is better than no ECV at all. It will make a world of difference to your ability to have a good trip and so whoever you go with will have a better trip as well.

 

[batt01]

HI!
I am in bed right now recovering from surgery to repair my meniscus tear on my right knee!

Actally, my knee started hurting on my last trip to Disney World in May. I have never had to rest while walking in Epcot. I actally took the boats from Italy across the lake because I couldn't manage walking anymore. I was freaked out! The pain got continually worse and the left knee started hurting as well. I was worked up for Rheumatoid Arthritis and had xrays that showed no problem. The Rheumatologist ordered PT which I had a gut feeling would not work. My husband is a radiologist and suggested to my PCP that he order an MRI - in one hour we had a diagnosis of a very clear meniscal tear.

Yes - most likely you will need surgery like I had. My surgery was on Tuesday morning. It lasted 45 minutes and I was asleep the entire time. I would say my pain was about a 6 (1-10) on the day of surgery. I went home and watched tv all day while icing my knee. The next morning (yesterday) was worse, pain about an 8 which is typical for the second day after surgery. Pain pills helped alot yesterday. This morning I woke with almost no pain and am limping w/o the use of my crutches. Yes, it hurts a bit, but I can get around enough to take a shower, answer the door, make a sandwich, etc. I understand that by the weekend I might be well enough to golf! I doubt it seriously, but have talked to people who recovered really quickly.

In any case, I suggust you push to have an MRI - there is really no other way to diagnose this injury. Surgery is supposed to help 100%.

My left knee is scheduled to be done next month. I am a mom of three and having the last two days to be in bed watching tv has actually been really nice.

Good luck and God bless

 

[PrincessHeart]

I had my MRI today, but I won't know anything until Wednesday. I'm sure there is no way to have surgery before our trip. I'm also pretty resistant to a wheelchair or ECV. I'm hoping I can just get meds - like a steriod shot to reduce the inflamation - to get through. I can walk, it just hurts as the day wears on. Thanks, for your replies.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

When I tore my meniscus, it was in August 2000, I didn't have my surgery until December 2000. If the stupid surpervisor hadn't fired me 2 weeks before my surgery, I would have returned to work 2 weeks after surgery.

Most days I didn't have a problem and some days it would hurt so bad I would almost cry. I worked in a doctors office and stood/walked alot. Ask the Orthopedic surgeon if he can inject it with Cortisone, that really helps alot and will last for several weeks. I reinjured my knee last January, had another MRI and it was still intact, so he injected it with cortisone and it finally settled down from all the inflammation. I would also recommend using an ECV so you don't do anymore damage than is already done. I usually only took Tylenol and an anti-inflammatory (Motrin, Aleve).

Suzanne

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I had my MRI today, but I won't know anything until Wednesday. I'm sure there is no way to have surgery before our trip. I'm also pretty resistant to a wheelchair or ECV. I'm hoping I can just get meds - like a steriod shot to reduce the inflamation - to get through. I can walk, it just hurts as the day wears on. Thanks, for your replies.

There are several problems with this.

Effective you have a daily "bank" of energy, as the day goes on the bank lowers, but it recharges overnight.

However, when you are in pain, as the day goes on, you are actually using a lot more of this bank; as a matter of fact you may even be overdrawing it. This means the next day you are starting out with less energy.

Using steroids or pain meds will not alleviate the problem, but may even make it worse in the long run.

Are you aware, for example, that once around the World Showcase Promenade at Epcot is about 1.3 miles, and most people tend to walk about eight miles a day at Disney.

Please ask yourself the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are travelling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!

 

[PrincessHeart]

Cheshire Figment,

Thanks, that list really helped. I guess I am really worried that people will think that I don't really need an ecv and I'm trying to "work" the system. I don't want to make my knee worse by overdoing it.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

I am pretty sure I walked around WDW with a torn ACL and I was fine. I went in to repair a torn meniscus and came out with a huge brace and the recovery room telling me I had torn my ACL again (I've had the reconstruction twice).

I've had bad knees for year...but at WDW, it doesn't seem to bother me that much. I think it's because I'm too excited to be there!

If I were you, I would carry around an OTC pain killer just in case the pain gets back and ice your knee when you get back to the room at night.

I had my meniscus repaired in January of 2003 and less than 3 weeks later I moved to Orlando and started working. Don't worry, you'll be fine.

I'd play it by ear I were you...at least at the beginning. Get a wheelchair or ECV is you need it, but you may suprise yourself and be fine!

Have a great trip!

 

[HarbinsMom]

I can completely sympathize. I've had 2 knee surgeries on my right knee this year. The first was to repair the ACL the second time and the second was a bone graft kinda deal to replace missing cartilage from the weight bearing side of my knee. It has been pure hell. The second surgery I was completely non-weight bearing for 8 weeks. I just started walking with 2 crutches the week before our trip in May/June. I was not allowed to go without promising to use an ECV and even then, when I transferred from chair to ride vehicle, I had to use my crutches. But, there was no way I could have even walked to the monorail on my on. The chair was a lifesafer. I've used a cane since I was 25 (I'm almost 45 now) and believe me I understand the *looks*. I've recently broken down and gotten the Disabled tag for my car and just yesterday an elderly lady looked at me as if I was doing something wrong. It took a long time to realize as long as I'm comfortable, I don't really care what random strangers think. It still bothers me to a degree, but not nearly as much as it used to.
Please, use a chair. I promise you you will be glad you did.

 

[PrincessHeart]

Thanks for your support everyone. I will be taking my doctor's advice on what to do. If he says ecv/wheelchair, I'll do it. Actually, I'll do it if my knee starts hurting too. Today I went shopping at our local outdoor mall - after 2 hours I called it quits b/c my knee was hurting, so I think I am beginning to realize that I'm not superwoman. I just wish I could get in sooner to my specialist. My follow-up isn't until Wednesday - which seems like forever.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Thanks for your support everyone. I will be taking my doctor's advice on what to do. If he says ecv/wheelchair, I'll do it. Actually, I'll do it if my knee starts hurting too. Today I went shopping at our local outdoor mall - after 2 hours I called it quits b/c my knee was hurting, so I think I am beginning to realize that I'm not superwoman. I just wish I could get in sooner to my specialist. My follow-up isn't until Wednesday - which seems like forever.

It's funny...before I had my knee surgery, it took so long to get into the doctor for a visit. Now all I have to do now is call and say that my knee hurts and they get me in right away! LOL!

Good luck, I hope everything works out for you!