Knee Cartilage

[Jerry]

About 6 weeks ago I tore the cartilage in my right knee. Been on anti inflammatory pills for 4 weeks but no real change.

Once get going in the morning it eases and I get around with barely a limp. Too much sitting or driving and knee locks up till I ease if up with moving. Walk like a pirate with wooden leg!! Sleeping is the worst. Keeps waking me up as I move in bed.

Doctor has mentioned keyhole surgery to trim it up but says that can be 8 week recovery and I'm back to see him Thursday am.

Has anyone had similar, was recovery that long? Thinking about putting it of until after harvest.

 

[Badshot]

It's called an arthroscopy, your knee will swell right up after it. Plenty of physiotherapy needs doing and yes it's likely to be at least 8 weeks recovery.
It will be a lot better though. Tried any sports knee supports at all? I use them a lot and find it makes a big difference.

 

[Coldbrook]

Had that op a few years back after tearing a flap of cartilage loose while climbing kilimanjaro (on the way down thank god). Came home from hospital and straight out to pull a calf , driving the next day. Went to a few check ups and all was ok. I think that they allways quote a longer recovery time just in case complications arise. Best to chat with your Doc One thing i do recomend is a knee brace,the type with metal hinges on the side and only do jobs where you are in control ie no handling livestock.

 

[two-cylinder]

I had it done in November.
Recovery will depend on how bad the damage is? and how much remedial work was required.
Put it off until you have plenty of time to recover.

I was driving a car in 4 weeks, but not able to stand on it to do a full days work for 12 weeks.
Remember the time you are sitting around in the first few weeks you will lose muscle strength in the leg and that takes time to regain.
Even now my leg is not back to the full strength I had before.

 

[Badshot]

Mine was a trim up of cartilage and removal of the broken ACL. Bloody football injury.

 

[Jerry]

Thanks, was caused by livestock work, rescuing a lamb from bein tangled up in brambles after jumping in a pond.

Will prob leave it till after harvest is out if the way I think.

 

[Coldbrook]

Thanks, was caused by livestock work, rescuing a lamb from bein tangled up in brambles after jumping in a pond.

Will prob leave it till after harvest is out if the way I think.

I assume you will leave the op till after harvest and not leave the lamb in the brambles till after harvest.

 

[B&B Pig Man]

I had one - was under for about 4 hours whilst they trimmed the cart and put my knee cap back to where it should be.

Recovery varies - but stick to the physio programme, the muscles around your knee will need strengthening properly to give it the full support it needs.

I'm pretty much ok on mine now - although I can't kneel - feels like I've knelt on a small stone if I do.

 

[Jerry]

Back to the docs last week and they think it is ligament damage now, not cartilage, said leave it for 4 to 6 weeks and may sort itself, time will tell I guess!

 

[Ravestar]

I've had 2 full acl reconstructions and trims plus i need another. The longer you leave it the larger the chance of a acl tear. 6 to 8 week recovery period Is dependant on what condition you in physically and how hard you hit rehab. I was more or less good to go in 8 weeks after a acl reconstruction. My greatest regret is not getting mine done as soon as possible and it has cost me a lot in terms of needing more surgeries, missed holidays, playing rugby etc

 

[Jerry]

I've had 2 full acl reconstructions and trims plus i need another. The longer you leave it the larger the chance of a acl tear. 6 to 8 week recovery period Is dependant on what condition you in physically and how hard you hit rehab. I was more or less good to go in 8 weeks after a acl reconstruction. My greatest regret is not getting mine done as soon as possible and it has cost me a lot in terms of needing more surgeries, missed holidays, playing rugby etc

Hmmm, timing does not sound great, just cant do it pre harvest as just too busy!

 

[Ravestar]

Have you had a MRI? GP was useless with me, I had the it might fix diagnosis! Had to beg for the scan and as soon as those results where back his tune changed quickly!

Orthopaedic surgeon could tell it was knackered straight away, didn't even bother with a scan for the second knee.

 

[Jerry]

No, just two different GP's to date, one said Cartilage without even laying a finger on me, second had me on the bed moving me knee in all directions and manipulating it, she said ligament.

 

[milkloss]

I've not had it done but from what I've heard:

Make it clear what you expect your knee to be capable of after recovery of the op.

Ask them exactly what they are going to do and what is the plan if they find an issue they didn't expect. Make it clear how far you want them to go and how you expect your knee to perform after.

Get them to honestly answer how successful each scenario maybe and which ones you are not prepared to accept due to the risk involved.

I'm only quite sceptical beacuse I know of a few that haven't had the outcome they expected when all they where going in for was to shave off some cartilage. The ops ended up being far more extensive and risky which resulted in long term weakness and pain.

 

[two-cylinder]

Do you get stiffness/pain behind the knee?
Can you fully kneel, and can you fully straighten your leg?

 

[Badshot]

Do you get stiffness/pain behind the knee?
Can you fully kneel, and can you fully straighten your leg?

Yes
No
No

 

[two-cylinder]

Lost cause.....
I am
Yes
No
Yes

 

[Badshot]

Lost cause.....
I am
Yes
No
Yes

I know I'm minus the ACL plus a nice chunk of cartilage trimmed out years ago, it spends more time out of socket than in somedays, worst bit is getting stuck under a machine and the fecker goes out, can only get it back in by straightening the leg by hand.

 

[Jerry]

Do you get stiffness/pain behind the knee?
Can you fully kneel, and can you fully straighten your leg?

Yes, seems to be hind the knee cap at times and also on the side of the knee.
Can kneel, but not for long periods
Yes, can straighten it but when been sitting or lying for a while hurts to straighten it.

Once I get going and have walked for about 10 mins then most pain goes and I barley have any limp

 

[jade35]

Push to see a consultant as soon as possible.

I believe there is a new technique for repairing ACL damage being trialled. Link below is to the American research (I hope)
http://www.rdmag.com/articles/2016/03/childrens-hospital-develops-new-acl-surgery-technique

Daughter was talking about this research recently. She injured her ACL last year playing rugby and had the standard operation in January. It has gone well and she is recovering but it is a fairly serious operation. If it works then this new technique will make things a lot less painful and faster healing.

edit - should have added - if cost is not a problem, it may be better to go private for the initial diagnosis.

With Derriford, we were initially told in April the operation would be Aug/Sept 2015. The dept. were very good but everything took so long