Modern Vespa

Hey, I just had my left knee scoped on Thursday. I'm sure someone else out there has had the same and I'm wondering how long I'll be off the LXV?

Of course, Doc will have a say in this, but I'm just wondering what other people's experiences were... is my riding season over?

Ihad a partial knee replacement in Febuary and was riding in April. I teach he MSF rider course and did three class in June ,July and August.Work hard at rehab and ice often and you'll be fine.

A lot of it really depends on what they did during your arthroscopy. Did they just look and found nothing? Did they remove a fragment of a torn meniscus? Did they debride damaged meniscus, clean up a bucket handle tear of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus?

Depends on a) your age; b) your fitness/strength level; c) how extensive the surgery was and d) how committed you are to doing your Physical Therapy.

The main thing to worry about is the stability of the joint.

When I was 40 I placed 9th in the Masters World Cup Criterium Championships (cycling) in October, got my knee surgery in November, was competing in Roller Races by December. I was fit.

When I was 50, I got my shoulder 'scoped. I was not nearly as fit or strong. I got lazy about my PT and it ended up being months before I felt "normal".

So, it's (almost) entirely up to you how long you need.

P.

Oh, how true. About 30 years ago, I had a meniscus tear repaired with a scope. Coincidentally, a running back on my favorite NFL team had the same thing done, the same day. 2 weeks later, I was immobile on the couch watching him play. Recovery for me was long and brutal, but things have improved since then, I hope.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery. I was atypical.

My left knee was operated on last June to fix a ruptured Quadriceps Tendon.

I was off the scooter for a couple of months (and off driving my car too...it's a manual and I couldn't operate the clutch )

I had to wait until they let me set the brace to allow my knee to bend a bit, and until I felt my leg was strong enough to support the scooter at a stop.

Unfortunately, I've never fully recovered so I still carry a folding cane in the pet carrier...patience...patience.

I'm 45... excercised regularly until about 3 weeks ago as the pain got too bad. They "took care of" a torn meniscus and some "osteo arthritis consisent with that of a 45 Y O male." (How's that for saying I'm getting old?)

I guess I'll find out more at the follow up on Friday.

Thanks!

Essentially, you can figure this out for yourself based on the amount of residual swelling and pain that you have. If you have little pain while walking and you're able to fully straighten and bend your knee you're probably good to ride.

I can't remember but i don't think it was very long. Tore mine when i slipped on the trail during my lower Annapurna trek It really hurt. Once yo can bend your knee without any problems and weight bear on it you should be good to go. See what your Doc says. Good luck.

How to they "take care of osteo arthritis"? I am 47 and have moderate to severe osteo arthritis in my lower back. I've been told there is no "treatment" for that. Inquiring minds would really like to know!

I was off my MP3 for several around 2 months after my shoulder surgery this year, plus I didn't ride prior to the surgery. I had a torn rotator cuff and part of my collarbone removed because of bone spurs. The tear was I believe around 70-80% through. I was one of the youngest patients that my doctor has done this to and was in fairly good shape. I have been what my physical therapist would say as a model patient and it still took me a while to get back on.

If I felt discomfort I wouldn't ride until my shoulder felt better and then next time I reduced my riding next time to avoid straining my shoulder. Best advice I can give and others gave, take your time and make sure you are ready. I know the urge to ride can be strong but if you damage the repair you might not ride for a lot longer than if you would have waited.

I think they "shaved" off the bone growth (if I understand it correctly).

I'm guessing it's easier to do an orthoscopic procedure on a big joint like the knee rather than the tighter joints in the back??

The time before ridding is up to you and how you feel. Bending is good for it. But long rides with the knee in one position isn't good unless you stretch it while riding. I had one knee scoped and walked on it the next day. I was just off work for a bit. I've had both knees replaced in the last few years. Two hours after the replacement, I was walking. The thing is to keep your knee moving when possible.

I've had each knee scoped. One at age 45 and another at 55. Was back to light hockey practice within a month and back to competition a week later. I went the very heavy physical therapy route. Possibly the kind of physical condition that goes with playing hockey 3-4 times a week made for a speedy recovery.
I had a few broken bones and another 6 surgeries during that part of my life. I was always so crazy to get back on the ice, as soon as the swelling was down I was back into the skates.
With a straight-forward surgery, no torn stitches or complications, I'd guess you could hold yourself up after 3 weeks or so.