I had it done under local anesthesia with a little added something. I was able to see the procedure on a screen by my side. Very interesting.

Hmmmm. Pain? Not from the surgery, but my knee filled with fluid and blood the evening of the surgery and I've never experienced
such pain. If I could have cut off my leg I would have. I was unprepared for this and had decided not to fill my Rx for heavy duty pain meds. Next time, if there is one, I want morphine at home!!!
The doctor drained the fluid from my knee (about 1/2 cup) and the relief was immediate.

It took me about 4-5 weeks of therapy before I felt normal and I still had some twinges of pain.

This was about 11 years ago. I never got back the full range of motion in my left knee and am unable to bend my knee conpletely. Several people I've spoken with have also experienced this limitation.

Just make sure you have strong pain meds at home if you need them.

Hey Red-
I've had it done 3 times. The first when I was 21, I had it done on a Thursday, and I went back to class on Monday. I had no PT or anything. Took me about a week to bend my knee to full range of motion.

The second I had 4 years later after I tore the meniscus when I fell off a banana boat in the bahamas, but my leg got stuck on a rope or something. Recovery was quick again, but this time I had a few weeks of PT.

The third was 3 years ago 6 weeks after having my 2nd baby. I twisted my knee when I 6 months prego and could barely walk on it for the rest of the pregnancy. This time I had a problem with fluid retention in the joint and it took 3 weeks for it to absorb. I was afraid to have it drained by the doc. Again, I didn't find it terribly painful. I couldn't have PT, b/c this surgery was diagnostic, and they found my entire joint surface had come apart from a previous reconstruction from a bone tumor I had as a teenager, and I needed a total knee replacement. The pain from that surgery was indescribable and made the arthroscopies feel more like just a skinned knee.

Honestly though, I think my tooth extraction was worse than a knee arthroscopy. I guess it's very subjective, since monablair's experience was different than mine.

I've had three knee scopes ... generally speaking, a minor surgery. They won't even put you all the way out, usually, unless you request it. (The last joint operation I had was 2 years ago, on my big toe, and I got that stuff where you sort of wake up/regain memory -- but not feeling -- in the middle of the surgery. Interesting. No anesthesia hangover at all.)

If you follow doctor's orders about pain relief (don't ever let the pain get bad ... once it really starts, it's hard to chase away; keep the pain meds in you), ice (as much as possible! google cryo cuff), and keeping it elevated and rested for the first few days, it's unlikely that you will have any issues.

Then make sure to do PT religiously ... range of motion is terribly important.

I was on a tennis court within a month of my last two scopes (of course, I was in my 30s at that point). Keep that joint cleaned up and healthy so you don't end up having to have the really painful operations later on...

Some people don't have a lot of pain after scopes, but most I think are fooled by the marcaine that they inject in your knee for the surgery. It's a long-lasting local that keeps the pain away until the next day. I have plenty of friends who thought it was a piece of cake until that stuff wore off, so they didn't bother with their vicodin or whatever narcotic they were given. Take the regular pain pills at the beginning and stay ahead of the pain, even if you aren't feeling it, and discomfort should be minimal.

Never had anything like that done, Red, but want to say I hope everything goes well for you. It's amazing what they can do/repair these days! Try not to worry. (I know it's hard not to.)

Red - I was out in CO last May when my youngest had his knee surgery. He had a torn ACL and a very badly torn meniscus (which would have been removed if he was older but that would have guaranteed a knee replacement way too soon so the surgeon did an incredible repair). He is still in physical therapy but that's in large part because his surgeon is a sports medicine specialist and works with Olympic cyclists and skiers - pre-injury to prevent and post injury to strengthen specific muscles crucial to support the repair. Her goal is to have him back on a snowboard in December - safely.

It never hurts to speak with another surgeon just to see how they approach the repair and explain what your recovery will be like. And I'd seek out a sports medicine doc, but that's me. Sometimes with injuries like this people of 'our age' can be dismissed too easily as if full recovery isn't as important as it would be in a younger patient.

