knee repair

Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith

Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith

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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Well, Friday I went to the orthopedic surgeon. My right knee has been giving me a bit of trouble for a couple of years now. We have tried steroids, but that didn't really help much. He looked at the X-rays and decided that sooner or later, I'll need a new joint. We are going to first try arthroscopic surgery to repair the meniscus and clean up a little trash in the knee. He said it may give me several years before I need a new knee ( or not). I am going to arrange to do it on a Wednesday or Thursday so I can go back to work Monday.He said my knee might be sore for a week or 10 days.....I replied, " Hell, Its sore every day right now."

Any of you fellows had knee work?

My only bitch (I'll get this off my chest) is that they made a 3:30PM appointment for me and told me to come 20 minutes early. I was in the office at 3:05. They then told me that my appointment was for 3:50 and the 20 minutes early was the 3:30 time given. No problem, better early than late. I filled out the paperwork and read some magazines. 4PM came, 4:30 went,5PM....5:30....5:45 (there was only me in the room and two nurses behind the glass......every other employee had gone home). The nurse says in a loud voice (like she was calling out to a crowd) 'Mr. Pelt' (name is Apelt). Took me back to a room and sat me down. At 6:05 the Doctor comes in all smiles and says ," So what is bothering you?" Safe to say I did not tell him what was bothering me about the 3 hour wait. Next time, once the surgery is scheduled, I'll clearly establish that I expect a reasonable wait time, or to be scheduled as the first appointment in the morning (which I usually ask for with any professional appointment).
Stacy
 
Stacy,
I've had 3 arthoscopics on my right knee. One of them was to do the same repairs you're talking about. After the initial soreness and therapy it's like I had a new knee. The weirdest thing is how weak in a short period of time the affected leg gets. 3 days in a brace and that leg is like it's a babies leg. Orthopedic docs tend to overbook but surgery time they're usually right on time (at least the 2 I've used down here.)

Good luck
Will
 
Stacy,

I had me left knee scoped about eight years ago and it is just now starting to give me a little trouble. I thought it was well worth it.

Best of luck, Fred

I did get those five 11/4" X 24" long flex tubes off e-bay. :thumbup:
 
good luck Stacy
My dad had a new knee put in a few years ago bone on bone and then a hip . I could be the next one to go in :(

I just sent you an email on some stuff on this very subject I got today do what you will with it.. :)
 
Hi Stacy,
I Hope you recover Quickly !!!:)
My wife is a PT, She has said in most cases people who have total knees do GREAT!!!!
She even has a titanium knee joint in her truck to show patients.:cool:
I was thinking of turning the joint into a bolster or two...:eek:
She just told me it would be a $8000. bolster!!!
 
Been scoped multiple times both knees and a TKR (Total Knee Replacement) about a year and a half ago, my doctor keeps askin' me if it's worse or better since the operation, so I tell 'em better and he's happy.

I was up and outta the hospital in 48 hours with a TKR on my feet again after 48 hours, my advice, do all your therapy.

BTW good luck.
 
I had arthroscopy on a knee about 6 years ago. It had been hurting for years, but then started getting pretty weak. I am on stairs ALOT in my job. It does get sore still, but not weak. No brace after surgery. I also found out about the best (acording to my Doc) therepy for me was to go up and down stairs. I was back on the job after 6 weeks.

Hope all goes well!
 
Arthroscopy is good Stacey, that simply means that you have cartilage left, its the %left that determines pain levels when in use. I have 4years left to age 55 before the veterans does the promised replacements. I have to take nsaids anti-inflamatorys and a vicodin in the morning to move. Getting old is not for sissy's.... but the pain can be managed.
I wish you the best of luck with your surgery, hey, no more poping and locking is golden.
 
