Taking the knife to the knee

[moosterbounce]

Well, tomorrow is the day. Bilateral arthroscopic surgery. Yep, both knees. One has medial meniscus tear (large), cyst, and some clean up required as there is a self healed ACL tear dating back a bit. The other has a suspected meniscus tear.

I'm getting ready for a bit of rehab after some healing time. Of course, I'll update everyone on my journey which I'm already thinking will be helped by a new bike

[wombatK]

Good luck MB - just remember, as long as the surgeon gets a good nights sleep tonight, you'll be OK.

[trailgumby]

BOTH knees

I'm guessing it's flat pedals and toestraps and the bike locked into the trainer for you for awhile. The buggers will have you up on crutches and out the door same or next day no doubt, dosed up on painkillers. Seems to work though

All the best for tomorrow.

Just promise me .you wont post the vid of the op on youtube

[toolonglegs]

Good luck moo

[g-boaf]

That sounds like a lot of pain for a while.

Good luck.

[briztoon]

Good luck mate.

Hope everything goes well, and for a fast recovery.

[moosterbounce]

No pain no gain so they say

There won't be any video Gumby - I'm a fainter!!

No crutches, walk out tomorrow night. Drive day after. Apparently.

Surgeon reckons I can be back on the trainer at about week 3. I've ridden 3 times since May so anything is gonna hurt...the pain from my butt will make me forget the knees, but at least there will be no danger of overdoing it!! Tho I will feel like a prat riding the tt bike on the trainer in 10 minute sets with zero load

[foo on patrol]

Good luck with and be a good boy with the rehab:mrgreen::mrgreen:

Sent from my GT-I9210T using Tapatalk 2

[toolonglegs]

Going to be difficult for moo to be a good boy ... Hehe

[moosterbounce]

Pretty sure THAT isn't the operation I signed up for!!

[gorilla monsoon]

Modern medicine. You won't know yourself by Saturday. Good luck with it all.

[foo on patrol]

Force of habit there.

Sent from my GT-I9210T using Tapatalk 2

[Mulger bill]

Good luck moo

THIS x100. Heal well mate.

[Lizzy]

Zoinks Good luck, heal well & let us know how you go.

[wombatK]

Pretty sure THAT isn't the operation I signed up for!!

Gold !

[trailgumby]

Pretty sure THAT isn't the operation I signed up for!!

Gold !

Yep that just made me the target of some sideways looks on the bus.

( to all of youse )

[wombatK]

[
Yep that just made me the target of some sideways looks on the bus.

( to all of youse )

Serve you right - shoulda been on yer bike

[moosterbounce]

Doc was right. Home by 7, walking. Ok, I'm walking slowly with a touch of John Wayne and leaning on stuff as required. Oh...an I may still be feeling the effects of the local they pumped in after the op tomorrow may be a different story.

I'm already up with the ice packs tho.

Happy to post my progress over the next few weeks. Sounds like lots of people here have experienced similar and no doubt a few more will. Word of warning tho - don't be in a position where an 80kg hockey goalie slides you when both parties are at a sprint. It will end in tears (both pronounciations!!) but may take 20 years to show.

Thanks for the well wishes folks. Greatly appreciated

[moosterbounce]

So this is about 24 hours after the op and how do I feel? Fine actually. I was lucky to not have any ill effects from the anesthetic and just woke up hungry and thirsty. On to the knees...

I'm keeping icepacks on em every few hours. If they start to get a bit twingey, I'll ice them. Have had prescribed anti inflammatory today but no pain meds needed at this stage. In fact, the pain I was in prior to the surgery from the tears was greater than any discomfort I'm feeling today. Hope this trend continues.

