Knee surgery - any positive stories please?

I tore my ACL back in the "dark ages" of knee surgery around 1982. At least that's what I call them. The advances now a days are fantastic and I'm sure you'll have a great outcome. I've had mine scoped a few times since then. They've cleaned up my meniscus and a few bone bone spurs as well. I've tried and still try to keep the other muscles around it strong with strength training. Also, not be a gloomy Gus but as you get older look foreward to some aches and pains from it. As well as some arthritis I'm sure. You'll also be able to tell when it's going to rain. You beat up your knee pretty good there and it's going to be a tough road for awhile. From your picture you look like a young woman and should have no problems bouncing back. It's tough being laid up for so long. But, keep a good attitude and don't slack on your physical therapy. Keep your head up! I know that seems like forever when you talk to your doctors. But, it will go by quickly once you start your Rehab. I'm curious though. The keeping your leg immobile with a brace is suprising to me. Usual protocol that I've seen is to get that knee bending/moving after surgery? I've seen people put on a constant motion machine (like a brace that moves your knee). Not saying your doctors or their treatment of you are wrong. I'm also not a doctor or passing judgement, just wondering? If you ever want to talk more about it, add me as a friend. Best of luck. You can do it!!

A temporary setback that's all. Sometimes you can get injured doing something good for yourself. Yes, the rehab will get you back going towards getting healthier. Onwards and upwards!!!

I had all the cartlege taken out of my right knee when I was 14 yrs old. As my orthopedist said "Back then they didn't leave anything in there becasue they didn't realize you might be needing some of it later!" So I've got complete bone-on-bone arthritis in that knee. The good news is, I'm 51 yrs old and I work out (try to) 5 days/week- twice with a personal trainer and cardio on an elliptical all 5 days. I started riding an exercise bike in my 20's and never stopped until they came out with the elliptical. Better for weight loss, ok on the knee. I cannot use a treadmill at all- always causes pain, so you may have to limit your running (pounding) from hereon in. But you will recover, and probably quickly too, as the other gentleman stated, because of your age. You may want to ask your Dr. about Glucosomine Chondroitin. I've been taking it for years and I swear it is the reason I have very minimal pain in my knee.

I know it's hard to sit around and wait for something to get better. The time will go by quicker than you'll realize. Just take this time to read some good books, catch up on your favorite DVD's, really hone those computer skills or better yet, spend time with loved ones. You'll be better before long and with a positive attitude and some good hard work (you sound like you're up for that), you'll have very little problems as you move forward. Good luck!

I have had 3 surgeries. Torn ACL and meniscus. "Back in the Day", they didn't reconstruct unless you were a pro athlete. So, after a few years of wearing the "Forrest Gump" brace to play sports, I decided to have it reconstructed. Then there were some issues (which you don't want to hear about), and a 3rd surgery to help correct that. Yep, knee surgeries can be brutal. BUT, after traveling down that road of pain and frustration, and REALLY wondering if it would ever get better...it did. Rehabs a b*tch, but, I am an example of how the right doctors and PT's can do wonders. I kickbox (not the "gym" kind, actual physical contact), dance, etc. and have had very few problems since. So, hang in there. And...if at any point you are unsure of what your doctor is doing, ask questions...and don't EVER be afraid to get a second opinion!!!!!!!!!

Hi there,

Have signed up today so I can hopefully offer some positivity to you.

Following a non-spectacular skiing fall last January, I thought I'd just sprained my knee. In November I played netball for the first time since school and just collapsed on the court. My knee finally gave out. Transpired I'd snapped my ACL completely. Anyway - I had surgery in February where they grafted a new ACL using one of my hamstrings. I was on crutches (putting a little weight on my knee) for about a week, then they wanted me to walk on it.

I was initially told I wouldn't play netball for 9 months, but I have now been given the go ahead to start training again (and it's only July - so well pleased).

