Anyone had a knee op? Worried!

ellierose

Hi,

It's been a while since my last post!

Now 29 and still coping with RA on a daily basis. Anyway, latest MRI on swollen knee has led specialist to request I see a surgeon to get the synovial membrane removed. (Knee has been a persistent offender since 2006 and had not responded to meds or injections to any great extent).

Has anyone had this op? Any experiences you could share? Recovery time? Outcome etc?

Would be really grateful of your input...

Thanks

skezier

Hi Ellie,

I haven't had this one but just wanted to wish you luck and hope they will come up with a plan and help you.

have you got the appointment through yet if not I hope they don't keep you hanging around too long. Cris x

tjt6768

Morning Ellie, not 100% sure what that op involves, but I have had a few arthroscopies and another one where they removed carteledge.. I am waiting for surgical consult too at the minute..
I just wanted to wish you all the best and tell you not to stress too much over it.. Sometimes these things need to be done, recovery can and usually is an individual thing too..

Be well, hope you are not left waiting too long..

julie47

Morning Ellie
I just want to wish you luck with the op.
I haven't had this done, so I can't answer your question but I am sure some one will help you soon.
Hope you are not waiting too long for your consultation.

Take care
juliepf x

dreamdaisy

I have had two open synovectomies on my left knee. I still have problems with it, it still swells and only last week I had to have it drained again but that is all connected to the arthritis, not the op. I presume I still have some joint lining in there, so although the op may help it may not necessarily spell the end of your joint trouble.

The first op was a huge one, but that was becuase my knee was 27" in circumference and contained five years' worth of effusion, both liquid and solid (it had set over the years). The scar is 10.5 inches long and my knee is a mess. Hopefully your knee is considerably smaller and less damaged, is there a chance it could be done by keyhole surgery? That was my ortho's plan when he first saw the knee (early 2001) but by the time the op came around that had to go out of the window. The op was done at the end of February 02 and such was its success it had to be done again in June 03 - not his fault, we just didn't know at the time what was wrong with me.

The second op was much easier in terms of its scale and recovery time. After the first one I didn't work for about six months (I am self -employed) and had physio twice a week during that time and then various other things such as ultra-sound and hydrotherapy - I think after the second I was back to work after about two months and the physio was weekly for about four.

My arthritis was left to run riot for five years whilst various docs told me that the fat left knee would sort itself out - as a result the damage is irreversible. Hopefully you are a very different case and the operation will help. I suppose I am pleased that I had it done, no-one can live with a knee that is over two feet round, especially when the other one wasn't! I wish you well and I hope it helps. DD

PS Go for a summer op, if you can - the recovery time is much more pleasant if the weather is better and brighter!

tiggernut

Hi Ellie,

I had a synovectomy about 15 years ago. It was a minor op and as far as I remember recovery was minimal. However, the results were short lived. I was pain free for about six months then it came back with a vengence I'm sorry to say. I then had both knees replaced.
Hopefully it will work for longer for you.
Good luck,
Anita.

barbara12

Hi Ellie
Sorry I cant help, but I just want to wish you good luck with it, hopefully you can do lots of homework on whats best for you.
Love
Barbara x

ellierose

Thanks for all the initial comments and the suggestion to go for a summer op It's definitely going to be keyhole and I guess I'll find out more when I see the surgeon.

27" though DD? I can't begin to imagine how horrendous that must have been. I thought mine was bad!

As much as I am worried about having an op it will be nice to have some relief (if only temporary) - maybe that will help with more restful sleep too. Yeah, it' ok to dream...!

Thanks again

E xx

dreamdaisy

I had keyhole on my right knee in November 2005 (remember the tip about summer ops? So NOT good having an op in November) and that was an absolute doddle to get over. Utter piece of cake. I think I had a couple of weeks off work and no physio (I knew by then what to do) it was lovely. The very best of luck to you, I am sure it will all go swimmingly well. Let us know when it is and how you get on, please. DD