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[woode]

For a number of years, I had pain on my inner right knee, but it was only when climbing stairs or squatting.  Otherwise, not too much pain.  It gradually got worse, so my doctor finally did an MRI & told me that I had a torn meniscus.  I scheduled my surgery for the end of November 2008, had a week off from work to recover, was walking without pain in two weeks, and by January, I was back in yoga class & riding again. Recuperation was surprisingly quick, and relatively painless.  Of course, everyone responds differently, and we may have totally different conditions.

Ed

[arcticdude]

It's all about the post-op therapy. If you do what you're supposed to, you'll be back in form in no time. I been close to 3 TKR's so far (between 2 close family members). The first 2 didn't go after the p/o therapy like they should have. They have problems with their knees.  The 3rd TKR was done on the older of the 2, she then got after her therepy and not only recovered faster, but does MUCH better with that leg than the first one. Admittedly, there are compounding problems that do inhibit the first, but much of the problem is the difference in p/o regimen.

Good luck with whatever you have to do!

[REGGAB]

The way my knee feels right now, I really think I'm doing the right thing.  PT has proven that my left leg is smaller and weaker due to compensation to avoid the pain.  I'm slowly but surely working it back to where it needs to be prior to surgery.  I feel pretty good about this.  Sure, there'll be sacrifices, but dem's da breaks.  What I do know is I'm sick of laying awake at night, hurting......falling down and hurting other parts of me, and I'm most worried about dumping one of my machines.  The place where I go for PT is the same place Stef uses for her hip.  They're great folks.  The muscle stim and LASER therapy is helping to regain strength.  Have an eval next week to see my progression.  Once I get this thing fixed, it's PT 3 times a week X 4 weeks.  Hopefully I won't miss too much of the summer, but more importantly, as long as I regain stability and get some pain relief, it will be a huge victory.

[GregKhougaz]

Henry,  Here's another $.02: 

    No Dr. but have some good experience.  My friends call me the bionic man.  I'm 52 but very athletic and with a very high pain threshold (Not meaning to brag but it makes a huge difference).  If your knee is locking and you fall, you risk further damage.  My knee history:

Left knee:  '91 completely rebuilt ACL, lateral collateral lig. & meniscus repair; Could barely walk pre surgery.  Skiing five months after surgery... no problems.
                '98 further meniscus repair (knee was locking); Fine in a week.  ON a life cycle day after surgery.
                Jan. '07 shattered left tib with plateau fracture and displacement.  (Actually split the entire leg, lengthwise).  Surgeon removed meniscus (split in half) repaired it on the table and reinserted.  Love technology!  Several Dr's. said I would or will need knee replacement.  F__k them!!!!!  Complete recovery each time.  No problems. 

Right knee:  Lost ACL in 90.  Little other damage.  NO surgery nor brace.  Continuous work to keep muscles as strong as possible to compensate.  Ski, tennis, whatever no problem.  So I claim to know a little about recovery. 

The point is, it is 80% you.  If you have chronic pain and locking.... get it fixed.  Sooner the better.  Your ability to recover is not getting better as you age.  For pain, I hope you're taking a glucosamine / chondroitin complex supplement.  Helped me a lot and still take it when the knees get sore.

If the surgery is arthroscopic, two month recovery is a maximum.  Again, it depends on you, the  procedure and amount of damage repaired  and the surgeon.  If it hurts, move it!  Nothing speeds recover more than blood flow and movement gives you blood flow.  In recovery, I would triple the amount of weight and reps that the PT people wanted me to do.  Every one is different and you know you better than the therapist.  You need to be able to tell the difference in pain between it hurts because you're trying so hard and it hurts because you're tearing something.  If you tend to swell, recovery is slower.  Use advil before therapy and ice after!!!!  There is no substitute for strength training.  BTW, in addition to weights, yoga will help you get your balance, lateral movement and coordination back.  When you do, find something to get your quickness back.  OK, so it was $.04.  Sorry.

