Knee Arthroscopy Recovery: What to Expect & Return to Driving

Question
Dear Margot,

I feel strange asking advice for the elderly, since in my mind I'm still 29, but somehow the body became 60!.
I'd been told that I had arthritis but it was never similar to my mother's arthritis. However, now I have to believe it.

Six weeks ago I had arthroscopic knee surgery, and I can't get a straight answer from my doctor as to how long I will take to recover and to be able to drive again.  I am a private tutor driving house to house. A few students have been willing to drive their kids here, but this can't go on!

I tried driving two weeks ago, just to the post office. Afterwards it became very painful for about 24 hours. I will try again this week, but it is pretty clear to me now that I'm not going to be back even to my previous level of managing to hobble around on crutches for quite a while yet.  At least I could drive everywhere!

I guess my question is how long will it take before my knee is close to "normal"?  (Not a proper question for this list, I know. But I'm hoping you can refer me to some source of information. See below.)  The doctor is no help - he just wiggles out of answering my questions.  I got sent to physical therapy by mistake 6 days after the surgery - that set of great spasms of pain.  He was surprised and told me it was too soon. But now it's been 6 weeks, and I don't see him for another two weeks.

So is this a 6 month process, or something?  Do I gradually get better, in which case it looks like six months, or do I suddenly become able to move and walk well?

I'm an Allexperts expert myself, and I know the questions can be a pain. I know I'm maundering.  But do you know of any books or references or email groups of patients who could possibly give me any help?

Thanks a lot!

Sara

Answer
Hi Sara and thanks for writing,

I'm sorry to hear about your challenges post knee surgery. I did work on an Orthopaedic floor for years and I know we always got our knee patients on constant movement machines the day after surgery to prevent contractors, reduce pain and speed recovery. From what you have told me I would advise finding a GOOD Physio asap and start an APPROPRIATE regime of progressive Rehab exercises; Sports Medicine Physios are often the best for these types of things. Although I don't know the details of your injury or your surgery, but I would expect most knee surgery patients should be mobilizing at least 50% normally by six weeks, and should be almost fully recovered by 12 weeks (again noting I'm not familiar with your specifics).

I have attached a website for Knee Surgery which gives a lot of detail on the various surgeries and what to expect during recovery.

http://www.arthroscopy.com/sp05000.htm

I hope this helps and I wish you all the best,

Margot