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surgery success

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John V.
Admiral

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USA
559 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/13/2003 : 22:10:43

I had my right knee re done on Thursday. I have been hobbling arround since I streched badly during a ski clinic in January. When I had an MRI it showed a tear in the medial meniscus. I thought I could wait till the end of summer and before ski season next year. But scrambling over the boat and crawling around on my knees in cramped space made the thing hurt so bad that I could hardly walk. Didn't see how I could survive for six weeks in the North Channel with it popping and clicking with stabbing pain. So we went ahead and did the arthroscopic surgery. when they got in there were two tears both the medial and lateral meniscus cartialge were torn. Now repaired the knee feels great! I can't believe how quickly I am back on my feet. today just three days after the operation I was out putting a new swim ladder on the stern. Climbing up and down is a bit slow but I'm ready to tackle the keel. I was surprised how much better my knee feels even though there is pain from the incisions. Motion is smooth with no catches or pops. It doesn't feel like it's going to give out.

Those of you who have had this opperation know how great it is to get your mobility back.

John V. Nin Bimash II
77 C25 sk/sr #153

Edited by - John V. on 04/13/2003 22:12:02

Edited by - on

allencl
Navigator

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USA
143 Posts

Response Posted - 04/14/2003 : 01:52:33

Best wishes for a speedy recovery, John!

-Chris on "SPIRIT" C25 SR WK #5644

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 04/14/2003 : 07:54:11

John,
Glad to hear your surgery was a success. I love hearing stories of a successful procedure. I hope your recovery is complete. Did your doc put you on any kind of physical therapy regime?
Your story was quite timely.
Yesterday I lost my balance while carrying an armload of tools off my 25 parked in the driveway and had to jump off the ladder. My knee hurts like hell right now. At least I have a late start at work today. I'll be on my feet most of the day doing anesthesia. I wonder if I'll have some arthroscopic knee cases to do.

Frank Gloss
89WK/TR

Edited by - on

ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 04/14/2003 : 14:27:58

I had a total knee replacement left knee just under a year ago, and am absolutely convinced I would have to have become an armchair sailor only, had it not been done. LOTS of PT really helped, although I whined about it at the time. Still do a full set of knee exercises about five times a week. Be sure to keep up the PT to strengthen the area around the knee. Hope you have a swell recovery and can dance the hornpipe, ron srsk #2343 Orion SW FL

Edited by - on

NuNees
Navigator

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USA
125 Posts

Response Posted - 04/14/2003 : 16:30:14

I bought my first boat last September based on the sucess of my TKR surgeries. I've replaced both with Titanium, the most recent was just a year ago. (hence the handle 'NuNees') I suffered for a lot of years with the pain from just walking and climbing stairs. I finally gave up and had the first knee replaced 2 1/2 years ago. What convinced me was the pain of just moving the joint with no weight applied....Then I waited to do the other until it too became impossible to deal with. Based on the willingness of the legs to climb and step up and down I bought the boat....I figured that they will give a good 15 or so good years on the boat...by then I'll be 80...the rest of me will be worn out too...
The only advice I have for anyone interested is pay attention to the physical therepy.....it is vital that it be kept up to date. With new knees you can rebuild the rest of the body. But you have got to keep the PT current. Then the pain will go away.
Good Luck! Fair Winds and Pain Free knees.

Bill Jaworowski (NuNees)
MoonBeams C25 SR/SK #4953 Lake Carlyle, IL

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John Bixby
Navigator

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118 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2003 : 15:42:54

GREAT TO HEAR. I HAVE THE MRI NEXT WEEK. SAME SYMPTOMS AS YOU DESCRIBED. HOW LONG WAS THE RECOVERY, AND DO YOU HAVE TO DO PHYS. THERAPY? NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.
JOHN ON MS ACHSA #77

Edited by - on

John V.
Admiral

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USA
559 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2003 : 00:19:04

Hi John, Having skied for more than 250 hours this season my thigh muscles are in great tone and strength. That may have contributed to a swift recovery. I may also be part mule and just not notice how bad I am hurting. I think recovery has a lot to do with the type of injury. I had torn the medial meniscus and the lateral meniscus and the flap of cartilage and the tear were causing quite a lot of pain, but didn't change the basic working of the joint. Having that cleaned out made the joint work better mechanically and that I noticed right away. I did not tear or strain any connective tissue nor did I damage the ACL which is a lot harder to recover from. My knee was tight with little side to side or sloppy movement. So my recovery may be quite different from someone with a different type of repair. I was on my feet about two hours after surgery and very carefully walking in the outpatient recovery area. It took about two days to recover from the general anesthesia. I spent the time with my leg elevated and Iced constantly. My surgery was Thursday April 10, and I returned to work the following Monday.
I tire easily right now and continue to teach seated with my knee up and iced. The knee is still a bit swollen but I have a good range of motion and can bend the knee more than 90 deg. I do 100 leg lifts three times a day and am doing knee bending exercises while lying on my stomach. At this point (day 5) it is painful to ride a bike so I may have to wait a bit to do that. I can't run at present, nor can I climb or descend stairs easily. But I do feel that what ever pain I am experiencing is going to be less day by day. I think things will be great at 10 days.

