Got an MRI done on both knees. Not good

[Sparky]

I got the results of my MRI on my knees. Apparently i have torn cartilage in 3 or 4 places on in my left knee and multiple cysts in both knees. Apparently some are quite large. About an inch in size all around the joint and cartilage. What am I in for?

[Robb]

A scope, 3 small cuts on each knee. You'll be sore for a few weeks. chances are that's it.
I've had 2 complete ACL's and a number of miniscus cleanups. As long as they arn't drilling to promote scar tissue to replace miniscus, it won't be bad at all. Up and around on crutches the same day. Do what they tell you to do.

[Sparky]

That doesn't sound to bad.

[Bailey Guns]

I saw lots of knee surgery patients at PT when I was rehabing my shoulder. They were having a helluva lot easier time than I was. I've never had knee surgery but have numerous friends that have. All have recovered nicely and said it was worth it. For whatever that's worth... Good luck.

[izzy]

I've had three knee surgeries, I have to agree with the previous post in that it's a few days or so and yore good to go. Just listen to the PT and don't try to push it to fast.

[Erni]

Any of you with partial meniscus removal here? How is the quality of life afterwards? Can you weightlift "heavy" or is that verboten?

[Waywardson174]

If no one's told you. Do all the PT. Do the PT homework. You can make the perfect surgery unsuccessful by not pushing your mobility afterward.

[Ramsker]

Any of you with partial meniscus removal here? How is the quality of life afterwards? Can you weightlift "heavy" or is that verboten?

I had a lateral meniscectomy in my right knee in 2001. Wasn't what I was expecting going in (was supposed to be a cleanup) but it was a really old injury and apparently the meniscus wasn't salvageable. Anyway . . . it really hasn't affected my activity levels. I still pretty much do whatever I want . . . martial arts, heavy weight lifting, biking, softball, etc. I tend to avoid jogging, though, as that does seem to make the knee hurt more than anything else for good reason. I hated running anyway. But as far as general activity, it's been largely a non issue. I'm sure at some point, that knee will wear out, but I'm almost 50 and feel fine.

[Great-Kazoo]

2 words............ SECOND OPINION. Based on your other health issues, or what you posted about. What may be considered run of the mill surgery for most, might not be so for you.

Healing time, / recovery are all governed by ones overall health.

[rondog]

Get one of those ice bag things (like you always see in cartoons on the hungover drunk's head, looks like a hat), put in one bottle of rubbing alcohol, then two bottles of water, it'll freeze up as very firm slush but won't freeze solid. It'll still freeze cold as hell, but it will be fairly soft and moldable, and PERFECT for knees.

I've got one that I filled up in 2005, it's been in the freezer for 11 years and is still soft and moldable. Snapped the ACL in my right knee, and had two meniscus tears in the left, so I've had arthroscopic surgery on both knees. It really wasn't a big deal, but the ice bag helps with swelling.

You'll need to do the PT though, to keep your knees from getting stiff and to make sure you retain full range of motion. Ain' no thang.....