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post knee surgery

Posted By: when will i feel better? on 2008-08-24
In Reply to:

i had arthroscopic knee surgery a week and a half ago.  my MRI showed fluid and a medial meniscus tear, but when the doctor got into the knee he said it was very angry looking and inflamed and he couldn't really find anything to be causing that inflammation.  he couldn't even find the tear, but did find some frayed cartilage that he shaved off.  he said he did about 5 laps around my knee trying to find a source of my problem, but did not find it, except for the above mentioned.  my knee still feels stiff and very, very tender around the kneecap.  it hurts when the skin is pulled up or down, the entire kneecap area.  the incisions are healing nicely, but i am still having swelling and pain and stiffness.  it's better than pre-surgery, but it just seems to me that i should be "better" by now.  my doctor told me i can go ahead and do whatever i want to do and let pain be my guide.  it seems like my knee felt better a few days ago and now it seems to be getting stiff again, and it's not for lack of exercise or use.  i do ROM exercises and go up and down steps, trying not to baby my knee.  i keep hoping it's going to just get better but i'm getting just a little disheartened at this point.  has anyone else had a similar experience?  my doctor said he was going to be cautiously optimistic that he "fixed" the problem.  i certainly am trying to be too but this morning when coming down my steps i was walking very awkwardly due to stiffness and pain.  any thoughts are appreciated.


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knee surgery
half days for a week. Should have stayed off the full time but did rest when I at home.
When comptemplating podiatry work the surgeon said no work for two weeks till off the pain meds due to thought processes possibly being affected.
I had bilateral arthroscopic knee surgery for sm
internal derangement, synovitis, chondromalacia, etc. The doc told me I would have "healing pain" that would be worse than the original pain as my patellae learned to track in the proper groove. It took several months before I stopped having pain. I had all kinds of fluid--big bags of fluid flopping under my knees,stiffness, swelling, and heat. For lunch break I'd walk the length of the mall next door and at home would do plies (sp?) (ballet) while holding and cuddling my 10-pound cat. It was a long, long haul, but it eventually ended. Wish I hadn't waited so long for that surgery!

You'll get better. It takes a while.
there was an old post - someone asking about a knee lever - sm
The foot pedal was getting to her (me to), i.e., swollen ankles, soreness, etc., and she wanted to know if there was such a thing as a knee lever/gadget to alleviate the problem. Or if anyone could rig something.

No one had a solution but many said they started working in a recliner and posted pictures of their set up.

was intersting. I myself have built a box with an angle to both raise the pedal and take the angle off my ankle.

Question for those who responded to Lasik eye surgery post
I had one dr. say I was not a candidate for lasik surgery and then this year went in for eye exam and was told that they couldn't understand why previous dr. said no when they felt I was.  I don't know which one to believe.  Also, 2nd dr. said he would do one eye for distance and other for close vision - is this hard to get used to?
I was transcribing a surgery once, the surgery was over and the doctor was dictating
from anesthesia yet.  Anyway, the surgeon dictating stopped dictating and said "Hey Mary - is this one big enough for you?"  It was obvious he was talking about the patient's PENIS!  I thought HOW EMBARRASSING!  I hope they didn't make fun of my anatomy when I got my tubes tied!
New job first, save sick time, then surgery or surgery first?

I’d like to go back to medical secretary work.  I’ve had cortisone shots in my ECU tendon 3 or 4 times and was warned not to have too many or my tendon could rupture.  It’s been very weak for a year or so and my left wrist is smaller than my right wrist.  I can’t type at all with my left pinky so I think it’s ruptured.  I have Word auto correct and Instant Text set up so I very seldom type As, Qs, or Zs.  I haven’t had surgery because I have my own account, no subs, a DD in college to support, and no disability insurance and didn’t want to take time off work for surgery.  I do have medical insurance though my DH. 


 


I’m debating whether to get a job, save up sick time, and have the surgery while getting sick time pay or have the surgery first without any sick time pay.


 


I’ve done medical secretary work before.  I figured if I use Word there I can save their Auto Correct and transfer mine.  If they use EMR, I can make my own shorts to stay away from Q, S and Z.  I could only accept a job where I don’t type for more than an hour straight, which is what I do now.  Then I started worrying about what if I have to use someone else’s computer?  What if I unexpectedly have to type more than an hour?