[Fired00d]

Henry,
Have you had the procedure done yet? How you doing? Had a spell w/my knee about three weeks ago and finally got to see my Ortho Doc today... my problem is just chronic arthritis at the time. Couple weeks ago when it gave out I thought I was going to have to go under the knife again too. Anyway hope you're doing well.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[REGGAB]

Henry,
Have you had the procedure done yet? How you doing? Had a spell w/my knee about three weeks ago and finally got to see my Ortho Doc today... my problem is just chronic arthritis at the time. Couple weeks ago when it gave out I thought I was going to have to go under the knife again too. Anyway hope you're doing well.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

Hi Gary,
Thanks for asking.  Yessir.  Left knee was scoped two weeks ago today.  Medial meniscus was torn beginning at the posterior horn all the way to the peak of the medial aspect.  Plica was also shedded.  Torn meniscus was removed and shaped, and the damaged Plica was removed.  Began walking without crutches the next day after being goaded by my physical therapist.  Everything is going well, save for some soreness and a slight burning.  Followed up with my orthopod today.  He gave me an injection of novacaine, prednisone and antibiotics, so I'm feeling pretty good now........which greatly increases the risk of screwing it up again if I'm not careful.  He also cleared me to start riding again, so I'll take full advantage under caution this weekend.  I was surprised since he initially told me two months without riding.  He wants to fix my right knee too.....but it doesn't hurt that bad yet.  It'll wait until winter.  I'm not gonna miss anymore riding due to bum knees.  Says I should be good to go, but if I keep pounding them like I have been, I'm looking at dual TKR before I'm 60.  Well......if that is what it takes to keep riding, then dual TKR it is........but that's a ways off.
Hope everything works out well with your knee challenges.  I think it is amazing what they can do with arthroscopy.  The good thing is, the knee isn't locking anymore.

[Fired00d]

Glad to hear things are going well with you. It's amazing what a good surgeon can do these days. I know you can't wait to get back in the wind, just be careful.

Three weeks ago when I had my episode I thought I was going to need to go under the knife again, but today ortho just told me to keep doing what I'm doing since it's getting better. Took x-rays and there is little to no cartilage left, we can see bone spurs, and while manipulating my leg/knee you can feel it going over the bad places. Anyway for now I'm just going to continue my present course as it's not giving me any pain other then getting stiff at times (arthritis). If it gets to be really bad he told me just give him a call and within a week he'd have me in surgery and clean it up if needed. Like you I'm probably at some time going to require TKR, but going to hold that off for as long as possible. Don't want to be up for another THP and TKR close to the same time.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[REGGAB]

Glad to hear things are going well with you. It's amazing what a good surgeon can do these days. I know you can't wait to get back in the wind, just be careful.

Three weeks ago when I had my episode I thought I was going to need to go under the knife again, but today ortho just told me to keep doing what I'm doing since it's getting better. Took x-rays and there is little to no cartilage left, we can see bone spurs, and while manipulating my leg/knee you can feel it going over the bad places. Anyway for now I'm just going to continue my present course as it's not giving me any pain other then getting stiff at times (arthritis). If it gets to be really bad he told me just give him a call and within a week he'd have me in surgery and clean it up if needed. Like you I'm probably at some time going to require TKR, but going to hold that off for as long as possible. Don't want to be up for another THP and TKR close to the same time.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

Gary, Although the pain is bothersome at most, mainly because it affects my sleep, the decision point for my left knee arthroscopy was one of safety.  It's pretty scary when you stick a leg out at a stop sign/light, and it won't go straight.  Right knee isn't at that point, and it won't see a knife unless it gets that way.  Pain is manageable....to a point, but functionality usually requires some type of repair.
Aging isn't really all that bad.  It's when things start breaking that my interest piques.  I suppose a time will come............hopefully a very long time from now..........that the Green Bike will get triked and the Purple Bike will sprout a side hack, but until then, each day I get to ride is a precious gift for which I am extremely grateful.  I'm fortunate to be alive.......let alone having the honor and Blessing of being able to ride these machines.  I always try to be mindful of that when I feel that urge to push the envelope and ride on the ragged edge.   

[Diamondback]

 

Being one of these old men also.  I would assume that a total knee replacement is years away.  Surgery for a meniscus is at most six weeks recovery and probably less for some one who has endured the pain for so long.

I have had two yes two ACL reconstructs and the last one took about 6 months to get back to 80% and about a year to fully recover.  We don't recover as fast when we get older.

