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[sadunbar]

One of my best friends had a hip replacement about a year ago.  There was a mistake made and he ended up with a permanent "drop foot".  I believe a nerve was cut.

Next month he goes in for a knee replacement.  Nervous to say the least, but he has decided to go the Mayo Clinic for the surgery...  I wish him luck!

[sleepybare]

Well I am pushing 62 now and I've had both of my knees done about 5 years ago for severe damage to the meniscus. At this time I literally have no meniscus left in either of my knee joints  leaving the bone to rube on the bone in the knee socket. The actual recovery time after surgery was not as long as I thought it would be and after about 5 days I was off the crutches and walking with a cane and after about a month I was riding again. But as stated before a ice machine is a priceless piece of equipment to get through this. I also agree you should stay off the drugs. Additionally you should start to do light weight training as soon as possible after  you finish with the PE. I found that PE really only helps to regain the flexibility in your knees.  while the weights help to improve the muscle strength around your knee joints and absorb the shock caused by most activities which causes the ongoing pain. I am currently scheduled for knee replacement surgery for one of my knees due to a severe case of osteoarthritis in my knee joints . This can causes some severe pain making it impossible to participate in any type of impact sports and even hard to walk at times.  I have found that it does not seem to bother me when riding. I am putting it the replacement surgery off as long as possible only because i want to keep my own parts for a while longer if I can.   Additionally keep the weight off, I have never been a small guy but I have recently found that any weight gain seems to transfer right to the knee joints compounding the situation.  All of this to say best of luck and have a speedy recovery. Do your PE if only to keep up the flexibility and then continue on with the weights, you will do fine.....

[2PAK]

Sleep,
Good advice on the drugs, PE and weight.  I will follow.  Best of the luck on your surgery.  Take care.

[GregKhougaz]

Sleepy, right on with your comments!  Keep on keepin' on...  Great attitude.

g

[ultrafxr]

Had both my knees scoped in July '06 due to persistent pain from various injuries (and running) over many years.  Like grc said after having it done I wanted to kick myself for putting it off so long.  Guess I was really lucky but no big deal, no meds after first day other than otc pain releivers, no crutches, no cane, just limped around for a few days.  Took a while for the swelling to subside but I have been pain free since and back to full speed in no time and with no PT at all. 

So go for it.  Like my riding bud who is a retired orthopedic surgeon said, it sure can't hurt anything and may buy you some time before needing a knee replacement.

[ccr]

Wish I had done both my knees, cause the one that was done does not hurt at all.  The one I had only a cortezone shot in, hurts all the time now.  It heals quicker than you think.  Takes awhile before you can kneel on it, but that too improves.

[Robmay]

I'm going thru PT right now for my left knee. I am soon to be 44 in a few months. Me knee started locking up when I would squat down. Then I could limp on it for about a good 1-2 minutes and I would feel and here a "pop" and all the pain would be gone immediately. I went to the doctor and he said we had to do 30 days PT before we could do an MRI (insurance) which was fine with me if it helps. After only 2 weeks of 3 times a week to strengthen the muscles around my knee, the swelling has almost gone away (almost) and the knee feels much better. I think I have a torn meniscus from where the pain started but now it is dead on top of my kneecap (tibia?) on both knees. I cannot kneel on my left knee but can on my right.

I have read many of our posts that mention arthritis after surgery. Is the scoping something that eventually leads to arthritis?

[Fired00d]

I'm going thru PT right now for my left knee. I am soon to be 44 in a few months. Me knee started locking up when I would squat down. Then I could limp on it for about a good 1-2 minutes and I would feel and here a "pop" and all the pain would be gone immediately. I went to the doctor and he said we had to do 30 days PT before we could do an MRI (insurance) which was fine with me if it helps. After only 2 weeks of 3 times a week to strengthen the muscles around my knee, the swelling has almost gone away (almost) and the knee feels much better. I think I have a torn meniscus from where the pain started but now it is dead on top of my kneecap (tibia?) on both knees. I cannot kneel on my left knee but can on my right.

I have read many of our posts that mention arthritis after surgery. Is the scoping something that eventually leads to arthritis?

What you are describing (locking) is the same thing mine would do until one day it locked and wouldn't unlock. Mine was torn meniscus, and everytime it would lock it would tear it a little more. The surgery/scoping I don't believe is what leads to the arthritis it is the removing of the meniscus that causes that. The meniscus is like a cushion at the ends of the bones at the joint, and once that is gone you have bone to bone contact that develops into arthritis.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[2PAK]

Robmay,
I'm not a doctor and, a lot more folks on the site are better informed than me regarding this surgery.  Having said that, I had a Partial Meniscetomy on Friday morning as a result of a dislocated knee two years ago. It was successful and I'll write about it tomorrow in a little more detail.  Also, tomorrow I take off the bandages and take my first full shower    I havent used the Oxycotin pain killers since Saturday morning so I am off them as well. At this point I have no pain and I never used the crutches.

Many of my previous symtoms are somewhat differant than yours and some are similar but that's not the point I'm trying to make.  After two years of PT and pain, Friday was the day for me to have the surgeon do the repair.  I'm now glad i did.    I should have done it two years ago.  Your ten years younger than me but I imagine your in for limited improvement with PT for the long term.

You're going to have the arthritis no matter what but you'd have it even if you dont have the surgery.  Go through the hoops and do the surgery so we can fly down the freeway togehter on our CVO's.  Cheers!

[sportygordy]

I have read many of our posts that mention arthritis after surgery. Is the scoping something that eventually leads to arthritis?

Yes, Yes, Yes. Most people i talk to having meniscus surgery has developed arthritis in some form. And my doctor even admits arthritis is caused by an unsuccessful surgery. I would rather put up with the pain i had with a torn meniscus then i am having with arthritis. It's a total bitch, and will turn you into a Tylenol junkie in no time.

[sportygordy]

I hate the rainy season,, man alive, it drives my knee into major pain. I can predict rain every time just by the pain level.. It's raining today 

[RJ749]

2PAK, how is the recovery going?

Hope all is well and wish you a speedy recovery.

[grc]

..........................................
I have read many of our posts that mention arthritis after surgery. Is the scoping something that eventually leads to arthritis?

As 'd00d said, the arthritis isn't the result of the surgery, it's the result of the damage done before and after the surgery.  In my case I had let the damage go on for so long that the bones looked like the surface of the moon where they rubbed together.  The doctor I had was meticulous about his work and spent a great deal of time smoothing the bones as well as trimming and repairing what was left of the meniscus, and I managed to go nearly pain free for almost twelve years.  I've recently started noticing a little more pain, but nothing bad enough to even take a Tylenol.

I'm not certain how you can find this information, but it is my understanding that folks are working on things like cartilage transplants and/or methods to grow your own after yours has been damaged.  You might want to talk to some orthopaedic surgeons about the latest and greatest advances.

Jerry

[sportygordy]

I'm not certain how you can find this information, but it is my understanding that folks are working on things like cartilage transplants and/or methods to grow your own after yours has been damaged.  You might want to talk to some orthopaedic surgeons about the latest and greatest advances.

Jerry

The transplants are still considered experimental thus most insurance companies will not cover cost. A little strange since the success rate on these transplants are upwards of 85% I've been fighting with Blue Shield to cover such surgery. They claim they are doing lab case studies with positive results and about a year away from allowing claims to cover. I will more then likely try this once the insurance covers the cost. In the mean time,, FTR and Love  the Tylenol