Torn meniscus surgery and recovery

[toodycat]

DH and I have to make an unexpected trip to Florida for a family member's party in late January. Our event is situated close enough to WDW that we decided to make it into a Disney vacation and celebration of my birthday in late January. However, I just tore my meniscus and can't put any weight on my knee. The doctor says it is a complex tear that will require arthroscopic surgery. At best, I could schedule the surgery for mid to late December. The doctor says recovery time is minimal and I will be able to put weight on my knee immediately after the procedure. DH is concerned that while being able to walk is one thing, walking 3-5 miles a day at a theme park is another. If you've had this surgery, how long did it take before you could walk at your normal pace without pain? Was it more than 3-4 weeks? I don't want to use a wheelchair or ECV. I'd appreciate your advice. Thanks!

 

[anonymousegirl]

I recommend speaking to your doctor about this. I am inclined, though, to agree with your husband. Minimal walking at home is not the same thing as days of 3-8 miles of walking on consecutive days. Why don't you want to use a wheelchair or ECV? I normally don't need a mobility aid, but twice at WDW, I had to rent an ECV for the day because of asthma attacks that affected my stamina. No one cared. No one looked twice at me. If you need it, you will be so much happier (and probably safer in terms of full recovery) but using one.

 

[toodycat]

Thanks. I am going to talk to my doctor and ask what he recommends. I know an ECV is not unusual at WDW, but I think it would make me nervous. When my parents had them, I was constantly worried that they might have a toddler jump out in front of them or something.

 

[gap2368]

A wheel chair might be better for you

1 you can use it as a walker so that you can take some weight off you knee

2 your DH can push you if need be

3 you will not have to worry too much about running into people. ( I think wheel chair are a little easer then ECV )

4 sounds like you will be going during a slower time of year this should help getting a round of you do need a mobility device.

 

[jenniy122]

I don't want to be a debbie downer, but the excitement of being in Disney could cause you to overexert yourself without even realizing it, and on a recovering knee that could lead to permanent damage. Since this trip was unexpected anyways, what about a relaxing resort hopping trip with special meals or shopping outside the parks to celebrate?

 

[toodycat]

I don't want to be a debbie downer, but the excitement of being in Disney could cause you to overexert yourself without even realizing it, and on a recovering knee that could lead to permanent damage. Since this trip was unexpected anyways, what about a relaxing resort hopping trip with special meals or shopping outside the parks to celebrate?

We've already purchased park passes and haven't got any vacation time for WDW in our 2017 schedule or budget until September, if we don't go this January. So ---not that I don't love resort hopping and Disney Springs---but if I'm spending money for airfare and hotel already, I would rather see the parks. I did purchase trip insurance, so I can get a refund.

 

[gap2368]

I don't want to be a debbie downer, but the excitement of being in Disney could cause you to overexert yourself without even realizing it, and on a recovering knee that could lead to permanent damage. Since this trip was unexpected anyways, what about a relaxing resort hopping trip with special meals or shopping outside the parks to celebrate?

just tooo add to this but I know someone in college that did not listen to his dr during recover ( and his injury was worst then you as he was hit by a train) but he did not listen to his dr when they told him to stay off his leg and he ended up hurting it more and it got to the point where they could do nothing but take is knee out and they have to put a roe in his lang and now he can not bend it at all. so with what ever you do make sure you do not over do it take a few minutes a few time a day to really think how dose my knee really feel ( I know I have been too into my Disney trips to realize that I was in pain until I was in way to much pain to really do any thing and it really put a damper on my trips)

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I was able to walk without crutches 3 days after my surgery. Keep in mind you will be in a knee brace for several weeks-6-8 weeks. So walking normal will take some time. You would be better off with a ECV

 

[toodycat]

I was able to walk without crutches 3 days after my surgery. Keep in mind you will be in a knee brace for several weeks-6-8 weeks. So walking normal will take some time. You would be better off with a ECV

Thanks. I did not realize that I would need the brace for that long, but being able to walk 3 days after surgery sounds good

 

[gap2368]

if you do decide to go with an ECV you do not have to use it all the time. you can ask a CM where you can park it and walk around some in the area.

 

[anonymousegirl]

Thanks. I am going to talk to my doctor and ask what he recommends. I know an ECV is not unusual at WDW, but I think it would make me nervous. When my parents had them, I was constantly worried that they might have a toddler jump out in front of them or something.

Understand about the unpredictability of kids! You might be happier in a wheelchair then. That goes much slower and your pusher can stop quickly if necessary. Many people recommend the pusher wear bike gloves to cushion the hands if they are not used to pushing a wheelchair.

 

[2tinkerbell]

I had meniscus surgery on both knees at the same time. They wheeled me out of the surgical center, I stood up, got into the car and walked into my house. I didn't have a brace at all. I had surgery on a Friday and was back to work by that Wednesday. While I could walk, I am not sure I could do "theme park" type walking. I wouldn't hesitate at all to get an ECV.