You can check out Dr. Beim's website - she has some great visuals to show the surgical process. Click on Patient Education and then hover over Knee - you'll see the menu. Drop me an email if you want - I can tell you all about Ross' recovery for the 10 days post op I was with him, the type of physical therapy he's doing (his first physical therapy was the next day - 18 hours post op) and so on. I have pictures of the torn then repaired meniscus, the donor ACL and the mechanical anchor that holds it if you're interested.

Here is a link that might be useful: Alpine Orthopaedics

I don't know a whole lot about the surgery you're talking about, but can relate to the anxiety about having a procedure of any sort done for the first time. I had constructive surgery 4 years ago and recovery was about 3 weeks. I compare it to having kids. You fear the situation before it happens, but once it's in process you manage. I hope it all goes well and you have a quick and successful recovery!

I'm just chiming in to say that I hope you keep us posted. My right knee needs *something* done. I tore my ACL joint several years ago and since then, it has been problematic and it's getting worse. If I drive long distance, I must stop and walk around frequently, otherwise I can hardly walk at all once I arrive. It's the knee on my gas pedal leg. After I walk around awhile, it seems much better.

I've been doing more than my fair share of driving this past couple weeks and now my knee is bothering me, even when I am not driving. It helps to drive the car where I can reposition the seat height but I have been driving the Prius instead of my BMW. I am looking for a good thin pillow to stick under my leg to help support my knee when I drive the Prius long distances. I bought one yesterday and returned it today.

I don't know exactly what is wrong with my knee. I only went to the ER many years ago when I tore my ACL joint. Never followed up on treatment afterward. It hurts to the left of my knee bone, kind of on the inside of my leg.

I can assure you that they did NOT do a knee arthroscopy under local...
You will need a general anesthetic or a spinal with sedation(still called a GA). Most surgeons just want to do the procedure and don't want a patient awake talking to them. Depending also on the speed of the surgeon you may do better just getting a general anesthetic anyway. The spinal takes about 60-90 mintues to wear off and the surgery may take 30 minutes.
They do inject local because then you won't need to call the MD in the middle of the night. You should take and STAY on the pain meds. IF you get woozy from them then start off taking only half a pill.
The hardest part is getting there, once the IV is started then the hardest part preoperatively is done.
Good luck....

? I know several people who've had knee scopes done under local and watched it being done. Maybe they don't do it anymore, but I've certainly heard of it.

Peyton, my procedure was indeed done under a local anesthetic. And my doctor did speak with me during the procedure, asking if I had a clear view of the screen and if I felt any discomfort.

My procedure was done at an Outpatient Surgical Center, but I could have chosen a General Anesthetic had I wanted it.

I was alert after the procedure and left to go home in about an hour after I was done. I just made a mistake in thinking I wouldn't need the strong meds. Boy! BIG MISTAKE!!

Wow. So much more to think about than I was even expecting. And mine would be under gen anesthesia.......I am quite worried about that, but do not want to be awake either. I will heed the recommendations about taking the pain meds. And that also gives me something to ask the doctor, since codeine in any form does not agree with me.
I've been blowing this off for months, but I'm thinking I need to bite the bullet and finish it. One more thing that concerns ME, but didn't seem to make an impression on the surgeon when I brought it up. Right foot has plantar faciitis. Not bad right now, but have to wear the orthotic inserts. Right knee is the bad knee. Still recovering from stress fracture on top of left foot. (Back in the Spring) But my left ankle is swollen this week. Will I have so many things wrong that the knee won't heal?

Red

Hey Red,

I just went back and asked the physical therapist I work for and she feels that a torn meniscus repair is far easier to recover from than many others. She said that a key thing to recovering quickly and w/ less pain afterwards is if you can get some PT BEFORE the surgery to build up strength and everything else that will be supporting your knee after the surgery.

T.

"She said that a key thing to recovering quickly and w/ less pain afterwards is if you can get some PT BEFORE the surgery to build up strength and everything else that will be supporting your knee after the surgery."

I've heard that, too. Especially when a person is no longer a young adult.

Much luck, Red.

Absolutely PT prior to surgery when it's not an emergency repair. They want to work on the stabilizer muscles on the sides of the knee and quads.