 


I think I have cold feet about getting a job outside the home after over 7 years at home AND I’ve had cold feet about having surgery!  Can someone help me think this through logically?  I can’t think straight when my feet are cold.


Surgery/Plastic Surgery Transcription
Hello. I am considering taking a position in the field of plastic surgery. Can anyone recommend a way to pick up on the terminology FAST?
Don't know about knee
replacement but I broke my leg (tib/fib) and was able to work once I had the cast on.

The wonderful thing about our jobs is, no commuting!
I know sometimes my knee does cough...

right knee pain
I am not an older MT, but I have been doing this for over 13 years and I just started to notice this last year that my right knee started to hurt, so I change my foot pedal to my left foot, and it really helps, so I have become ambidextrous with my foot pedal.
Fractured knee cap
I fractured my knee cap and had to have surgery on it with several pins and wires in it and Vicodin did not work for me and so they put me on OxyContin and was on it on and off for about 2 to 3 months.  But I did not take it religiously just when the pain got really bad and especially whe I started through PT and had to move that knee cap to break away the scar tissue.  A knee replacement takes longer to heal and recover from than a hip replacement and when I was typing for an Ortho it took up to six months sometimes.  But I just say, don't take the pain pills if he doesn't need them and usually the doc will say, take up to 30 mg a day -- meaning if you need it and a lot of people just think, well he said to take it and so I will.    But I am not a doctor and also recommend that you contact the doctor or NP if they have one or just his assistant. 
I had a knee replacement....SM
five years ago. Worst experience of my life. I took narcotic pain meds for about two months, then switched to Advil and Aleve. It takes quite a while for all the pain to go away. Miserable surgery.
knee-slappin' LOL (nm)
.
Had 2 knee scopes
On the same knee for a torn medial meniscus 11 mos. apart. I've been a fitness maniac forever, so it was all of that stuff. The day after the surgery I went to the gym on crutches and did cardio with the ergometer. My sports medicine doc knew it was pointless to even say anything, but his partner told me "it's abuse" when I had biceps tendinitis. Oh, well. The 2nd MR showed a recurrence of the tear, but my SMD told me that's commonly seen on MR but it's not actually torn. So I did conservative stuff for a month as I recall, and it still hurt. The second time it was basically debris.

I did my PT in the gym with my trainer, but even so, it was the worst surgery to recover from (& I was in good shape, I guess). This is comparing it to all the neck surgeries, too. The reason it was so bad was the wt-bearing.

I hope you do well with it, as many people do. The main thing I would advise you is to do everything possible to not limp. It doesn't take long to teach yourself to walk a new way after this surgery, and I found it annoying to have to go back and concentrate on the "heel-toe" walking. Even when my trainer wasn't beating me up (therapy-wise), I was constantly stretching my quads and hams. Another really good exercise at some point to strengthen is the sitting leg lift. Yes, you'll be in tears, but they're worth it.

Elevating it is still like breathing to me all these years later. The treadmill bothers me, but the StepMill (the moving stairs thingy) is okay.

My guess is that you'll get lots of varied answers. Just don't let yourself get stiff or allow yourself to limp. Those are my 2 main suggestions. I don't envy you one bit.
Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess ..
... that Jesus Christ is Lord!
No, manure has nothing to do with knee pain.
It had nothing to do with it whatsoever, and for all you know OPs patient could have been there for strep throat. Prayer wouldn't have anything to do with that either.

I am a very proud Christian, but the whole issue here is ridiculous. She didn't start a discussion, she just asked a question as to whether it should be in there. There's a simple answer...yes. It was dictated, so yes. It does not require the whole tolerance lecture or have anything to do with beliefs at all.
Learned at my mother's knee.
Literally. 37 years ago she was the transcriber (that's what we were called then) for a 10-man (yes, they were all men) multispecialty group here in town. She needed extra help, I knew how to type and spell, and I had passed high school biology, so she dragged me in, kicking and screaming. I was not given a choice. A couple of years after that, I was hired part time at the OB-GYN office down the street. In 1976 I had my first full-time job, in an orthopedic office. In 1981 I went to work part time at another multispecialty clinic, and part time in an oncology office. That segued into nearly 28 years in oncology, and some more part time orthopedics on the side. Last fall my boss closed his practice, and I went to work for one of the big nationals. I still type for one orthopedist on the side.