The best advice I can give is... what ever the physio tells you to do, do it and do it each day as it REALLY does make the difference in your recovery. Some days you'll think you can't be bothered, and that's OK. You know your own body and listen to it. I now have FULL range of movement and bend in my knee (I can kneel down with my heels touching my butt no problems, which I never thought I'd do again at first). The only thing I'm working on now (daily) is building up strength in my hamstring, as physio's been focusing on the knee all this time that now it's the hamstrings turn to 'feel the love' .. LOL (just to clarify, I am the furthest thing possible from a gym bunny [hate the places] and did not step foot in a gym once for my rehab!!)

Anyway - keep positive and know that you WILL be back to normal in the end !!!

Hope this helps !!

xx

Oy vey! You posted on one of my threads that you injured your knee and were waiting to see a specialist...I'm sorry that you have such extensive damage. I am a physical therapist, and I have seen countless people after knee surgery so I can tell you that you are going to be just fine! The fact that you were so healthy and strong prior to your injury combined with your young age will help you bounce back very quickly. Regardless of what your ortho might say, it is CRITICAL that you get yourself to a good sports med PT (as in physical therapist NOT a personal trainer) as soon as you are able to after the surgery. Don't simply go to whover he sends you to, do your research and find a good one that specializes in sports medicine. (your doctor can only prescribe PT anyway, it is illegal for him to tell you where you have to go for it). There are a lot of generalists out there and while they are all perfectly qualified, I believe you will recover faster if you go to a specialist. Good luck! And feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions/concerns. etc.

Yeah, your concern about having your knee in a fixed position for that long was what I was concerned/mentioned in my 1st post. You don't want to end up with a "frozen knee" or "frozen joint" from not being able to bend/move it. Just a concern. If your not familiar with the term you can easily search for it on Google.

I had knee surgery in Aug 07 and it was so worth the pain and immobilization for 6wks! I had recurrent patellar dislocations so they opened my knee up (looks like a total knee replacement scar), and did a lateral release as well as raised my patella and did something to which they rescrewed it into my tibia. Not sure of the exact name for the surgery. I was in quite a bit of pain the first week, but it got progressively better and yes I was super weak after the brace came off, but physical therapy worked to strengthen pretty quick. Having no knee pain, and a joint that tends to stay in place has been great.

Edit: And don't feel bad about needing help from your mom! I stayed with my mom for the first week postop and she had to help me do almost everything. She had to help me shower, dress, bring me food/water/pain meds. The combo of narcotics, new crutches, and pain took the wind out of my sails thats for sure. After that first week it was easier to get things done myself, and a few weeks later my arms were so strong from the crutches that I could lower myself into and of my bathtub all myself :-)

I helped my younger sister get through post knee surgery. She had issues with her patella. From what I recall, there was basically no cartiledge left and bone was scraping bone. So, it was fairly invasive and she was definitely layed up for a while. She now works out regularly and doesn't have any major known issues. Granted, she no longer plays competitive volleyball or soccer but she doesn't seem to have to be concerned about jogging or doing "fun" activities. She stuck with her PT and did exactly what they told her. She was mobile before too long and getting stronger. She actually had a stimulation pack. The pads were placed around her knee and the electric current helped rebuild the muscles she lost while immobile for so long. The one thing I can tell you she's still not comfortable with is her scar. Again, her's was very invasive and a very large scar. It ended up becoming a keloid. Years later the color is starting to fade but it's still too obvious for her. She wishes she had started using mederma or vitamin E directly on the scar tissue as soon as her doctor allowed her to. I know that's a very vain thing to be concerned about but I can tell she isn't the most comfortable in shorts and bathing suits. We hardly notice it anymore and she's stunningly beautiful with or without a scar but it still seems to be a sore point for her. Just a thought but definitely focus on your PT and getting stronger - not the possible scarring. I didn't mean for this post to focus on the asthetics of the human body so sorry if it did!