Knee Arthroscopy

[Rosie]

Hiya Sue

Yes, ring them up and discuss it. When DD1 went into Stanmore they asked her about taking the pill and she said no. She has Implanon and when her surgery date came through with only 4 weeks notice she had to ring them up and tell them. They said they would have to check, but then her surgery was postponed anyway. Then she got a cancellation date through at such short notice. On her admission day the admitting Dr and the anaesthetist were both unsure whether they would operate because of the Implanon, but her surgeon said it was OK. They told us that some surgeons may have decided differently. So, definitely worth a check!



Rosie

[Sue New]

Thanks Hannah and Rosie,

I will try to call the ward on Monday just to run the situation past them. As you say, I wouldn't weant to get a date and then find out I can't have the op because of the HRT.

Sue.

[Sue New]

Hi Guys,

I had the date come through for my pre-surgery MRI today for Dec 11th. I called up to confirm the appointment, but they mentioned that it would be in their mobile scanner unit. I thought this would be fine, and when they mentioned I had to go up to the main unit first to check in, I double checked that there was a lift to the 1st floor. They then asked me if I had mobility problems, and I explained I use a walker, but will need to be transferred to their plastic wheelchair to be taken in the scanning room. They then posinted out that the mobile unti probably isn't suitable for me, so they are going to try to jiggle around the appointments and get me a new date. They have assured me though that the appointment should be around the same time.

Hang on.... change that.... I have just had a call from the MRI unit (as I was typing this) and they have a cancellation for tomorrow night at 7.30pm . How good is that.

Now I just need to sort out some transport as hubby is bowling tomorrow

Another thing - I have mentioend this briefly elsewhere, but it seems that since starting a new medication a month ago, i have developed a problem with my blood, and it isn't clotting very easily. I have had a blood test and I am awaiting the results and may need to start taking a Vitamin K supplement. I just hope this dosn't stop me from having the knee op, as the lateral release is known to be an op where you bleed quite profusely. The 1st time I had this surgery, they had to stop the op as I was bleeding so much and my BP went dangerously low. Please keep your fingers crossed for me that I can still have the surgery as planned

Sue.

[Englishgremlin1]

I had a lateral release of the plica when I was 18, at the time I was not diagnosed but it went ok but with a long healing time, they did both knees at the same time. I remember a lot of bleeding so would check first.

[Sue New]

Hi Guys,

I got the date for my knee operation today - March 5th (a day after my Birthday).

Sue.

[Englishgremlin1]

At least you will be able to enjoy you birthday without all the dressings.

[Eloise]

I had a letter from my PCT today. There are actually referring me to a local private hospital for my knee op as the waiting times at the NHS hospital are too long. So should be about 2-3 weeks for the appointment, and if they agree I need an operation it will be 4 weeks after then.

I have heard good things about this private hospital - so looks good

[Sue New]

Good luck Eloise,

I hope your appointment comes through soon and they agree to the operation.

You never know, we may be off work recovering at the same the time at this rate.

Sue.

[Eloise]

Sue - atleast you can have a good birthday party before it, Make sure you ask what time you can keep eating till

Do you think we should have a bendy recovery centre where other not so ill bendies can come and help out - then we can return the favour another time!

I got my letter with my password on and phoning on monday to book the inital appointment Finally after over 2 years of this silly housemaids knee (name for swollen knee - even though I do no housework) I might actually get to the bottom of the swelling.

[Eloise]

Been up to the clinic this morning - extremely efficient I was well impressed.

Saw nurses who took BP, blood glucose etc and then another that went through past medical history, problems allergies. A health care assistant for height and weight (I have grown 1cm to 171) and urine sample. Went for x-ray - different angles to ever before well impressed.

I then went to see the consultant who looked at the x-rays - straight through on the computer. He moved my knee alot and prodded it. He reckons there is a cartalidge tear but wants to know where before he tries to operate so wants me to have an MRI. They only do them wednesdays - so back next Wednesday for an MRI and then Mon 26th to see the consultant again.

All this with an hour, I am well impressed, although a bit miffed it will be a while longer till the op. But really glad he is being through with the MRI. Will keep you posted.

[Sue New]

Hi Eloise,

It sounds like your knees have had a thorough check up. I think it is wise to wait for the MRI before surgery as the surgeon will have a clearer picture of what is going on.

It still looks like we are on track to be recovery buddies

Sue.

[Sue New]

Hi Guys,

I am having my Pre-op assessment today (Monday). I must admit I am just a tad anxious as usually when I turn up for pre-op, they take one look at my long list of existing conditions and the anasthetist gets worried about putting me under a general anaesthetic.

Oh well, not long to go now, hopefully all will be ok this time . I will report in after the appointment to let you know how I get on.

Night, night (I am off to bed now).

[Englishgremlin1]

Hope it goes well for you.

[Sue New]

Hi Guys,

Well, I have been for the pre-op this morning. I very briefly saw the main consultant where he procedded to tell me my knees were "terrible" and then he passed me over to his registrar to go through the procedure. The MRI showed displacement of the patella and a chondral lesion as well as general wear and tear and cartilage damage. The Registrar said the MRI can give them an idea of what to expect when they do the op, but they won't know the full extent of the damage until they are inside the knee. The plan is to do an arthroscopy with lateral release and possible micro fracture. The idea of the micro fracture is to drill tiny holes into the remaining cartilage to try to form scar tissue and fibro cartilage. I did ask the Registrar if the formation of fibro cartilage in someone with EDS would help as the original cartilage is faulty, and he was a bit stumped, saying he had never been asked that question before .

If they do the micro fracture, like Loon, I will have to be non weight bearing for 6 weeks. I was asked if this would cause a problem, and my only worry is that my right knee is still not that strong after having a lateral release in 2006. I guess we will have to see what happens

I haven't seen the anaesthetist yet - he will review all my notes nearer the time, so it will be interesting to see if they clear me for surgery with all my existing conditions. I hope they do

Any way, that's my latest news.

Take care all,

Sue.

[loon]

Hi Sue, i sent you a pm. Just wanted to say it depends where they do the microfracture as to whether you'll be able to weight bear my microfracture was not on a weight bearing surface it was on the back of the kneecap, so i was able to partially weightbear but not allowed to bend the knee and it was splinted for 6 weeks (other than doing my physio within permitted range of movement) until the fibrocartilage had had some time to form. My other knee is not the best and it has put a lot more strain on it which caused more pain but just a neoprene support has helped. Hope my pm helps you, nikki xx