Knee arthroscopy

feelin
feelin Member Posts: 7
edited 8. Mar 2010, 11:12 in Living with Arthritis archive
I've just had a knee op this week, a washout and mend to a tear. All going well but for information after op. recommends no exercise or DRIVING until I see my consultant. That's 9 weeks!!!
For the rest of my body and the ostearthritis in it, I need to get back into some sort of swimming asap, once the stitches come out for me-just gently..
But driving! How can I get to work without driving.?I daren't ask my insurance company cos they'll ask what the hospital say!
How long were other people off driving and swimming, is my question?
I am going to ask the surgery nurse when she takes the stitches out next week. :?:
Thanks for reading, Fee

Comments

  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Fee

    I don't know much about the knee arthroscopy someone may be able to tell you. I've just had a TKR over 2 weeks ago. I was told not to drive for six weeks or more it depends on how I am. I was encouraged to do my physio and to walk with my crutches. I started to go for little walks about six days ago. I started off doing 5 minutes now I can walk for about 15 minutes (with crutches). I'm just making little steps.

    Hopefully someone will advise you soon with regards to swimming, working etc.

    Your GP could sign you off work that way you won't lose any of your benefits.

    Regards

    Sharmaine

    feelin wrote:
    I've just had a knee op this week, a washout and mend to a tear. All going well but for information after op. recommends no exercise or DRIVING until I see my consultant. That's 9 weeks!!!
    For the rest of my body and the ostearthritis in it, I need to get back into some sort of swimming asap, once the stitches come out for me-just gently..
    But driving! How can I get to work without driving.?I daren't ask my insurance company cos they'll ask what the hospital say!
    How long were other people off driving and swimming, is my question?
    I am going to ask the surgery nurse when she takes the stitches out next week. :?:
    Thanks for reading, Fee
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Fee
    My OH had a repair on his knee, and they flushed it out, it says you can drive, when you are confident doing an emergency stop.
    He is self employed, so wanted to get back to work,it was around 6 days, when he got back to driving, but I suppose everyone is different.
    Hope this helps a little bit.
    You takes care
    Barbara x
    Love
    Barbara
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Fee

    I have had three knee arthroscopies but did not have a mend of any tear, but do not drive so cannot help you with that one. I do ride a bike though and never waited that long to return to cycling. There are quite a lot of guidelines on the internet for arthroscopies and starting sport and driving again. One site said driving can be performed for short periods 2-5 days later providing that the knee is pain free and you are able to control the car with foot pedals and make an emergency stop. That makes sense, doesn't it?

    Regarding swimming I read this may be undertaken after 7 days and will speed up the rehabilitation and should be performed prior to undertaking more vigorous sports. You have also had a mend to a tear so be careful as this is not always the case with an arthroscopy.

    By all means ask the nurse, I wonder if she will know, but in the end it is more of a personal decision as to how your knee feels but 9 weeks seems a pretty ridiculous amount of time to wait if you are feeling perfectly ok! Anyway, you usually see the consultant post op, 6 weeks not 9 weeks later . :oops: :roll:

    Luv
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • quietwaters
    quietwaters Member Posts: 288
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Fee
    I had arthroscopys about 33yrs ago (when I was young and fit!) :oops: , I was walking fine but when I got in the car and tried to drive I found I couldnt use the pedals properly. It was about 3 or 4 weeks before I felt confident enough to drive again. I think it probably depends on how you feel in yourself, dont try to rush things though.
    Hope you feel better very soon. :)
  • feelin
    feelin Member Posts: 7
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    [
    Thanks. Remember you are still young at heart! I'm still hobbling on crutches but will have a go in my car next week on the drive first.!
  • feelin
    feelin Member Posts: 7
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Dear Elna,
    Your nos sound much healthier to me. Thanks for your wealth of info will listen to my body as well. Fee
  • feelin
    feelin Member Posts: 7
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Barbara,
    Ta, you sound as though you supported your hubby well. Mine has been great, we didn't quite forsee all the difficulties... But trying not to panic and taking one step at a time.Fee
  • feelin
    feelin Member Posts: 7
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Sharmaine,
    It sounds as though you are doing really well with your new knee! Well done. I'm hoping someone will answer who had a tear to cartiledge repaired but I've had some useful feedback. I hope you've got a project to spend your time on. Why don't you try writing its most therapeutic. This site is running a Letter to your pain comp. I'm going to try to put something together. Good luck!Fee
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Fee

