Keyhold knee surgery - cartilege damage

[WendyS]

Has anybody had an arthoscopy for cartilege damage to a knee? Was it successful in eliminating the pain? Did restore full pain-free movement? And what was the recovery time? thanks

[fbg40]

Hi Wendy

I have had an arthroscopy done to both knees TWICE !! It worked the first time (1993) and relieved the pain and discomfort for some considerable time. I had it done again 4 years ago, only to find out that my right knee was totally knackered, and my left knee was 50% gone. As a result, two years ago, I had a total knee replacement on the right knee. As regards recovery time with the arthroscopy, I was able to walk out of hospital the first time without any aid, and was back to normal in about 7 - 10 days. The second time, as I had both knees done at the same time, I had to use crutches, but only for about a week. Hope this helps. Any more questions, just leave another post.
Good luck
FBG40

[smudge]

Hi Wendy - in February this year, I had kneehole surgery to my right knee (which I'd damaged a long time ago when climbing out of a swimming pool & bashing it hard on a metal step)! However, as the pain had been spasmodic over the years, I declined surgery, until then.

I had the very torn cartiledge trimmed & a large cyst drained in the same knee. I gave up the crutches after a week & the recovery time for walking on it & bending it comfortably was approx 4 weeks. I waited a couple more weeks before daring to kneel on it, but it was ok.

I'm so glad I had it done, as it's been much better since.

Good luck with your op.

[smudge]

Meant to say, I was walking to the local shops on it after a week without crutches, but bending it comfortably & before resuming swimming, was approx 4 weeks.

[WendyS]

Thanks for your reassuring responses. Am awaiting an MRI scan to confirm that this will be the next step but am pretty sure it will be. Being a keen gardener I'm reluctant to be out of action for long as there's always so much to do at this time of year, but I've negelected the problem for years and it's getting worse, so guess it's time to bite the bullet.

[smudge]

Hi again Wendy - I felt exactly the same as you & was very reluctant to have surgery!

I suppose it would have been best to have had it done much earlier, that way I wouldn't have had a the meniscal cyst growing & pressing on the already torn cartilege over the years - ouch!

BTW, when I mentioned kneeling for the first time afterwards, it was to put some plants in the flower beds, so I used a nice soft kneel pad which helped a great deal.

So again, good luck - I'm sure you'll be fine.

[smudge]

Ha, ha, sorry Wendy - just read my first reply & see that I posted 'kneehole' surgery - of course I meant keyhole surgery! I can't stop laughing!

It's me age! ;o}

P.S. Hope you're knee's not too painful.

[WendyS]

Enjoyed your Freudian slip Smudge but wonder what you would call a "rear end" arthroscopy ????
Have an MRI scheduled for Oct 15th which I suspect will confirm surgery is needed so if that's the case, will be glad to get it over and done with.

[smudge]

I hope all goes well for you on the 15th Wendy. Let us know how you get on....

P.S. I've no idea what a 'rear end' arthroscopy is - sounds uncomfortable though!!!! ;o}

[nickmo]

Hi W - been there had the keyhole stuff done too. It was a few hundred years ago mind, but no problems since. Cut away a flap of meniscal tissue in one knee cap.

- as above, takes a couple of weeks to get the full movement back but it is a successful treatment. Normal procedure I gather is three holes used - two to work through and one for using a gas to inflate the area round the site of operation whcih is why there is some discomfort after the op.

Do speak to your GP or consultant about the whole thing to get a professional answer though.

Leaves three tiny dots, not large dents though, so no merit in showing off the scars.....

Hope all goes well!

[WendyS]

Nickmo - glad you explained about the gas inflation. They didn't tell me about this part of it. I had the op two days ago and my knee is still very swollen - presumably the gas inflation is part of the reason. I certainly hadn't expected the pain level 48 hours afterwards still to be so high but am trying to be patient.......!