 Poster: A snowHead
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I know asking on an online forum won't replace proper medical advice, but here it goes
Injured my left knee meniscus in March last year, initially Dr and physio thought it was ACL injury, so got rehab up to Agust; since rehab was not as sucessful as they expected got refered to a consultant, consultant did MRI and noticed the top of the meniscus was bruised and some damage on the back.
Had arthroscopy on 7th December - according to surgeon operation went very well, top of the meniscus was taken off and was sent home with a list of physio excercises and would be seen by mid January.
Later was called from hospital, follow up has been moved to late January.
My progress was slower than initially told, but by New Year I was almost able to walk normally and slowly walk up and down stair using both legs.
3rd January woke up with a very stiff leg and by the end of the day my knee was considerable swollen, being sunday night I ice knee and take some iboprufen, monday (bank holiday in scotalnd) knee is still swollen, so my husband (no medical knowledge) suggest me putting the tubigrip back to try to keep swelling down, I do that and by wednesday last week knee is almost back at normal, but still painfull to bear weight and fold.
I've been calling since then trying to get the consultant to see me before my original follow up - no luck so far
I've chated with a couple of sport therapysits on the gym who think I overdid it during the holiday period and should just keep on rehab excercises and rest the leg
Any one, with expirience - again, knowing fully well I do need to get someone to see it - should I keep using the tubi grip? or would it be causing more damage?
Is it normal to feel some sort of electrical pulses where the operation was - feels like it wants to open?
I still have some briusing - I bruise very easy, but should I be concerned?
Is there anything I should be doing/avoiding?
Is it worth contacting my GP in the meantime?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Can't really help as recovery after my meniscus job was uncomplicated. But you can't go wrong with frequent icing. I'd be inclined to go back to the very basic exercises you do right at the beginning and only very gradually step them up. maybe keep the leg up as much as possible.
My knee swells when I ski but not alarmingly. Ibuprofen and ice helps. I'm unconvinced that the op did a lot of good, actually.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Thanks pam_w at least is good to know someone else thinks going back to the basis is a good idea
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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My brother had his removed after it tore off after a couple of hours on a dry slope (connected, who knows). He lost weight, joined the gym, did a lot of leg work around the knee to strengthen it. Iced and rest when swollen, then carried on with strengthening. He had regular physio which involved stretching the joint and manoeuvrability. Just remember you've got less cushioning between the bone now, this will cause some pain for a while.
He gets the odd twinge as he did first morning of skiing in December, gone by the afternoon. Perseverance with strengthening, ice, rest, fish oils is your best bet.
It was only a month ago you had this done, his was a gradual six month improvement. Best I can tell you as I didn't go through it, he also wears a mojo now, advised by one of the consultants.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Thanks CAPTA1N P - seems lots of physio on my future
Will look into fish oils, cannot harm?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Yes, lots of (the right) exercises for knees is a perpetual requirement!
Any excess weight is a big problem for knees.
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@JBean,
If still swollen get the knee checked by a doctor.
Then see a physio ASAP.
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@Jonathan-Bell - it's gone down, but still a bit swollen on the operation site
Did managed to chat on the phone with doctor last night, and was told the hospital will contact me today to see one of his colleagues today or tomorrow
Will check about physio today thanks
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| JBean wrote: |
3rd January woke up with a very stiff leg and by the end of the day my knee was considerable swollen.
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| JBean wrote: |
Is it normal to feel some sort of electrical pulses where the operation was - feels like it wants to open?
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I had an arthroscopy in early August and also encountered the 'electrical pulses' for some time afterwards. It felt as if somebody was using a pneumatic drill nearby, or as if a subway train was running underneath my feet.
I also possibly overdid my exercises (my op went well and I was able to walk, without crutches, right away) and encountered swelling.
And I think that, in retrospect, I mistook 'walking unaided' for 'fixed'...and pushed on too much, too soon.
The reality is that the scar tissue takes some time to heal. I found a superb physio who looks after top class cricketers and is also skis. I listened to, and fastidiously followed, his instructions and, five months later, I've just returned from a week on the slopes. I fell more frequently in the early stages and had to rethink my (lack of) technique but, by the fourth day, I was happily navigating the finest reds that the Grand Massif had to offer. Yes, my knee swelled up, but that was expected because my shock absorber has been removed. But four days after returning home, it's back to normal.
Stick with with RICE and dedicated exercises - your body will tell you when to back off - and you'll hopefully be feeling better soon.
Good luck! 
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Had my meniscus tidied up several years ago with an arthroscopy and my knee has a tendancy to swell and stiffen if I have a really strenuous day's skiing.
I too recommend the Ibuprofen (Cuprofen) tablets and icing the joint. I take an empty bag on holiday and fill it with snow and ice; it does the trick, but limits my apres-ski dancing abilities.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery
Ouch!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Ouch! wrote: |
| I take an empty bag on holiday and fill it with snow and ice. |
We're self catering cheapskates, so I had to make do with a kilo bag of Casino's own brand frozen rustic chips. By Thursday I had to apologise to my knee because I'd eaten them all.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Had a meniscus op at end of May '15 rehab was slow and steady for 4 weeks - at 6 weeks did a 10K run and thought I has screwed my knee (yes I know it was stupid). Then saw the light signed up for weekly physio sessions for 6 weeks then a personal trainer for 3 months - my knee is now great, I've skied for 21/2 weeks and have another 31/2 to go.
At the start it takes time - the meniscus has poor blood supply and therefore takes a while to sort itself out. Don't panic - as other have said use Ibuprofen, ice it lots, rest as needed and do as much muscle exercise as possible.
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Thanks everyone,
I saw a consultant who thinks there was some internal bleeding, but it was controlled by the time he saw me, he refrered me to physio, so I'm just back from my second session.
It seems the knee is a good as you can expect, but I've lost a ton of muscle on the leg, so I have to slowly rebuild now; apparently most of my complaints at the moment is the lack of muscle and my knee tend to either lock or stay a bit folded, but doesn't fully stretches unless I make the effort, so I've also been given a lot of stretching to do (aided with straps and non bearing weight), and also it's very stiff, so againg, stretching and controled movement
I'm back to see the consultant next week and then the physio - we did booked this year ski holiday for early march when we still tought it was the simple strain on the ACL... so bit nervous about what's going to happen, guessing I'll just have to wait and see
I've also started taking fish oils, a vitamin supplement and trying to make sure to have lots of proteins and fruit/veggies on my diet, so hopefully that will help
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You know it makes sense.
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Everyone is different for sure - but in my case I could definitely have skied in the equivalent time frame - as stated I did a 10K run. If you are sensible and take it day by day and are happy to be just "skiing" rather than charging then my guess is you will be fine.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Honestly just now, I'm happy if they allow me to at least have a go on the "learning slopes"
Of course I want to do proper skiing, but if I'm able to, my plan is to start on blues near the resort and build it from there, taking "coffee breaks" and finishing before the ski school (to avoid all the people falling on top of each other on the last run down to the resort)
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