Torn meniscus!

[Belle'sFan]

Four weeks from our trip and my DM has a knee with a torn meniscus. Surgery on 2/20, trip on 3/25. She says it is plenty of time to heal, I'm not so sure. DM is 75. Anyone go through this?

 

[Smile&Nod]

Last spring I had surgery mid March for a torn meniscus and went to the world late April - I rented a scooter from Apple scooter and had it delivered to the hotel. I would not try it without a scooter or wheelchair. What they don't tell you is that it takes a LONG time to get better - yes she will be in fine shape for normal everyday walking levels by the time you go but not for the amount of walking at Disney. There is no point pushing it either - she'll just end up in pain. I found the scooter very easy to use. Even managed to get it on the busses a few times! Highly recommend renting offsite so you have the scooter to get to and from park entrances. Plus the cost is way better. I spent about $200 and it was well worth it.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

2005 (I think, I may be off a year)-- had a meniscus tear for years (based on ongoing symptoms). Trained for a marathon and hurt it worse. Surgery in late October. Ran/walk half marathon on January. My PT was aggressive with that in mind. And I still iced after training and after the event itself. My body freaks from trauma, other recoveries from other people may be more swift. My leg was quite stiff and I think I was on crutches for 2 weeks. I couldn't pedal a single revolution on the exercise bike for about 3 PT days. But, by the 2 be or 3rd week post op, my first walk on the treadmill--at therapy pace, was faster than what I could do pre-surgery when my knee was injured. So even in recovery, after the slow start, I was at pre-surgical ability rather quickly.

I would make sure she has a means to ice his knee if needed, even as just preventative maintenance.

ETA: my apologies, I didn't realize this was mom. I would second the scooter. I was just sharing my story on recovery and did not pay attention to whom you were speaking about. I was just trying to show that your trip would be fine. Sorry for being flighty.

 

[ptisme]

Because your mom is 75, I would really recommend a scooter. A younger person with aggressive PT could possibly do it but not someone 75 unless they heal really well.

I am a PT and see these injuries and surgeries all the time. She will most likely be fine for walking around the house and doing normal daily activities but Disney is at least 10 miles a day if not more. That is way too much that soon after surgery. The scooter is very easy to use (just practice before going to the parks - especially backwards). It is cheaper to rent offsite than onsite (like $75. a day onsite).

Have fun and good luck!

 

[Belle'sFan]

Thanks everyone! My Mom is a real go-getter; nothing keeps her down! She will not go for a scooter - already asked. Ditto for a wheelchair. My worry is she will not want to rest. I'm going to plan more breaks, but will have yo disguise them so she doesn't catch on. Luckily we will be at WL and MK is her favorite, so it's close enough to go back to ice her knee mid day. The only way to get her to rest is if I say I'm tired. Maybe I'll have to fake a foot injury and walk slow. LOL

 

[M5ward]

Maybe you're mom will realize that her recovery after surgery is slower than she anticipated. I.had surgery for a torn meniscus in September, 2006. I was very dedicated to my PT and to a home regimen to strengthen and heal my knee. I walked...a lot...to prepare for a January, 2007, trip...three months post-surgery. I was very careful on the trip to not overdo it, to stop and rest frequently, and to ice my knee at least twice a day. I was 60 when I had the surgery, so significantly younger than your MIL...I could NOT have done the amount of walking that Disney requires a month after surgery. In all honesty, my knee did not feel normal for at least six months after the procedure...I thought it was never going to be right again
Unless your MIL's tear is very, very minor, I would anticipate having to have some kind of mobility aid available to her.

 

[fauntleroy53]

Had meniscus surgery on 12/19.
DH & I went to WDW 2/2-2/10,yep, just got back.
I am 60.Soooo, my PT loaned me this sci-fi looking rubber knee brace. It's not very big, kinda light and is adjustable with Velcro on the sides. Helped ALOT keeping my knee from hurting.
Took a lot of breaks, trying no long stretches of walking. Always iced my knee in the late afternoon back in our room ( WL). I think that helped a lot. It still got a little swollen on more active days,but icing it and lots of breaks during the day will help.

 

[vcgirl925]

My husband had surgery on his medial meniscus before Christmas and he's still not great. He was in great shape and only 36. He has physical therapy three times a week and still has a limp.

 

[Belle'sFan]

I'll have to get more info from her Dr. I'm not sure the extent of the injury. She told him she was going to Disney next month and he thought it would be OK, but maybe he doesn't know much about Disney.

 

[perkinsrose]

We did Disney 4 weeks after surgery (meniscus repair --not removal--, ACL and a major complication afterward). DH was under 40 and very active. It was difficult for him not to be the FP runner.

We rented a wheelchair offsite (would need it for park to resort, etc.). It was waiting when we checked into our resort. I also bought from ebay a special bag that hooks to back of wheelchair that holds crutches so that he could get up now and then. (though he was restricted to 50 % weight on his one knee at that point post surgery and we did have to push him most of day)

DH was sure he would be fine by the trip and hopefully your mom will be but DH had much less mobility that he would have liked. Our trip was fine anyway--just different that years past

 

[perkinsrose]

oops