Spent a lot of years running Ortho shops.  The process is much better today and even a full ACL reconstruct takes about six months.  There is a new procedure out for a total knee which does not repeat does cut the tendons, this reduces the recovery time from three month minimum to three or four week.  My best friends 64 you old wife walked out after a total knee in three days and was released from PT in three weeks.  8 weeks post op she is moving great.

Definitely check into this if it is a total knee.

[Fired00d]

Gary, Although the pain is bothersome at most, mainly because it affects my sleep, the decision point for my left knee arthroscopy was one of safety.  It's pretty scary when you stick a leg out at a stop sign/light, and it won't go straight.  Right knee isn't at that point, and it won't see a knife unless it gets that way.  Pain is manageable....to a point, but functionality usually requires some type of repair.
Aging isn't really all that bad.  It's when things start breaking that my interest piques.  I suppose a time will come............hopefully a very long time from now..........that the Green Bike will get triked and the Purple Bike will sprout a side hack, but until then, each day I get to ride is a precious gift for which I am extremely grateful.  I'm fortunate to be alive.......let alone having the honor and Blessing of being able to ride these machines.  I always try to be mindful of that when I feel that urge to push the envelope and ride on the ragged edge.   

I definitely know how that is. Before I had the hip replaced I couldn't use the left leg at all... once I put it on the floorboard it was there until I was ready to get off the bike. I noticed yesterday when they were doing x-rays of my knee while I was on the table I couldn't straighten out the bad knee like I could the good one. Asked the Dr about that and he said it was the arthritis, the minor discomfort/stiffness I can deal with, but if it gets to the point it's unstable then something will have to be done.

We are most definitely blessed to be alive and able to enjoy the things in life we have worked so hard for.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[REGGAB]

Being one of these old men also.  I would assume that a total knee replacement is years away.  Surgery for a meniscus is at most six weeks recovery and probably less for some one who has endured the pain for so long.

I have had two yes two ACL reconstructs and the last one took about 6 months to get back to 80% and about a year to fully recover.  We don't recover as fast when we get older.

Spent a lot of years running Ortho shops.  The process is much better today and even a full ACL reconstruct takes about six months.  There is a new procedure out for a total knee which does not repeat does cut the tendons, this reduces the recovery time from three month minimum to three or four week.  My best friends 64 you old wife walked out after a total knee in three days and was released from PT in three weeks.  8 weeks post op she is moving great.

Definitely check into this if it is a total knee.

ACL.  Have a slight tear in my left one as validated on MRI since 2005 and verified during arthroscopy two weeks ago.  Nothing can be done, really, unless it tears completely.  All sorts of things about which to be mindful when one has beat up walking sticks.
PT is going very well.  Have six more sessions and will be discharged just in time for Ribfest.  Still, I'm going to lay up, honor my Bride's wishes, and trailer one of the motorcycles to CHL.  I'll ride while there under caution.  I'm just glad I can ride.  Sure beats the alternative.

[REGGAB]

I definitely know how that is. Before I had the hip replaced I couldn't use the left leg at all... once I put it on the floorboard it was there until I was ready to get off the bike. I noticed yesterday when they were doing x-rays of my knee while I was on the table I couldn't straighten out the bad knee like I could the good one. Asked the Dr about that and he said it was the arthritis, the minor discomfort/stiffness I can deal with, but if it gets to the point it's unstable then something will have to be done.

We are most definitely blessed to be alive and able to enjoy the things in life we have worked so hard for.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

Gary, You mention having undergone knee arthroscopy twice before.  Was this the knee on which arthroscopy was performed?  Sounds like bone to bone contact, and nothing good comes of that according to my physical therapist.  Have you tried cortisone injections?  I think you can get like 4 a year.  They help alot.  In one instance, I went almost one month pain free after an injection, but would still lock due to the torn meniscus.  Just wondering if that bad knee will be able to hold up if you're using it.
It's amazing how we'll compensate to be able to enjoy this sport.  Certainly wish you the best.

[Fired00d]

Gary, You mention having undergone knee arthroscopy twice before.  Was this the knee on which arthroscopy was performed?  Sounds like bone to bone contact, and nothing good comes of that according to my physical therapist.  Have you tried cortisone injections?  I think you can get like 4 a year.  They help alot.  In one instance, I went almost one month pain free after an injection, but would still lock due to the torn meniscus.  Just wondering if that bad knee will be able to hold up if you're using it.
It's amazing how we'll compensate to be able to enjoy this sport.  Certainly wish you the best.

