Keyhole Surgery

Mikey · Post by **Mikey** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 1:35 pm

Well, after a couple of years of putting it off, I finally went under the surgeons knife yesterday for a bit of keyhole surgery on a troublesome left knee (arthoscopy).

So I'm now hobbling about with a bandage the size of a rugby ball, looking for the answer to a burning question.

How long 'til I can get back on a rower??

I know a number of FS's have had surgery in the past and was wondering how the recovery went.
The quacks tell me that I'll be walking fairly well in a few days and without a discernable limp in about 10.

Any thoughts

Mike L

plummy · Post by **plummy** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 3:21 pm

I can't help with the knee but I had a Gall Bladder removed via keyhole on 5th Nov 04 and I've just looked up that my first row afterwards was 10 mins on 4th Dec 04 covering a mighty 2157 metres 2:19 split.

So just 4 weeks - though not a good comparison

Post by **Thomas W-P** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 4:05 pm

I think you have to trust your body. I have had arthroscopy twice.

1st time it was like my knee had been attacked with a baseball bat whilst unconscious.

2nd time it was as if I had not had it.

I'd go with doctors advice first and how you feel second.

Mikey · Post by **Mikey** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 5:00 pm

Go with how it feels seems good advice....so far so good...no painkillers required.
Hopefully it will only be a couple of weeks or so.

Gets me out of all the fetching / carrying / general running about over christmas though

Mike L

Wolfmiester · Post by **Wolfmiester** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 7:54 pm

Agree with Thomas' advice, go with consultant's thoughts but mainly how it feels.
Although I will add that I've have cruciate work done twice on my left knee and both times it recovered quite well for getting back to exercise sooner rather than later. Obvioulsy take it as easy as you like to begin with, then build up.
Good luck!
Wolfie

webberg · Post by **webberg** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 1:01 pm

Mikey, as a veteran of several knee surgeries, listen to your body.

Like Thomas, I've had an experience of being very sore for weeks but the last time I had work done I was on my feet within 24 hours, and walking without crutches within a week.

Be careful though. Rowing is repetitive and therefore you will be prone to injury if the soft tissue in the knee is already inflammed. The tendons/ligaments are all a tight fit and a lot of rubbing in a narrower channel is likely to cause problems.

I would reckon on 10 days minimum before any action and then a very GENTLE try out to see how it goes.

Are you seeing a physio? If so he/she ought to be able to advise.

There is a limit to how many times a knee can be repaired so take it easy.