Walking is interesting. I'm using Mr Moo as a walking frame and a bit of a buffer in case the dogs get in the way (they are waist height so can easily hurt a knee when they play speed hump in the hall way!!). I'm stiff walking but the "John Wayne" is reducing all the time. Phew - thought I might be stuck with it!! Standing and sitting is problematic as I can't bend my knees far enough under myself to do it. If I need a 90 degree bend to stand, I've got about 70. So the husband is needing to act as an anchor and help lift/lower me down. This isn't good for the loo...if he returns to work tomorrow!!

So what do I do now? Well, I lie on the couch (rest) with my legs up (elevation) and apply ice packs (ice). I've still got crepe bandages on (compression) but they should come off today. I think I'll put another on though as I'm very squeamish about what will be found underneath (read earlier post - I'm a fainter). Seriously though, it was a possibility to do so no biggie.

The day surgery nurse rang today to check on me and she was happy with what I was doing rest-wise. I was given some physio exercises when I left the hospital and she suggested starting them in a day or two. This should help the range of movement. Having both knees done is definitely rare-ish. The nurse said most people use their other leg to assist standing but as I don't have that luxury, it's understandable I'm having some standing/sitting issues. If we had a rail in the loo there'd be no issue as I can almost stand using the door frame.

Oh yeah, nurse confirmed lateral tear in medial meniscus of both knees. Another good outcome as it was only a guess based on what I was feeling.

Have discovered some tenderness at the back of my neck this arvo. Guessing this was when I was moved to another bed but don't know. Pretty sure it wasn't there before!! Maybe they had music on in theatre and I was head banging without knowing?!

So far, this has been pretty easy going. Everyone is different with recovery and so far I'm lucky. Could be different tomorrow though so we are taking it one day at a time. There's been nothing yet to suggest both knees at once wasn't a good idea - phew.

[Mulger bill]

Fingers crossed Moo, heal well and quickly.

Shaun

[moosterbounce]

Fingers crossed Moo, heal well and quickly.

Shaun

One word and just four letters are needed to give you an idea of incentive for healing...Time ZXRS. I'll be doing some measuring up when I'm a bit more mobile and get the order in

[wombatK]

So far, this has been pretty easy going. Everyone is different with recovery and so far I'm lucky. Could be different tomorrow though so we are taking it one day at a time. There's been nothing yet to suggest both knees at once wasn't a good idea - phew.

Hey MB, give yourself a pat on the back. according to the Roman philosopher, Seneca, Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.
So put your good recovery down to fitness, and proper preparation.

Not only did your fitness put you in the "Well-prepared" stakes, but you've listened to and acted on all the good instructions about rest, ice, compression
and elevation.

As for two knees, I know people who chickened out on getting a double knee replacement done, but were then too scared off by the single knee job and
did not go back for the second. And spent rest of their lives (>30 years) very movement restricted and regretting it.

While your surgery isn't quite as difficult, you've made the right choice there too. It's great to hear its going so well for you.

[coffeeandwine]

Hey MB,
to make it easier to get up (as neither knee bends very well), choose as higher seat as possible/make the seat higher with cushions.

For the loo, you can hire an "Over Toilet Aid" (OTA) from the chemist/rehab supplies place-might help for a week, it is free standing and basically comes with built in rails. You can also get just a donut type attachment to the loo but the handles are handy on the OTA.

Heal well.

[briztoon]

Good to hear your recovery is going well for you MB. That's a seriously nice incentive you've got to look forward to.

[moosterbounce]

Day 2 and I can handle the ups and downs to the toilet alone yay me!!

I was definitely walking better today and started the physio exercises. They seemed pretty easy (aimed at knees and thighs that dont exercise im guessing) but I didn't quite do the full amount just in case. And good thing too. My right knee was a bit more swollen last night so I think I did a bit too much for it. The left was fine though. Right knee had more work done than the left. It's going to be tricky finding the right balance for each side!!

Need to take moving back a step today and get the swelling down. Ice and anti inflam in the cards. On the bright side, still no pain and half of me is in front. The other half is probably where the doc expected it, but I'm just pushy!!