Arthroscopy on knee

[Mark Bolam]

Back in November I managed to crunch my kneecap up a conny.

Turns out I've bust bits out the front and back of the patella and snapped 8mm off my femur. All the bits are floating around.

It's now getting painful just walking the dog.

I'm booked in for an arthroscopy, possibly including micro-fracture to try and repair the damage.

Has anyone had similar, and what would be a realistic recovery time?

Any tips on pre-op exercise also appreciated.

Thanks.

[Dinosaw]

I had one of these for a torn meniscal cartilage about six years ago. Best get it done ASAP so that it doesn't get too arthritic. I paid for mine as I would have had to wait eighteen months to get it done on the NHS by which time it would definitely have been arthritic. Best exercise is to build up your knee muscles, especially your quadriceps. Sand filled cuffs around your ankle and do leg raises while watching the TV. Mine is really good now and I have trouble remembering which leg it was. Six weeks until it's better.

Edited February 8, 2016 by Dinosaw
Spellcheck!

[Mark Bolam]

Thanks mate.

I've been quite lucky after fannying around for two months with a GP and a physio saying it would get better.

Paid for an MRI in the end and should have the op within a month.

[nepia]

You'll get different advice from every reply; go with what the docs tell you. You'll get physio on the NHS but it may take weeks. Bite the bullet and pay ~£60 for a first appointment to go private. They'll see you as often as you want or need and asap after the procedure which is vital.

Muscle building is indeed the key but pre-op exercises...? Maybe not.

 

Who knows what recovery time will be? All I can say is that with a basic arthroscopy where no actual treatment is carried out you're up and walking in a couple of days and regular gentle exercise (without limping; that's bad) will heal it fast.

 

Best of luck but don't expect to be Marathon training within the week.

[Stubby]

Hi mark . I had an arthroscopy prior to having a half knee replacement . He did flush some snot and chewing gum out but I think it was mostly to have a look see . The pictures look like a planet . If you can get to see Michael Moss he is the top banana consultant .

[Peter]

I've had two, last one I went back to work two days later.

[David Humphries]

I had one about 7 years ago, which took me 8 weeks to get back to work from.

Mostly from a bad case of DVT

 

 

Of course I'm not the athlete you are Mark !

 

 

Don't know about pre-op, but post-op I used a turbo trainer for a while to try and build up calfs, quads and knee muscles again.

 

.

[Mark Bolam]

I think the recovery time from the basic op is pretty good, but it's the micro-fracture thing I'm a bit wary of.

[Mark Bolam]

I've had two, last one I went back to work two days later.

 

 

Yes mate, I have kids at home as well...

[HertsWood]

I had it last December (2014), to help ease pain, stop the joint locking etc. Was off work for 6 weeks (base when you work for self), told my knee consultant at Harlow it was all they could do for me and I should consider changing my job!!

 

Got a second opinion at Hichinbrook hospital at Huntington, who said the joint has collapsed - keyhole made no difference, there is only one option which is a replacement knee.

 

I'm scheduled for surgery end of February. Getting a high tech ceramic knee. Won't be able to drive for 6 weeks, off work 8 - 12 weeks

 

But no more pain, no locking joint and a knee that will last 15 - 20 years....