Knee operation for me, anyone else been through it?

[Spot_the_Risk]

After over 20 years of my knee swelling inexplicably, the docs have finally decided to do something about it. I've had an MRI scan, and there's loose cartlidge in it, so I'm have an op some time in the new year. It will be key hole surgery, I think they will be flushing the knee out. I know that it will be very swollen for a few days, and I have to take it easy for up to a fortnight, but would welcome anyone elses experience, and the most important bit, how long before I start riding again?

 

[em1]

Hi. I twisted my left knee playing sport last year and had a bucket handle tear of the cartlidge. I had arthroscopic surgery on Dec 20th - two v small scars, one either side of the knee. I was able to drive after about 2 days. After 5 days it was much better (couldn't straighten the knee before the surgery) and I rode again after about a week - taking it easy on my old boy to start with, not too much trotting - mainly walk & canter etc. I went skiing with a knee brace at the end of January and was playing sport (hockey) again in February. Did quite a lot of strenthening work over the summer (& also lost some weight) and now it's as good as the other one. I guess the recovery depends on how much damage there is and how much they have to take away so yours might well be different to mine - especially as yours is more long term but hopefully it won't be too long before you are back. Good luck!

 

[georgiegirl2]

Hi there!

If its just a knee arthroscopy and wash out then it shouldnt be very long before you are back riding again

we tend to do these as day cases, it will probably last about half an hour then you will be able to go home later that day

 

[FinellaGlen]

My OH had this done years ago after shearing a small piece of bone from his patella whilst playing football. I don't seem to remember his recovery being too lengthy or problematic. Good luck with your op.

 

[JenHunt]

i had similar aged 14, and was riding again 3 days later (wasn't meant to, but couldn't wait!). i had complications with it and got an infection in the joint capsule, but think that it was just a random occurence, the surgeon said he'd never seen it in 20years! was given massive doses of anti-biotics and was on crutches for a while until it all cleaned up and healed, but all ok now, 10 years on and no ill effects apart from a tiny bit of stiffness every now and again.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

I had both my knees done some years ago....I went in, had the operation, & walked out without any problem. It doesn't take very long to be fully back to fitness as the keyhole surgery is not very invasive

 

[Sprout]

I have had loads of knee ops, arthroscopies etc.
Keyhole surgery is brilliant, not too much pain afterwards, and a very quick recovery time, but a good physio makes a real difference to longterm stability.
Good luck.

 

[beatrice]

My dad has had similar ops 5 times on his knees (plus a 6th to flush a very very nasty infection out). The recovery time was quick but my dad did stuff to quickly hence having the same ops numerous times. He is fine know and hasn't really had any problems since, however he can no longer run but is totally fine walked, bike etc etc.

 

[Spot_the_Risk]

Thanks everyone, sounds like it won't be too bad or too long winded! I know that I've got to have a general for it, and I'll be going home same day, I'm so hoping it sorts out my rubbish knee.

 

[Lvrees]

I had a knee athrosopy and a lateral release last year (where they chop a tendon as the ligament that runs over my patella kept getting stuck underneath or something. Anyway, had to stay in overnight, then wasn't allowed to ride for four weeks, but I lasted about a week and was back on board. Have been fine ever since. I couldn't work for a while as driving was a bit of an issue, my leg kept doing funny things. I think I'm going to have the other knee done next year as it keeps locking up.

 

[Hovis_and_SidsMum]

I've had my knee operated on 6 times now. Several times by key hole. Unless you get an infection then its fairly straightforward and non problematic. You should be back in the saddle very quickly.
Hope it goes well for you.

 

[Law]

Good Luck
I had keyhole surgery on mine and was out the same day. It was a bit sore for a few days but other than that i've had no problems with it since. They did say that swimming and cycling would help it but they didn't at all and made it ache a lot more. I do still cycle and swim but just not much. Riding ALL day, ie showing all day does make it ache a lot but normal riding is fine