UKC

Keyhole surgery next week. Knees apparently in good nick (I'm 42), except for tear to medial meniscus which will be shaved away.
Expecting lots of initial pain and swelling, but got no idea how long that will take to normalise, what activities if any would help, and what would be detrimental to recovery. Was hoping to be able to do some flat gentle walking, swimming & easy, low resistance static biking in the gym within a couple of weeks, lest i go mad. Only interested in stuff that aids, rather than impairs recovery. What's your experience?.

In reply to monkeys: I don't know if you can make a valid comparison here but I had an ankle arthroscopy last year and was told I'd be back to normal after 2 days but it was more like 2 weeks.

In reply to monkeys: My son had same procedure for torn cartilage earlier tghis year. Cycling has been the best for him (recomended by physio).

In reply to monkeys:
Partial Menisectomies normally have a good prognosis for recovery. Most people are able o start weight bearing within a couple of days, gradually reducing the need for crutches, this depends on the surgeons recommendations and how complicated the surgery is.

You should be referred to a physio post surgery. The initial focus, is as you say, getting the swelling down and range of movement up, then normally starting on exercises such as mini squats against a wall and heel raises. By 7 days you should be able to use the static bike as range of movement allows.

Rehab then progresses with continued strengthening, balance, proprioception and agility exercises.

Heres a useful link with average protocol stages of recovery:

http://xnet.kp.org/socal_rehabspecialists/ptr_library/08KneeRegion/25Knee-M...

Good Luck!

In reply to monkeys: after Ankle arthroscopy op, I was back on the bike after abot 3/4 weeks, just do loads of stretching and phys. use pain as your guide! a year or so on, ankle is still a little tight in the morning or after long rests, but once warmed up, its feels brand new!!

Took me about a year before tried to run again, probably could of done this sooner, pre injury i was training for ultra's, A year later a 10k run felt like the worst 50 minutes of my life.

Good luck

paul t

In reply to Siobhan Miller:
Thanks all for your quick input.
Siobhan - that's exactly the overview i was looking for. Thanks.
Helps my mental prepartion a lot !.

In reply to monkeys: I had a knee arthroscopy in october, cycling was good but was also recommended swimming as its low-stress on the joints. Recovered now though with occasional knee pain and in ability to fully bend leg at knee which is slightly undesirable in climbing :P hope it all goess well!

In reply to monkeys: I tore the medial meniscus of right knee and had it operated on by keyhole surgery in Nov 08. Whilst I could weight bear on it the same day (the nursing staff encouraged walking as soon as possible for me with only a stick), and had only a little swelling and pain, I did have problems of stability as my ACL was damaged. I was nevertheless climbing again indoors three weeks later, but it took a couple of months before I was climbing confidently on it. My understanding is to get back to your normal routine as soon as you can, starting very very easy and building up as your knee allows. Keeping the knee mobile is vital, then regaining strength, balance, and getting the minor muscles active again. Proprioception and flexibility excercises were the crucial ones for me. My surgeon said six weeks would be normal to be fully active and doing everything that you did before. But with the ACL useless, it took two years and lots of specialist sports physio to help with the stability though and get back to hill walking and skiing. All the best - the prognosis is normally good.

In reply to Climbing Pieman:
Excellent, insightful responses folks. Thank you !.
Definitely feeling more optimistic about the whole process.
My knees/legs in good pre-op condition, so hoping for a good result !.

I prefer the idea of a stick to crutches !.
Cheers folks.

In reply to monkeys: I'm recovering from an Elbow Arthroscopy that i had done a week last thursday. Initial swelling and pain for about 2 days, now a week and 2 days on, much better, just the scabs need to heal. Joint's still a bit tender but nothing that bothers me too much!

In reply to monkeys: I had one done a few years ago but just for a look see to try and figure out why I kept dislocating my knee but not actually doing anything more intrusive than the arthoscopy. I didn't get given any crutches or a stick and was stood in the pub that night (granted in a fair bit of discomfort and a huge bandage on my knee).

One word of advice I would give you is don't try and do too much too quick as I always did that after injuring my knee and now have a weakness there, probably for life as I kept over doing it and reinjuring it!

In reply to monkeys:
Physiotherapy - it's very important to exercise but not strenously. Anti-inflammatories and vitamins (particularly vit C to make new collagen strong).
Good muscle around the joint is also helpful (not usually a problem for climbers).

In reply to monkeys:

I had surgery for a torn ACL 3 years ago and found this website to be a good information source - http://www.kneeguru.co.uk/

I was walking with the assistance of crutches the day after surgery, though obviously lots of rest, ice packs and elevation was required in the early days. Stick at your physio - it's really important for making a full recovery!

In reply to Stuart S: Had 80% of my medial meniscus removed in two ops since October. My advice is get a physio that understands climbing. My first physio signed me off fit after 3 weeks then in febuary I tore it again. Managed to get some winter climbing in first though. Lost a lot of muscle mass in my quads which 4 months on is still only about 70% of the size of my right leg. This time I waited 10 weeks before starting to climb on it and started easy with lots of rest. Things are looking good for my knee at the moment, saw the consultant on Friday and he was happy. I used the excersises the physio gave me and added weight when I felt comfortable. Did straight leg lifts for two weeks walking in the swimming pool gentle kicks in the pool. 20 degree quad extensions after 3 weeks. Gentle cycling after 3 weeks. Single leg squats after 5 weeks with light weight. Also did a lot of propreoception stuff look that up on you tube. Any help I can offer you just mail me. But go easy everyone heals at different rates and I pushed too fast too soon the first time round.

In reply to monkeys:
Hi,
Recovery depends on what the surgeon does, and his rehab protocol for that intervention, they vary considerably.

If it's purely a 'meniscal trim', then crutches will only be issued if the consultant asks for them, or, you are in pain and limping heavily.

Main priority is to reduce the swelling, then gaining ROM. Do not neglect achieving left = right extension, as well as flexion.
You should be given some specific strength and ROM exs by a physio.

Walking in the first week should be for function only( ie your daily tasks).

See a physio at least once in the first 2 weeks for advice.
If no complications,then minimal resistance cycling on a static bike from average 2 weeks, swimming(crawl/backstroke)once your stitches are out and the portals are deemed water tight by the nurse/consultant.

Don't aim for too much too soon.
Hope this helps.

In reply to skel:
Thanks very much everone. Really appreciate your advice, and helpful to hear about your experiences. Being fit and strong beforehand clearly helps, as does a good physio, and taking it slowly. Plan sorted !.