knee arthroscopy advice please

[Thekormachameleon]

yesterday i was advised that i need a double knee replacement, i’ve declined this due to my age (43) and i feel my symptoms are manageable albeit unpleasant. we agreed on a double arthroscopy as an interim measure in the meantime

has anyone had this done ? can you tell me whether it was done u see general or spinal block ? what was recovery like ? pain afterwards ? how long before you were up and about and back to work etc

many thanks in advance

I had one years ago, done under general back then and was no problem at all, barely any pain and just a couple of tiny incisions, recovery very quick and easy. I was late forties and it gave me about eighteen months respite from pain until i had knee replacement, had both knees and hips done eventually so a bit bionic but honestly best thing ever as i can carry on life completely pain free now. Dont be scared of the knee replacements, they are worth it.

Think i wangled two weeks off work but honestly didnt need it.

thank you so much for the reply. that’s really encouraging. it’s all come as a bit of a shock. well not a shock as i knew there were major issues but i thought i had more time before surgeries were needed

I had one in my late 40's. Recovery was quite rapid apart from getting an infection. That was swiftly dealt with though. It certainly helped me. I gained another 11 years or so before having a knee replacement. Mine was done under general anaesthetic.

11 years before needing replacement would be incredible. glad to hear your recovery was quick too, thank you

@Thekormachameleon

You are so young, there are other new, innovative options to explore, as one example, many others searchable online

thank you. unfortunately i don’t have the money for private options

I had one done in January this year, to repair a torn meniscus. General anaesthetic, absolutely no pain afterwards, home the same day. I had some stiffness and aching for a few weeks. I was signed off work for 4 weeks and couldn’t drive for that time. I do still have some pain now, but not as much as before, so I would say it’s been partially successful. But when they doing the op, the surgeon found arthritis in the knee, so it is likely that which is troubling me now.

bumping in case there’s any more advice

I have had both done but not at the same time, recovery will depend on what damage was done. My right knee I had all meniscus removed and my MCL had snapped so that was trimmed back. That first Op took 8 months of recovery to get full bend back and required major pain killers. I need a full knee replacement.

Left grade 2 meniscus tear trimmed back and bakers cyst removed. With this one I full bend back before I left hospital that day and was driving just after a week.
I now manage on 1 diclofenac and the occasional paracetamol for both. I no longer lift weights at the gym and do yoga/walking instead.

Had one 2 years ago for painful torn meniscus. General anaesthetic. First three days after were a bastard pain wise and I was on a load of painkillers. Signed off for two weeks and couldn't drive in that time. I followed the exercises to do at home religiously but was still seeing the physio three and a bit months later due to stiffness and some discomfort at times. Totally fine after four and a bit months.

thank you, mine is due to inflammatory arthritis so i’m not really sure how that’s likely to affect the recovery

I had one on 4th June. Partial menisectomy, chondroplasty and micro fracture/drilling. General anesthetic. Pain minimal initially. Has ramped up since I started doing physio exercises. Also lots of swelling still.

Ask for an occupational therapy referral if it is causing you difficulty in functioning around the home/doing what you need to do. Most people only get to see an OT after surgery, but there is scope to have your independence improved preoperatively if you are willing to have some equipment/adaptations.

You should have a grade. My right is 4, most severe and left is 2. It will say on the letter/MRI results. Is this your cartridge/meniscus? I’m surprised they offered knee replacement as for my right knee they want me to hold off as long as possible 55+

I have two torn meniscus and have had multiple injections. I was lined up for surgery privately. However I lost 18kg and went from obese to normal weight range and do Pilates twice a week. I don’t need surgery now.