stiffnes after surgery

[feath machine 39]

Hello people new to this forum and enjoying looking at it.Can anyone offer any advice or share some experiences with me .Had knee athroscopy done on sunday and am suffering real bad tightness in both hamstrings and calves This was even worse after really bad back spasm yesterday morning (maybe sciatca attack)Tell me folks this will improve wont it ,should i rest more or maybe stretch and walk more? When do you think i should do light session on turbo
Thanks Feath

 

[2Loose]

I was told that I would have to leave any real excercise for a fortnight after an arthroscopy...and it didn't sound too bad, but as I haven't had it done yet I'll be watching this thread with interest.

Hope you heal quickly.

 

[gbs]

Yr symptoms may be a simple reaction to enforced inactivity but, seriously, the knee is so complex that I doubt that a fully qualified surgeon or physio could give meaningful advice in the way that you request ie at a distance.

I have had surgery on both knees - open cut and arthroscopy. I recall that the arthroscopy was relatively quick to heal but certainly the first week post-op was a time of discomfort and stiffness generally. Wading in a swimming pool was one of the best forms of recuperative exercise. Good luck

 

[zacklaws]

I had an arthroscopy on my knee back in 2001 and I can remember that before they did the op, they said that as soon as I wake up from it, they would have me out of the bed and walking up and down the ward straight away and by doing this it would not stiffen up, if I did not do it they said it would be six weeks before I got the full use of it. I doubted it, but sure enough, they told me to get out of bed and walk up and down the ward and when they were happy with me they sent me home and I was as right as rain, just a little sore and within two or three days afterwards, it was as if nothing had happened.

But end of the day, every body is different and the op may be simple or more complex depending on what needed doing. I just had some torn cartilage removed, others at the same time as me had there whole kneecap removed and cleaned.

 

[feath machine 39]

Thanks for the help guys .Just to say i had op done at about 4 pm and walked out fairly comfortable at 7 30 felt ok next morning too It was from when back went that the stiffness started .Am feeling better walking than resting ,hopefully body is just sorting itself out after being mucked about with . Keep you posted thanks again Feath

 

[fossyant]

Just had my shoulder done. Yes it will be stiff - don't forget all the soft tissue will get inflamed for a short while as it's been disturbed. Had my shoulder done 10 days ago and am off the pain killers, although it still hurts and it's a bit stiff. Full recovery is said to be 3-6 months generally, and you feel it's been worth it after about 6 weeks. The pain I've now got is 'different' to what I had before - more post op bruising.

Just try and keep it mobile and follow any physio instruction's you've been given.

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

I had a high tibial knee osteotomy 11 months ago and I still suffer from stiffness and numbness most of the time even now. Its partly down to me not exercising enough earier on. I have really been pushing myself now with cycling and the gym and it is getting better. I have been back to the consultant 2 times raising concerns about the stiffness. He thinks that this is normal as I have had major surgery and that I really need to build up the wasted muscles surrounding the knee. I am not sure what your operation involved, but all people are different and I am not sure that I would be that worried about the stiffness that you describe as your operation was not that long ago. My stiffness and slight numb feeling, and the feeling that my knee does not feel like my own knee (compared to my good knee) does not bother me as I am in no pain. It just feels weird.

I was not weight bearing for 2 months after my operation, so I guess this has not helped in the slightest.

 

[feath machine 39]

Cheers guys brings it all into perspective .Will keep stretching and walking (moaning at wife)lol good to have your thoughts will take them all on board.Any tips on not getting bored i can't handle all this doing nothing THanks Feath

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

Any tips on not getting bored i can't handle all this doing nothing THanks Feath

Look at porn, watch some decent tv. I watched all 5 seasons of The Wire when I was laid up. Do the exercise's that your physio has told you to do. get some good books.

 

[feath machine 39]

Perhaps next week kids on half term LOL

 

[fossyant]

Perhaps next week kids on half term LOL

Yeh, my wife was off the first week, so I couldn't sneak out on the bike, kids off this week, so might get next week to myself. I might get another week off yet - have 'requested' a sick note so we'll see.

Can't ride on road anyway, my arm isn't strong enough - pretty sore today - muscles really and overcooked it doing the cleaning.

 

[magnatom]

I've had the misfortune of having three knee ops (all arthroscopic) on my right knee. Damn judo injury! ACL reconstruction, using some of my hamstrings, and two further ops removing some cartilage (not sure I have any left!).

It will take a few weeks to get back to near normal, and its normal for it to feel worse some days than others. Just keep using it and walking on it, and when you can get on an exercise bike. Keeping the muscles as toned as possible is important, but so is not overdoing it. Just listen to your body!

Good luck!

 

[vickster]

I have had 2 scopes on my left knee in the last 12 months, meniscus and cartilage damage falling off my bike in Sept 2009. I did nothing much for 3 weeks after both ops (longer first time as more done), just the physio exercises - heel slides, SLRs, quad sets, glute bridges, wallslides. This time I was back on the static bike after 3 weeks, low resistance 5-10 minutes. My last op was 11 weeks ago, I am now trying to do 15-20k a day (3 sessions) on the static and am building up my road rides - just did 8.5 flattish miles in 41 minutes. My knee is still not right, but it is probably back to its pre-scope state

Best things at this stage for you are the physio stuff, ice and anti-inflammatories. What was the aim of the scope and what was done - this will have a big bearing on recovery

 

[feath machine 39]

Thanks for your response Vickster .At first they feared meniscus repair ,it seems igot away with just a trim .In consultants words my knee was back to prestine condition after what was done .This was in recovery ward straight after op on nhs dont see him again till early april .Not given any other info, just discharged Any views on me doing dragon ride 200k in june Do you think its achievable?
Thanks FEATH