Man, Do I ever hate the Pop&Lock. Stops me dead in my tracks.
Half the joint is in pretty good shape. the other half has a lot of wear, but still would work with a trim job. I'm going to get this done as soon as it is convenient to arrange the down time.
Stacy
 
Stacey,

I've had 3 scopes on the left, 2 on the right. It really is a piece of cake. The first time you will want to use crutches a bit. Icing the knee and staying off it for a couple of days helps. Alternate ice and hot packs or a hot pad. The ice takes the pain out and slows the swelling, the heat dilates the blood vessels to reduce the swelling. All my surgeries were just as yours.

I did have both knees done the same day. It felt so nice I was off crutches in 8 hours. Be careful not to over do it the first 2 days.

The last one I had a piece of miniscus about 1" long by 5/8 diameter torn and flipping into the joint when I knelt or squatted. That one was pure delight afterwards.

After 2 weels start massaging the holes where they put the equipment in. It helps reduce adhesions from scar tissue, which can cause problems after a few years.

If you take a blank VHS tape in, the doc will probably burn you a copy of the surgery. They use a VCR and TV to do it. You'll get to see the inside of your knee and the work that gets done.

Heal quickly,

Gene
 
I had my right knee done about a year ago. I go up and down stairs and ladders a lot at work and I got so when I sat it was had to move again. Lot of pain. Now all is good to go. I took 6 weeks off work but, I get 60% pay while off on medical. Was a quit time to make knives with a rolling stool for a couple weeks
 
My mother had both knees replaced at the same time. She went through all of the rebab/therapy. She said it was painful, but not any worse than what her knees were before the replacement surgery. She did say that it makes a difference to push yourself to do the rehab. If you don't do your rehab properly, you'll have lots of scar tissue and will have pain from then on.

I hope that the arthroscopic works out well and keeps you from having the knee replacement too soon. Knee replacements have been getting better and better over the last fifteen years or so. The longer you wait, the better the available technology will be for you.

Good luck and get well soon!
 
bladsmth said:
Man, Do I ever hate the Pop&Lock. Stops me dead in my tracks.

Stacy
Click to expand...

I thought I was the only one that happened to. Just kills me when that happens! My current doctor just wants me to loose wieght and does not even want to send me to an othapedic surgen. My mom and both of her brothers had thier knees done. all were up and around in no time. Good luck hope you feel the difference. Steven
 
Looks like we are going to try and do this over the Memorial Day weekend. Surgery on Thursday, back to the store on Tuesday. Should work fine.

Thanks for all the info and good words. I am looking forward to having a less annoying knee.
Stacy
 
Stacy
At 6:05 the Doctor comes in all smiles and says," So what is bothering you?" Safe to say I did not tell him what was bothering me about the 3 hour wait.
Click to expand...

Hard to be confident in their professional skills when they act that way isn’t it?

I have had similar experiences with a couple of general surgeons for some toe related troubles.

Medical emergencies can happen when they are responsible for on call duties, but overbooking is just bad planning at the customer’s expense. I find it especially hard to be pleasant when I can hear my doc and another down the hall talking about golf for ½ an hour before coming in to see me.

Hoping it all works out for you; I guess it’s still better than no legs at all…

Steve
 
I had the total knee replacement 3 months ago. The surgery was no big deal. However, the first two weeks of PT was painfull. The knee is getting stronger daily. The only bitch I have is spending time getting the metal wand at airport security. Well, the second complaint is my days as a jogger are over!
 
Stacy, you'll be glad you did it. My wife has been through about every knee surgery one can have, now both are metal. (Yeah, she gets the airport delays too! :D)

First she had the scope treatment, then a "closing wedge osteotomy". Those gave her several years before the total knee replacement. It's nice to see her moving around without the terrible pain. She doesn't have the full range of movement evolution gave her but living without massive pain is such a bonus she's almost ecstatic. Garden time! :D

Good luck Stacy, you'll be glad you did it. If you remind us as Memorial Day approaches, we'll all send "good vibes" your way!
 
I had full ACL reconstruction in September. Was up walking in three days. Still hurts a bit but I am getting around nicely now.

Good luck!

Brett
 
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