NSR - Knee recovery question

sahuaro · #1 (**permalink**) 07-17-2009, 08:11 PM

Didn't see my PT but spoke to a trainer who had the surgery:
He said the first few days you need to not move around much, keep the knee elevated and iced. However, he also said that he was crazy enough to be at the gym the next day testing his ROM on the EFX--but did not recommend that!

Gil Denis · #2 (**permalink**) 07-17-2009, 10:00 PM

Hi Mark

I agree with runner RICE and a good movie or book.

How are the crutches working out ? You should get a good upper body and arm work out.

Take Care and see you on the slopes

All The Better

Gil

mmglobal · #3 (**permalink**) 07-17-2009, 10:49 PM

Surgeon's nurse said just elevate and ice until 3rd day (tomorrow). Pain should be commensurate with amount of surgery and this is way outside the box. After 4-level cervical, I was smiling in less than a day. The pain with movement is so extreme now, I can't believe it. I feel like such a big baby, except when Zoey is around... I can manage to be stoic in front of her. I hate the "Papa, whats the matter" when she can see me in distress.

I'm taking it easy, if you can call it that. Every trip to the bathroom is quite an ordeal. I forgot how great the crutches feel against your rib cage after a couple of days. Stationary bike tomorrow feels impossible. Waaaah, waaaah, waaaah.... I'll take some cheese with my whine.

When my R knee was done in 2003, I was hopping about at a couple of days out. I remember picking up a friend at the airport and stopping to take photos for a class I was taking.... 2 days out. waaahhh, waaaah, waaaah.

moving this thread to NSR...

Cindylou · #4 (**permalink**) 07-18-2009, 12:05 PM

Mark, sounds like you already got your instructions, but I thought I would just comment on the pain issue. I have had a number of surgeries on my left knee, some full blown like mcl repair/meniscus removal (back in the 70's when they didn't how how "important" the meniscus was.) and several arthroscopic debridement ones. And ironically enough, it was the arthroscopic ones that sent me over the moon in pain. I know that when bone shaving/debridement is done that the bone pain can be excruciating. Mine got so bad that my husband and neighbors carried me out to the car and took me to ER where they didn't even take my blue jeans down, but gave me a shot right through them into my butt! That and a rotator cuff repair were two of the most painful surgeries I have ever had, and we all know how many back surgeries I have had!

So, no, you are NOT whining. It hurts like hell, and then some. Pain is pain dear friend. I hope you turn the corner soon. Take care.

Maria · #5 (**permalink**) 07-19-2009, 04:57 AM

Mark,
My first arthroscopic knee surgery was a breeze (right knee meniscus repair) but the 2nd one for patella tendon release was a super duper nightmare to recovery from (including waking up to a long leg cast that I could only tolerate 2 weeks vs. 8 due to low back pain upon sitting with leg sticking straight out)...

So like CL I'd say each surgery is different even if arthroscopic and depends on what was done exactly and the degree of swelling/inflammation there is on the inside going on. Use ice as ordered with knee/leg elevated and I'd see how it's going before starting the pedaling...

Hope the recovery moves along nicely after the rough patch...