With 36 years of clinical experience, TRS took a chance on me, and now they are up-training me into acute care. Actually, the only thing "new" to me, besides the actual dictators, is the op reports. I've done literally hundreds of consults and H & Ps over the years, and a discharge summary is just kind of a truncated H & P, if you ask me; so I'm not sure I "get" what the huge deal is about "acute care."
Any knee/back pain sufferers out there? sm
What are your favorite shoes to wear that don't make your knees hurt?   My back doesn't hurt if I wear Birkenstocks but my knees hurt if I do.  I've tried countless types of arch supports and the ones that help my knees don't help my back.  I have arthritis in both areas and the cartilage in my knees are shot due to degeneration.   Yesterday I wore my Birkenstock inserts I recently got in my sneakers while I ran around Wal-Mart and boy am I ever paying for that today - my knees are killing me!   Any advice would be appreciated. 
Had knee MRI - "erosion of meniscus" results (sm)
as I was told by the nurse who phoned in the results.  I will be referred to an orthopedist for further new.  Anyone had this or any info on it? 
MT work after total knee replacement
I'm having a left total knee replacement next week and was just wondering if any one out there has had this done and if so, in what time frame did you return to transcription.  thanks.
sorry, that first line should read AFTER a knee replacement. nm
x
Knee-hi support stockings, get up at least once an hour,
s
Only one knee hurts, have trouble with full extension
so I learned how to work the foot pedal with the other leg. The more I keep my post surgical knee bent, the tighter the muscles coming into the back of the joint get. I have to stand and toe and heel stretch to work out the stiffness. Summer will be here soon and swimming does wonders for the knees...it always makes my flares go away.
These knee jerk bleeding heart liberals could not take responsibility for their
actions if it hit them in the face as it did with Mrs. Twitty.  The Arubans are sick and tired of her and frankly so am I.  Wash the makeup off your face, take off the false eyelashes and go grieve for your daughter.
how long, on average, average a knee replacement would one be on Oxycontin?(sm)
My DH recently had knee replacement surgery a month and a half ago.  The doctor has been prescribing oxycontin 30 mg this entire time.  Husband has been trying to wean off of it and is down to 10 mg.  He asked the doctor if he could come off it completely and the doc said to "just keep taking it."  His next visit is in two months.  With all the discussion lately about pain medication addiction, is it normal to be on this medication for this long and for the doctor to say "just keep taking it?"  How long should one be on this med?
Should just post all their open positions in one post and only be allowed to post one of those a day
nm
surgery
My son is having it on Friday in Dallas by the doctor who invented it. He has guaranteed it will work for him even with his astigmatism. He said he underwent five solid hours of testing today and the doctor told him to stay away from the 500. per day, 15-minute exam places.
If you do not want surgery,
You can have your dentist make a nightguard for you, and a chiropractor is also helpful for manipulation. For a quick fix, albeit temporary, you can go to a pain management physician for steroid injections into the temporomandibular joint. If treated, symptoms can abate without surgery. Hope that helps.
LOL and even after ALL that surgery...
x
Eye surgery
My son had this done last summer when he was 4. You can E-mail me if you have any questions.
Had surgery
I just had this surgery last week.  Go to the surgeon and have him submit it to the insurance company.  If your BMI is near 40, and/or you have other medical conditions as a result of obesity, most insurance companies will cover it; although some do make you jump through hoops to get it done.  Just have to work with them. 
Surgery

Just to let you know the condition I am in, and I am not looking for sympathy here, but I had a major foot surgery.  I was born with clubfeet.  I had to undergo a calcaneal reconstruction due to bone damage, and I underwent an Achilles lengthening and reattachment.  I was totally non-weightbearing of the right foot for 8 weeks, and then another 8 weeks of rehab.  Again, my doctor did not want me to go back to work yet, but due to the insurance and FMLA situation at work, I had to go back. 


