Blew-out My Knee

[Less Sleepy]

Yup, I just got back from the doctor, and it appears that I have a torn medial meniscus. I'll be scheduled for an MRI in the next day or two (wish insurance would speed up a bit) and decide about surgery then, but it looks fairly likely. At least I can walk now, which I couldn't a week ago. It was most inconvenient to have it happen 650 miles from home when we were trying to get my son situated for his college classes, therapy, etc. (he has some learning disabilities).

Bummer.

Anybody experienced with knee surgery on xPAP?

[coffee]

ouch. I've had two knee surgeries this year, torn acl and minisci in both. I got hit by a car when I was crossing the street (with the light, in the crosswalk, etc.) I was sure to tell the doctors and the anesthesiologist about the OSA. Because of the OSA they like to monitor you after the operation. I was able to arrange morning surgeries and avoid an overnight stay, so no xpap needed.
Be prepared for a few months of physical therapy afterwards. It's no fun, but very important.
Good luck!

[Billinseattle]

Most knee surgeries (except total knee replacements) are now done with spinal and epidural anesthesia. Even with these, you'll get some sedation and your airway will need supporting in the OR. But post-op in the recovery room, this means less groggy recovery time than with the traditional general anesthetic. They'll need to know about your OSA and have your PAP device in the recovery room/PACU... but perhaps not an extended monitored stay in the hospital.

Sorry to hear the bad news...good luck getting it fixed.

Bill

[Less Sleepy]

Thanks. I feel lucky. Only the meniscus is torn. No tendon or ligament damage. The doctor offered a knee brace, but since it's only for comfort and I'm not in that much pain now, I opted out of that. As long as I'm not in pain (like I was a week ago), I think I'm better off maintaining maximum mobility, and the doctor agrees. I didn't really have a specific injury.

Did you have your surgery under general anesthesia, or did you have an epidural?

[Thrasher]

I had my knee done last year.
Only had a local and of course a little something in an IV to keep me relaxed.
Watched the surgury on a screen, the Doc called it "knee TV"
and chatted with the Anithesiologist throughout the whole thing.

Felt no pain during the operation and no post op nausea or grogginess because there was no "going under" with a general.

I know this would not be for everyone but they let me have my choice
and it all went very well.

Of course if it was anything but an extremity they were working on, I
would have had to have a general.

[rested gal]

Dang, Less Sleepy. Sorry to hear that happened. Hope you have a smooth recovery. Step carefully while you're healing!

[snork1]

I had a torn meniscus repaired in my knee about a year ago.
I made sure to tell everyone and anyone that I was using CPAP. They had me bring my machine although I never used it.
I have had a spinal before, with no problem, for a hernia repair but for some reason it didn't work out this time.( I suspect the anastheologist was screwing up. So after screaming in pain as they kept jabbing my spine with a needle, they put me completely under. Since they "tubed" me when they put me under, it was basically the ultimate CPAP, so I woke up quite refreshed, albeit with a slightly sore throat.

The good news is that I recently did a 18 miles hike (4000 feet of altitude gain) on that repaired knee and it held up quite well.

[ozij]

Great news Snork.

Sad to hear of you accident, Less Sleepy.

I must admit I did a double take when I saw the suject heading. For a semi-half second there I thought we were having a new thread on the bad side effects of the air blowing machine....then I saw your name.

I hope everything works out well for you.
Take care
O.

[Phillip]

Sorry to hear about your knee Less Sleepy. They are working miracles in orthoscopic surgery now days. You might find what they do to fix you better than CPAP!

I will say a prayer for you, and you keep your chin up!

Phillip

[Less Sleepy]

Thanks for your support, everybody. My husband had forgotten to turn on his cell phone yesterday, so I hadn't been able to get in touch with him until he got home. He did the supper dishes, and hardly let me lift a finger. Have I mentioned what a great guy I'm married to (like maybe 200 times ). That definitely lifted my spirits.

Had a tornado touch down about 20 miles from here last night. I ducked out of the chat-room because of the lightening. Katrina has definitely worn out her welcome.