It is the same knee that has been 'scoped before and x-rays are showing bone to bone contact (lack of meniscus), but having had the cortisone shots in the hip before replacement I'm hesitant to have those in the knee (I know I'm being hardheaded ). I may have waited to long before I had them done to my hip, but they really didn't do what I had expected/wanted. It was more of a band-aid then a fix, and after having gone through the ordeal w/the hip I'm of the mindset to deal with it until I have to have it 'scoped/replaced. It's really weird I have a good day and then I have days where if you saw me moving around you'd think I was a 90 year old. One of the options the surgeon has given me is that he could go in ('scope) and clean it up if it continues to bother me and I'm leaning more that way before I do the shots. The thing that concerns me the most is how it started acting up this time (just got up from a sitting position and it gave out) and the amount of time it's taking to recover (now going on 4+ week). I'm honestly feeling more then just the meniscus issues are going on and thinking it might take some exploratory surgery to get a bigger/better picture.

One thing that was reassuring that I saw when I was at the surgeon's office was a chart/picture of a knee... it had normal, mild, moderate, and severe arthritis and he diagnosed mine as moderate at this time. I told him that was good to hear because as he well knows from seeing how bad my hip was I don't normally come in until things are severe.

I'm just thankful to still be able to get around at all as much use/abuse I've given this body.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
  

[REGGAB]

It is the same knee that has been 'scoped before and x-rays are showing bone to bone contact (lack of meniscus), but having had the cortisone shots in the hip before replacement I'm hesitant to have those in the knee (I know I'm being hardheaded ). I may have waited to long before I had them done to my hip, but they really didn't do what I had expected/wanted. It was more of a band-aid then a fix, and after having gone through the ordeal w/the hip I'm of the mindset to deal with it until I have to have it 'scoped/replaced. It's really weird I have a good day and then I have days where if you saw me moving around you'd think I was a 90 year old. One of the options the surgeon has given me is that he could go in ('scope) and clean it up if it continues to bother me and I'm leaning more that way before I do the shots. The thing that concerns me the most is how it started acting up this time (just got up from a sitting position and it gave out) and the amount of time it's taking to recover (now going on 4+ week). I'm honestly feeling more then just the meniscus issues are going on and thinking it might take some exploratory surgery to get a bigger/better picture.

One thing that was reassuring that I saw when I was at the surgeon's office was a chart/picture of a knee... it had normal, mild, moderate, and severe arthritis and he diagnosed mine as moderate at this time. I told him that was good to hear because as he well knows from seeing how bad my hip was I don't normally come in until things are severe.

I'm just thankful to still be able to get around at all as much use/abuse I've given this body.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
  

I know how you feel.     Did your surgeon mention anything about the possibility of one failing joint, and resultant compensation, leading to degeneration of other joints upstream?  I got that lecture from both my surgeon, my physical therapist, and my family doc.  I got the left knee fixed only because it was a safety issue.  Had it not been for that, I would have probably let it go......but doing so would have lead to my left hip degenerating.  So that got my attention.  I remember very well what you went through with your THR, and I don't want any part of that.  I see people in physical therapy every time I go there who have had THR, and most have also had some sort of knee problem....with the majority having undergone TKR.  I've had a pretty good awakening over the past few months.
Those cortisone injections SUCK when you get them.....especially in the knee.  My orthopod sunk that needle into my knee to the hilt.  It hurt like crazy, but was over quickly and almost instantaneously I felt SO much better.  Gary, it may be worth your while to just hunker down and get the needle.  You'll never know unless you try, and if it works, so much the better.  Just had one yesterday, and it doesn't burn anymore.  The only thing about it is........it is still healing from the surgery, so it would be very easy for me to mess it up again.  Same might happen in your case and you could screw it up worse than it is.
But the big thing is......might be a good idea to get that knee fixed.  Would hate to see you endure another THR, which might be prevented by fixing your bad knee. JMHO.  I'm no newb to ortho injuries and repair by any means, but if fixing something small can prevent something worse from happening, then it might be worth your while to look into it.

[SBB]

Henry

You and Renea are going to be at Copperhead, right
If your not then lets just cancel that event.
You get my drift?

See you there, better!

SBB