Arthroscopic Knee Surgery | Arthritis Information

Did you have this done?

If so where does the camara go in?

I have been in for this surgery twice, the first time was fantastic, I went in a 4pm, and was home by 1.30am, when the dr inserted the camera he saw my knee was really badly inflamed, so he injected it with a high dose of cortisone, and it has helped, as my leg would not bend, it's still not bending as much as I would like but as I have started Humira injections I'm hoping the inflammation will go down, and then I may get more movement. The second time, the anaethatist had problems putting me to sleep, so I woke up as surgery began, but the Dr had wangled my knee while I was half asleep, and whatever he did has been fantastic, I can walk for ages, where as before my foot and ankle hurt like mad. I was told by several doctors I had no option but to have a complete knee replacement, but I asked for the arthroscopy as I did not want major surgery, and was I glad I did, as the orthopaedic surgeon says I do not need a knee replacement, I just need to get the inflammation under control. DO NOT ACCEPT JOINT REPLACEMENT SURGERY IMMEDIATELY, ALWAYS ASK FOR OTHER OPTIONS FIRST.

By the way the surgery left 2 small marks on my knee, hardly visible, the camera goes in both sides, it is a good procedure.

I had arthroscopic surgery aug 7th still in mega pain..can't sleep thru nite even w/drugs and can't bend at all yet:( jalynne- are u feeling better? I had this surgery too and the first week was a little rough but got better quickly after that. Lots of physical therapy.I am 5 weeks post arthroscopy, and the recovery has surprised me. The first 2 weeks went pretty well, and I didn't need too much pain medicine. I really kept the area iced almost 24/7. But after first 2 weeks, the knee was a lot stiffer and I couldn't straighten the knee all the way. I went to PT and did the exercises faithfully but my pain drastically increased - so much so that 5 days ago, I stopped doing the PT exercises completely - and thankfully, my pain is now coming back down to an acceptable level. My Doc warned me that my recovery would take longer than most - due to the fact that I had both lateral & medial meniscectomies and the shaving of all the cartilage. He found grade 3/4 osteoarthritis in the knee - That combined with my RA means that the knee will never be normal. I am hoping the surgery has bought me some relatively pain-free time before a TKR. The doc said "only time will tell..." SIGH. that is great. I had the surgery in March of this year. I also had the shots. I am still in pain. I take iborfan, all kinds of cartlidge replacementds and the pain is so bad at night I have to take percacete te pain is so bad. They said I need a knee replacement. The pain is so bad, I am at my wits end. Of course I live in Miami, where the hunidity is high. That does not help. I've had this done 3 times over the years and it was identical each time:

~ 3 each 1/2 inch incisions

~ Menisectomy done each time

~ Out of outpatient surgical center within 4 hours

~ Literally could have driven home myself if the hospital would have allowed it [they don't]

~ Never needed any pain medication or even Tylenol

~ Used CPM machine from the time I walked into my house and stayed strapped into it for the first three days [this machine is a godsend - prevents blood clots]; then reduced the use of the machine over the next 4 days

~ Was working in my bed two hours after I got home from the hospital

I am convinced that the success of this procedure is based on the skills of the surgeon.

I recently had Synvisc [hyaluronic acid] injections in both knees and the results were amazing.

I have 3 different forms of arthritis. I manage it well. The trick to it all is having an excellent orthopedic surgeon, an excellent rheumatologist, and being proactive in your treatment.

My husband had knee surgery on his left knee and after trying physical therapy and pain medication which did not really work, he tried a heated hemp rice pad from Pretty Momma Sling. It worked wonders for him! So if you are looking for treatment because your therapy is not working, then I would suggest that.

Megan

I have been bad with my knees from the early age of 17 and now I am 38 and still having serve painful problems. A few weeks ago I have had on my right knee had three times on my left knee, I just don't what to do anymore. I am content pain all the time day and night and locking of both knees now got Osteoarthritis in both knees at the back of knee cap, but I still to young to have new knee replacements. Well I guess it depends on who you are and what you have done. I was able to walk on it right away. I did take pain meds for a bit after. They shaved my bone or something because i had a tear in the ligament and they say women get a tilt from thier hips. So that was the part that hurt. Well I did not have an RA dx yet at the time they were saying fibro. I did like to sleep with a pillow between my legs afterward for awhile. I could not get down on my knees to look under the bed ect. for along time. Really was well worth it. Well of course getting a torn ligament repaired made me feel better.

I think the biggest hassle was taking a bath. I just layed my leg up on the side of the bathtub and kept it out of the water.