Wednesday, December 18, 2013
6 Years, 5.5 of them Awesome
It's my six year meniscaversary today. I celebrated with a hard workout and a hard indoor ride this morning before work. Six years after my MT, and still doing everything I want to do. I say 5.5 awesome years because the first six months of the first year are notably un-awesome. Heal well folks!
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I just wanted to say , Thanks! For writing all this! Im 1 month post op and reading your whole blog entently. I thought my feelings were alone in this misery. I cant wait to be on the back side.
ReplyDeleteHi Allison, I know the first Month is rough, and it will get better. It's about being super dedicated to rehab, being patient when you need to be, and being positive. Keep it going, and message me if you have any specific questions.
ReplyDeleteHi Rich
ReplyDeleteJust read through your entire blog. Thank you for the effort you have done by capturing your entire experience.
I am now 2 and a half weeks post op.
What is curios to me though - I have not once had pain at all. I have also not experienced the pain everyone has referred to prior their op.
I originally had a lateral meniscul tear, half of the meniscus was removed in 2001 and I had 9 years of great sporting that followed, including National Representation for both squash and Badminton. Which is my 2 loves.
4 Years ago I started experiencing pain when I pushed too hard on a squash court, out of concerns of the knee I went and saw a specialist, an MRI revealed I had no meniscus left, and damage to the bones from grinding (not too technical on the terms).
So being aware of the operation being legal in SA soon, the doc advised me to stop so that I can get the op when it comes to SA (South Africa).
The 2 and half weeks down, I have had no pain, lots of swelling, I have returned to work this week, (sales profession) so meetings has been a challenge since my knee is still strapped straight, sitting in meetings has been a challenge.
2 days ago the staples were removed and MRI done, this revealed that one of the stitches appears to have come lose / break, not sure which, and the meniscus has moved.
Going back into surgery tomorrow to fix that, seems a bit of bad luck there.
I also have not been given any rehab exercises (yet), assuming this will come around week 3.
I do hope that in a year from now that I am able to return to Badminton atleast, Squash would be a bonus (competitively would be a real bonus) but at the very worst I would be most satisfied with just being able to dance and live an active lifestyle.
I will keep following your posts - I am most curious to see if anyone else has not experienced any pain or if anyone else' stitches internally has come loose.
My doctor has thus far been most amazing, apparently one of the best in the world, and the best in SA, so I am most confident in him, trust tomorrows "fix up" will be successful and that there is no damage to the new meniscus I just received.
Thank you once again for all your posts, I am happy to see I can probably return to sports someday.
Hi Everyone reading. Has anyone else Post Opp experienced any extreme spasms after your Op? Since yesterday (1 week post 2nd opp) all my muscles in my back went into extreme spasms to such extend I can barely breath, had no sleep night naturally. Couldnt find anything on the posts before so sorry for asking here. Regards
ReplyDeleteDJ,
ReplyDeleteCheers from California to your new knee. I did get spasms in the early weeks in my quad. They were not bad though. Talk to your Dr. about a sleep aid, I took ambien when I was having a hard time sleeping. Good luck...send me an update as you get better.
Hi Rich.
Delete2 week post second opp follow up yesterday and brace adjusted to 90 degrees, and been given permission to loosen the brace more, what a change - all the pains in the knee is gone, physio starts next week - finally, recovery starts. 3 Weeks post opp 2, and 6 weeks post opp 1, been a challenging few weeks.
Sleeping has also finally improved, first time in 6 weeks, I see light at the end of the tunnel :)
Hi Rich.
ReplyDeleteHope you are doing well?
I just want to ask - I am now 1 month post opp 2.
I was sent to Grucox to do some type of bicycle exercise thing, which the moment they bent the leg on the bike i nearly climbed the roof - resulting in a hamstring tendon that is sore today still - 2 and a half weeks later.
But I cannot get more than a 10 degree bend on my knee, and I still have alot of swelling on the knee.
Did you also battle getting bend after your opp?
All the muscles in my leg has fallen flat - Doc said not to do any exercise until he told me and that was the result so I am also working up the muscles.
The result is daily cramps all over the knee after previous eves exercises.
So just want to know if anyone else 4 weeks post opp also cant / couldnt bend their knee without excruciating pain?
Appreciate responses.
Thank you everyone
Regards
I could bend my knee 90 degrees from about 2 weeks on. I was not doing any muscle building exercises until about week 8. Just my PT and docs protocol. At 4 weeks I was just cleared to partially weight bear. My knee was still a mess at 4 weeks. Good luck, and hang in there.
ReplyDeleteHi Rich.
ReplyDeleteNot sure if you know, but when they did your opp - did they cut the nerve in your knee?
I have not been able to get beyond a 15 degree bend without excruciating pain.
My doc has diagnosed me with Sudecks Atrophy being the reason i cant bend - which doesnt pose a very healthy road forward if we cant stop it in tracks now.
Been treating it for me, 2 weeks later and minor minor difference.
In my research one of the causes of Sudecks Atrophy is nerve damage.
In the interim I have been to my homeopath who is is also a specialist in several other fields and he noticed (via his methods which is medically backed) that the nerve has been cut and sown back together.
I had lateral meniscus transplant in my left knee.
Are you aware of whether that is what they did for you too?
Just trying to find out what others do, as I am sitting with a bit of a problem now and need to start getting answers, unfortunately losing faith in my doc due to all of this so i have been asking everywhere and I will probably be going to a second doc for a second opinion as to what is happening.
Look forward to hearing your response if you know if they did that with you too.
Thank you once again.
Regards
DJ,
ReplyDeleteI had a medial meniscus transplant, and my nerve issues were related to an adhesion of scar tissue on my nerve. It broke free during a PT session. The pain was unbearable, and then in one pop gone forever. Good luck, and I hope you heal well.
Rich
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