I am just belly aching I guess, but it just seems that this other FMLA person gets away with murder.  I am more than willing to work 4 to 6 hours a day, as my foot withstands it, but it would mess up my insurance coverage, which is the only reason I have stayed at this facility for as long as I have.  Such is life!


 


 


I just had the surgery - sm

I waited way too long before taking steps to stop it.  Good for you for doing this now.  Make sure to get an ergonomic keyboard and mouse.  They have new ball mice (is that right for multiple mouses??) that is supposed to be really good at preventing cts.  Taking breaks and wearing the splints at night are the keys though I think.  Hoping that you can stop this in its tracks. 


IMO, you should have the surgery before
trying to hold down a typing job.  I need some surgery too (different type) and don't have disability insurance.  I am trying to hold out until the stimulus package check comes (I know, I shouldn't hold my breath) and will use it to pay the bills while I am laid up.  I also have health insurance, so that is not an issue, thank God.  Good luck!
Foot pedal control/knee control? (sm)

My sewing machine has a knee control built into the side of the cabinet and I find this very comfortable.  I would like to somehow do the same with foot pedal I use for transcription.  Can figure out how to mount it, but having trouble adjusting it so the 3 pedals are not an issue.  ANyone done this or have any input? 



 


Foot pedal control/knee control
Though I have not had experience with this type of modification, I have repaired numerous footpedals and have some information that may be helpful. Generally, the footpedal is comprised of the primary circuit board, the wiring to the computer, and the three switches for play, rewind, and fast forward. These switches are easily removed from the pedal with a screwdriver. With basic soldering, you can lengthen the wiring to each switch, or even replace them with different switches you can get at a local electronics store. With a little bit of creative engineering, you could mount some knee -controllable switches that could control the footpedal.
Brain surgery... ha....sm

when I thing of some of the doctors I've known over the years, we could probably learn brain surgery before they could learn transcription ! 



 


Lasik eye surgery...
Has anyone ever had it?
Lasik eye surgery
I had it done about 5 years ago and it was AWESOME! I could see better than 20/20 almost immediately after the procedure! After wearing glasses since age 8-9, it was absolutely amazing to be able to SEE clearly!! I'd recommend it to anyone who's dependent on glasses 24/7.
Lasik eye surgery
Hi, I had it 4 years ago, my husband is far sighted and had it done 8 years ago, my sister had it and we are all THRILLED!!!
Gallbladder surgery????????? nm
:)
You swear to never have another surgery sm
because you know exactly what they will be doing to you.
Surgery in India
I saw a clip on TV a while back about this.  It followed an American woman who had a hip replacement.  She was very pleased with her care and the outcome, and the price.
Thank you all, my first back surgery!nm

Orthopaedic surgery
What is the best reference book for orthopaedic op notes?
I had a surgery followed by complications (sm)
that turned into a 3-week hospitalization, about 1 week was in the ICU. When I got the bill it was $150,000...total paid by my insurance company was about $55,000. My portion was $100.00. Don't make too many assumptions based on the bill, it's not an accurate picture.
Plastic surgery at 28?
x
No surgery...it's the hair
Believe me...my hard drive is loaded with pictures of Clay. I've seen him in concert multiple times...many times right up there in the first couple of rows. I've got every performance, every appearance downloaded on my computer. I've looked at the face a thousand times or more. Plus, believe me, he'd have a hard time hiding plastic surgery from the Claymates. It's the same face...the same nose..the same ears...the same eyes.  It's the longer darker hair, down over his forehead like we've never seen it, that makes him look different....and that's had me not working and needing a cold shower all day.  I loved him before (can you tell )....but man, he's got me going even worse with this new look.
I know 3 people who have had the surgery and

all have had complications 3+ years after the surgery.  They were all done in different locations (states) and by different doctors.  All 3 were done open, not laparoscopic because if there were any complications it is easier to fix during surgery.  My niece, who is one of them is now bulemic.  My 2 girlfriends have had tummy trouble since that eventually require hospitalizations to drain hernias, abscess, etc. 


Lap band surgery
Has anyone had this surgery recently.  My insurance says it absolutely will not pay for this but the surgeon says he can get approval from any insurance company with his documentation, do you think this is possible?  Has any one had an insurance company say no and then authorize it later?
Wish I was doing ortho surgery!!
....I like bones better than organs!!