    You are scaring me a little now if you are still on crutches and are going to try to drive the car next week! Eeek! I did not have crutches after my arthroscopies. Perhaps you are being rather ambitious. Out of interest which knee did you have done as isn't it the right knee that you need more for driving? Sorry, I don't drive if that is a stupid question. :oops: If you are taking strong meds at the mo, is another reason, not to try driving too early as well ......

    I wish you well,

    Luv
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • chahoua
    chahoua Member Posts: 29
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi there,

    I had an arthroscopy done on my right knee this time last year. It sounds like we had similar things done - a clean and tidy, trimming off floating cartilage and a general nosy to see how the joint is. I was told the same as you, don't drive until I'd seen the consultant. This was five weeks later. I left the hospital in a wheelchair as my wrist and elbows are badly effected by arthritis that I can't use crutches, so at the time I thought that timescale was ok.
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Fee

    Try and speak to your GP regarding your concerns re exercise etc.

    To be honest I've been keeping myself busy putting on ice packs 3/4 times a day!!! Reading and watching tv. I've also managed to cook a few meals. I may have a look at the writing thing - thanks for the suggestion. I agree writing is therapeutic..... i tend to write poetry when I'm feeling miserable or happy!

    I'm off for a little stroll (on my crutches) along the sea side with OH.

    Take care and i wish you a speedy recovery.

    Sharmaine

    feelin wrote:
    Sharmaine,
    It sounds as though you are doing really well with your new knee! Well done. I'm hoping someone will answer who had a tear to cartiledge repaired but I've had some useful feedback. I hope you've got a project to spend your time on. Why don't you try writing its most therapeutic. This site is running a Letter to your pain comp. I'm going to try to put something together. Good luck!Fee
  • feelin
    feelin Member Posts: 7
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Elna ,
    Don't worry! I have a family around me who are watching me! I just feel guilty for not doing, I suppose. I am eager to get back to normal, whatever that is. The weather is cold but sunny where I am so I should get out there and that'll help. I've been to church this a.m. had a good sing and given it all to God, so there it'll be sorted.Patience is a virtue..cheers Fiona
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Fee,

    Just wanted to say hi and nice to meet you.

    Years ago, and it was as well, they cleaned my knees up and removed the cartilages and well they have been ok ever since so good luck and I hope they can really help you. Take care Cris
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Fiona

    Phew! I shall not worry now. :) :roll: I know what you mean about getting back to normal as I am just over 5 weeks post op for a TKR. :D It is good to that you are being watched over by one and all. Patience is a virtue, you are right, but we will get there in the end, wherever that may be :D:lol:

    Keep singing and posting!

    Luv
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • bailey27
    bailey27 Member Posts: 689
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    I had this done last year and was told to start driving when i felt confident but not within 48 hours of op.
    I was pleasantly surprised to find that I could walk on my knee the same evening after having it done, although people are different and may not be the same for you.
    I didnt drive for about afortnight as didnt want to move the knee suddenly and cause and further damage.I think you have to decide for yourself what you feel up to doing. Hospitals often tell you longer to cover themselves incase something happened.
  • mellman01
    mellman01 Member Posts: 5,306
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Had both my knees done 2 years back, I stayed out of the car for around 3 to 4 weeks but it's up to the indavidual, as somone posted on here if you can do an emergency stop and all the other things then you have got it all covered, I don't think there is nay hard and fast rules on this.