Well, my doctor didn't even mention that, but I need to call tomorrow and make the pre-op appt, so I will ask about that. I would have never even considered it without your comments.

Red

Good luck!

The best thing for your plantar fasciitis is to have knee surgery! ha, well, sort of. FIrst time I had pf, the doctor said he could cure that by stapling my butt to a chair for 2 weeks. It happened to be the same time that I had one meniscus operation ... I got cortisone shots in my feet (other stuff like night splints, too), knee surgery, rested for a couple of weeks, and I've never had pf again. I've done other modifications, too, but it seems to me that taking it easy, icing, elevating, all that, could be really GOOD for a stress fracture and pf.

I have NEVER done a patient under local for a knee scope. Perhaps a spinal or epidural but not a local. Just impossible for the way they bend that knee laterally away from the body.

There is no such way to "localize" the knee... perhaps you had a lower leg/femoral block. Most people don't remember much after the initial sedating drug is given. so perhaps you had a spinal without any other meds. The lower body is numb so you would not feel any pain. Just telling it like it is....

Peyton, would I have been able to walk with absolutely no leg numbness only an hour after surgery if I had been given a lower leg/femerol block? And that's what I did. Actually I walked to the bathroom about 30 minutes after the surgery. I wasn't groggy, nor did my leg feel numb.

Now that you mention it, there was a time during the surgery that my doctor asked if I was feeling pain in my knee because of the way my knee was being bent and because of a very tight ligature around my leg just above the knee.
But it was a feeling of strong discomfort, not excruciating pain.

This doctor still offers his patients the option of a local anesthetic.

Best wishes for you, Red.

So, first, let me say thank you for the links, the information, and the support. I had my surgery yesterday morning.........and while the hospital is wonderful, the nurses and staff were caring and amazing.......I Never want to go into a hospital again for anything. I may add "No Hospitals" to my Advance Medical Directive card!! It was like a bad case of claustrophobia for me, almost the whole time. And coming out of the anesthesia was miserable. I am the biggest baby, I know. The cold chills freak me out.

He did the lateral release, the removal of the torn meniscus, and some cartilage shaving. Next wk, at my post-op appt, he's going to show me pictures! Yikes. I think I will take pictures of my updated kitchen to show him! Both my DD and DH came with me and it did take two people to get me in and out. She works for a doctor and made everything better by talking me through stuff, explaining procedures, etc.

I am in an immobilizer today and not much pain. Taking Darvocet and it seems to do the trick. I've been using a walker today to get around and I seem to do ok. Both DH and DD were worried about leaving me home alone, but Mabel and Sawyer are caring for me.
With your prodding, I had asked the Doc about pre-surgery phys.therapy. He seemed surprised that I even mentioned it. And he said we will see if I need PT at the appt next week. He specializes in these surgeries and I hope he did a good job, but he has a perpetually surprised/nonplussed look on his face when I ask questions. I am going to be moving this knee as much as I can when I get to take off the immobilizer.

And for those of you who have graced the 'foundations' threads, I want you to know that I fixed my hair this morning, did my foundation, eyeliner, shadow and pulse-perfection mascara. Lined my lips and applied a neutral lipstick. Put on a bit of Bijan perfume and started a load of laundry. It's 11:15 am and I am sick of t.v. and the computer.

Now what?

Red

Here is a link that might be useful:

Red! I didn't follow this thread after the first day and didn't realize you had scheduled the surgery - well now - had it!

My mom and dad have both had knee surgery, I think they were both just sedated and had the leg/knee numbed. My dad probably drove the poor doctors crazy - he LIKE looking at all that stuff and asks 101 questions. LOL General anethesia makes me sick to my stomach.

Such cute caretakers you have! I hope you continue feeling and healing well. Take it easy!

tina

Well, if you're taking sedatives, I suppose you can't drink. :)

Have any DVDs you've been putting off watching because DH wouldn't like them? Books or mags?

Happy you came through with flying colors!

Oh I just love how chatty you get when you're drugged ;-)

Hope you heal fast and don't get too bored, kiddo. Want me to send you something? Books, trashy magazines, oatmeal raisin cookies?