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Limitations after Arthroscopic Meniscus Surgery

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Posted 6/17/2013 12:28 PM (GMT 0)
My 10 year old daughter just had Arthroscopic Lateral Meniscus Surgery, left knee on 5/30/13. For the first 3 days after surgery I her icing and elevating 24/7. On the 5th day she went to her first Physical Therapy appt. Her range of motion in her left knee was significantly better than she has ever had. Her recovery process is coming along wonderfully. So good that I have to slow her down. I am constantly having to remind her not to run and skip, take it easy. She recently had her stitches removed. They said no swimming or baths for another 3 weeks. I am wondering why they don't want her to swim? What is the reasoning behind this? Does anyone know?
I would greatly appreciate any insight you may have on this particular surgery/recovery.

Thank you

Mary
Posted 6/17/2013 1:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Mary. Welcome to the forum.

1. Swimming is even more effort than running or skipping. It's just not weight-bearing. Swimming will put a lot of strain on the tendons. The joint had to be blown apart hydraulically to get the tools inside. It needs time to heal and for the swelling to go down.

2. The docs probably are concerned about the skin tearing or pulling open when it's soft from getting wet. An infection could be a disaster.

Eventually though, swimming will be great. My son had a nasty infection in the elbow joint, needed surgery to clean it out. At home with IV antibiotics. He was in a cast for several weeks. Doc told me he probably wouldn't get his range of motion back. As a swimmer the kid recovered completely - strength, range of motion.

Best wishes for your daughter's recovery.
Posted 6/17/2013 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
Alcie,

I am sorry to hear about your sons experience. Glad to hear he has recovered completely.
Thank you very much for your insight and knowledge to my situation. This is a great forum, source of support and knowledge. I am very excited to make good use of such a wonderful opportunity!

Thank you again.

Mary D.
Posted 6/18/2013 9:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Me and welcome to the forum. Sorry to see such an injury in a child so young but children are so resilient that in a way there's a really good chance the repairs will hold and the surgery will be successful.

It sounds as If your doing everything right and the healing process is coming along Well.

The water issue has more to do with the risk of infection then aanything. If you understand the process of the surgery the scope actually makes a tunnel from one side of the knee to the other and even though the wound site is closed and staples /stitches are removed out there will be some internal as Well and this tunnel like path may take weeks to completely close. So any little opening even one you may not be able to see could risk a path for bacteria to enter and water is the perfect transport method.

It's just not worth the risk.

Good luck and hopefully your child will be good as new soon.
Posted 6/18/2013 12:24 PM (GMT 0)
I had the same surgery but right knee in 2007. Was "resting" for two weeks after the stitches came out then right back out playing softball competitively. I had to wear a brace for a few weeks afterwards so I wouldn't damage the knee again but it healed up quickly with out much issue. Though in the winter time I really feel the cold in that knee. It really aches and I have to warm it up at times. Other then that no lasting side effects just a perfectly working knee.

Post Edited (mthixton) : 6/18/2013 11:02:45 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/19/2013 11:39 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds like she is doing great. I got more range back after I had a torn section removed from my right knee and the pain went away immediately. Well except for the 3 holes, but that's different. I was scheduled for 4 weeks (2 sessions a week) PT and was released after 3 sessions.

Take care,
Bill
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