The only thing that I caution you about is doing the exercises hourly like they recommend so that you don't get blood clots. Also, I would think a toilet extender would be great for the first couple of weeks.

 

[North of Mouse]

I was able to walk without crutches 3 days after my surgery. Keep in mind you will be in a knee brace for several weeks-6-8 weeks. So walking normal will take some time. You would be better off with a ECV

Thanks. I did not realize that I would need the brace for that long, but being able to walk 3 days after surgery sounds good

My dh had surgery for his torn meniscus a year ago.
He never needed crutches or a brace. He walked from the car into our house from the hospital. His Dr. told him to listen to his body and take short little walks and rest a lot - not to cause any pain.
He started therapy within a few days, was very considerate of his knee and did fine. Doubt seriously he would have tried Disney in a month though.

 

[toodycat]

I'm appreciating all this feedback. It sounds as though I'll be recovered enough to go back to work shortly after the surgery, but not to go on vacation.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I've had the surgery. And I need another one.

It will be scheduled after I return from Disney.

There is no way that I would try walking around the park right after the surgery.

A scooter isn't that bad.

 

[maxiesmom]

Thanks. I did not realize that I would need the brace for that long, but being able to walk 3 days after surgery sounds good

There is walking, and then there is walking. I had that surgery years ago, and while I could put weight on it right away, serious walking took quite a while. More than 3 to 4 weeks for sure. And even while walking I had to use a crutch for balance. Definitely consider renting a scooter. You do not want to over-do and end up worse off than before the surgery.

 

[maxiesmom]

Fwiw a co-worker had knee surgery a few months ago, and refused to take it easy as she was supposed to when she came back to work. And now she complains about how her knee hurts on pretty much a daily basis. You need to let it heal and not over-work it.

 

[toodycat]

Thanks so much to everyone for all the good advice. At this point, I've reserved a room in St. Pete where the rest of DH's family is staying for the party, so that if we decide to skip WDW and just go to the affair, we can. (I'm having a tough time thinking about cancelling at the YC. I have always wanted to stay there.)We still have our park passes, so maybe I will just put the whole Disney visit on hold until fall. We'll have some free time then, assuming DH's work doesn't amp up too intensely. By September, my knee should be ready to walk, I hope. I know that I could just go and use a scooter or wheelchair. But, the whole ECV thing makes me anxious and DH has a bad arm and doesn't think he could push my wheelchair for a whole day. Plus, we aren't only celebrating my birthday. We are also celebrating the end of my cancer treatment, something I don't want to do while I'm in any kind of pain. I want to be celebrating in a happy, healthy body.No one on this board or among my friends has said "What the heck, try walking around the parks," so that tells me it's not a good idea. Everyone has been cautioning me not to do too much too soon, to make sure I do my exercises and to attend P/T regularly. My personal trainer just called to tell to be careful and not rush back to activity because I could really hurt myself. The universe's message is disappointing, but I hear it.

 

[toodycat]

Under the heading of More Reasons to Postpone Our Trip, I received a letter from Disney today, warning that our visit to the YC could be disrupted by construction noise and obstructions.

 

[mamabunny]

Having stayed at WL during that construction (which is still ongoing), I can tell you from experience that it only impacts Resort guests from about 9 am to about 5 pm. And not every room is impacted; many rooms at the Resort won't even be aware that there is anything going on. Even if your window faces a HUGE construction site? You are still at Disney World! Go out and have fun at the Parks and Disney Springs!

I know it's overwhelming - I blew out my knee at the age of 14, and more than 40 years ago I had extensive surgery to rebuild my knee, with almost a dozen surgeries total since (just on that knee). That's not my only health issue, but I wanted you know that I understand about knees, and surgery...

The message you hear from the universe is "don't go". The message *I* hear is: Go, have fun, celebrate - and hop on that ECV and wave at everyone like the visiting Princess you are!!! Use the tools at your disposal to have fun and spend time at one of your favorite places!

The ECV is just a tool - like a hearing aid for someone who can't hear, or glasses for someone who can't see - that you will use during your trip at WDW to help your knee heal, and have the best possible outcome. I view it as a compromise with very little downside!

I know it's scary to contemplate using an ECV for the first time, but you have already seen family use one - and survive! Do I wish I could go to WDW and not use my ECV? Yes! Sure! But if I stayed away from WDW just because I had to use an ECV, I would never go again.

Using an ECV for one trip - for a medically necessary condition - will be different. But, speaking from experience, I know you will be glad you took a deep breath, and jumped on that ECV. Go, and have fun! Celebrate everything you can, and act your shoe size, and not your age!

And then come back and give us your trip report!