I hope your MRI goes well and if you have damaged your knee don't hesitate to have arthroscopic surgery if that is what is called for. My incissions were so small and they glued the last layer of skin, so I have no stiches and no scars. keep up the Ice and do the PT.

John V. Nin Bimash II
77 C25 sk/sr #153

Edited by - on

MattL
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2003 : 00:38:03

I use to bike a lot and ski, but since marrage and kids have set in neither activity have been persued greatly. Occasional bike ride. Last year I was climbing a stupid little step ladder to get a VCR down for a fellow teacher and I hype extended my good right knee. The MRI showed torn cartilage. I went in for surgery on Friday, home on crutches that afternoon. Saturday used the crutches, Sunday had one for moral support, Monday bopping around as if nothing happened. The doctor didn't perscribe any PT, just a few drugs for the pain. Still got those for after bad days at school.<img src=icon_smile_evil.gif border=0 align=middle>. It is trully amazing what can be done for our aging bodies. For the record I'm 44, had my ACU ripped out in college, the medico at the time said I'd have a sore knee for a few weeks, Cartilage cleaned up 15 years ago, and re constructed the ligament about 12 years ago. The admrial is the one with injuries, broke bones 5 different times. She use to ride horses, no injuries with sail boat.

Matt/Brigitte Loeffler
E.C. Rider
Cat 25 86'
FK/SR _/)

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2003 : 16:32:35

I'm having my MRI tomorrow, Thursday. Probable medial meniscus tear. Also have patellar arthritis. Probably need a scope.
Since I do anesthesia for lots of surgeons I picked out one of the best of course. I told him I previously hurt my knee in the gym doing squats and now it hurts when I bike but I'm not going to slow down at age 52. He said great.
Surgeons much rather work on atheletes than couch potatoes. So do we anesthesia folks.

Frank Gloss
89WK/TR

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2003 : 10:15:28

Hah!!! It hurts reading it......I heard a popping sound and felt excruciating pain while swinging a blonde over my shoulder in college......knee looked like elephant man about a half an hour later...got one of the first "scopes", they pulled out a piece of cartiledge, three pin holes....drove home that evening.....no PT. It was a bear dancing on crutches though. Ocassionally skiing I'll notice that the "bad" knee is not as mogul friendly......also, driving long distance, if the leg is in the same position (the gas pedal leg) for hours it'll ache a little. Switch legs for a while and move it around it's OK....(can get confusing if you want to hit the brakes....careful)
Now, 20 years later, still going strong, never worry about it.

Good Luck,
Oscar
<img src="http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/Images/familypics/LKforumshot.jpg" border=0>
Lady Kay 250 WB #618
In the driveway in Behtlehem, PA ready to go anytime.

Edited by - Oscar on 04/17/2003 10:17:28

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2003 : 18:59:50

Whatever happened to the blonde?

When I lived in Sarasota I dated a lady who was an arialist in the circus. She was quite the athelete.

Had my MRI today.

Frank Gloss
89WK/TR

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2003 : 19:04:00

Whatever happened to the blonde?

When I lived in Sarasota I dated a lady who was an aerialist in the circus. She was quite the athelete.

Had my MRI today.

Frank Gloss
89WK/TR

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2003 : 19:48:42

Dropped her.......literally.<img src=icon_smile_blush.gif border=0 align=middle>

Oscar
<img src="http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/Images/familypics/LKforumshot.jpg" border=0>
Lady Kay 250 WB #618
In the driveway in Behtlehem, PA ready to go anytime.

Edited by - on

John V.
Admiral

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USA
559 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2003 : 19:52:06

This has become a very well read thread. I thought I'd give a ten day update. Very little pain at this point I even went riding my bike with my 9 year old today. I am so glad I had this operation. The pain before was quite bad, but now I can move about quite easily.
All of your posts are very interesting. I wish there was a blonde involved in my injury but alas only snow and high speed.

Let us know what the several MRI's show. I sometimes forget how much athletics are involved in sailing. I certainly remember whenever I take out the laser. If there is a good blow my knees and abs get a good workout.

John V. Nin Bimash II
77 C25 sk/sr #153

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