Knee Scope

[zodiac52]

ok so i had surgery on my knee about 7 months ago, an LCL Graph.. and recently it just hasn't been felling rite, so i go to my doctor he schedules an MRI and blah blah then i get referred back to the specialist who performed it in the first place... so he felt around on it for a while and couldn't really diagnose anything by that, so i got to get a scope on it Friday, anyone ever had on of those before, and give me any info on it.. i think it basically them shoving a camera in my knee, but that doesn't sound too pleasant lol...

[Bighoff]

Re: Knee Scope

Getting your knee scoped is no big deal they'll put a tiny hole in your knee and stick this tiny camera in, maybe a few more holes for a few more instruments if they decide to clean it out. You might end up with 2-4 small scars on your knee depending what the Dr. decides. I had 3 scope holes put in my knee about 3 years ago when they replaced my ACL I can't even see those scars anymore. From what you've said I'd bet that it'll be an out patient procedure and you'll be sleeping in your own bed the night you get scoped.

[ehh]

Re: Knee Scope

My doc told me I could have both knees scoped if I wanted to, I have a slightly torn meniscus in both knees from wear and tear over the years (played college bball) and my height (6'8) is part of the reasons as is the squats/deadlifts/lunges I did over the years. Same thing Johan Santana had surgery for last week.

But I'm putting it off. I don't want to come out feeling worse after the surgery, even if it would be done at a place as renowned as Yale. Either of you guys know the damage financially, did your insurance cover it? Since it's not required by my doc I'm not sure it'd be covered.

[Bighoff]

Re: Knee Scope

Insurance coverage depends on who you've got. When I had my knee surgery it cost some where around 25K and I only had to pay around $550, my shoulder surgery that I just had which is under a different insurance and cost around 19K I owe around 2K. Check with your insurance company and see how much you're responsible for. If the meniscus surgery isn't totally needed or you can deal with the discomfort I wouldn't do it. I had most of the meniscus removed when I was 15 and I have chronic pain and was told it would lead to early onset of arthritis in the knee and I'm feeling it already and I'm only 31. Most knee surgeries aren't NEEDED but if your doctor recommends you have it then the insurance company will cover how ever much they'll cover.

[zodiac52]

Re: Knee Scope

im totally covered, i got to keep TennCare because i went to college, so i guess im extremely lucky there.. but even if i didnt i would pay just about anything to get this knee fixed back, im only 19 and would like to continue my college football career as soon as possible, and i was planning to go to Bootcamp for the USMC this summer, but im highly doubting i will be able too, considering you have to wait at least a year after any kind of surgery..

[p_rushing]

Re: Knee Scope

I've had 2 scopes/cleanups and they aren't too bad. You most likely won't need the pain pills, maybe for a day or 2. You'll be back to full strength within a month. I had 3 holes, one higher above the knee and one on each side of the kneecap towards the bottom.

[zodiac52]

Re: Knee Scope

yea, but it sucks because the whole reason they are doing the scope is to see if anything is actually wrong with my previously repaired LCL, so hes doing the scope to be able to give me a diagnosis..he said the MRI was a little suspicious , and he felt around on my knee for a while, and said it definitely was not normal.. so more than likely i am going to have to get the scope, then he will see whatever it is that is wrong with it, then i will have to have the surgery to repair it again.. not to mention i have a root Canal the 15th lol..

[Cyros]

Re: Knee Scope

I had my knee scoped May 2007 for a torn meniscus. Probably the worse I've ever felt personally and I'm probably the only person that didn't bounce back from a knee scope in a 2-4 week period. Recovery felt nothing like what I was told (didn't even walk out of the hospital like I was told). I wasn't really any good till October (spent most of fall camp and the beginning of the season on one good leg). Pain pills they gave me killed my appetite and I dropped 30lbs.

So this past saturday I take a shot to the same knee and it's looking like another meniscus tear. Oh joy.

[zodiac52]

Re: Knee Scope

what is this whole meniscus deal? ive never heard of it before..sounds like it could be just as bad as ligament damage.

[Cyros]

Re: Knee Scope

what is this whole meniscus deal? ive never heard of it before..sounds like it could be just as bad as ligament damage.

It's cartilage and the cushion in your knee.

[p_rushing]

Re: Knee Scope

I wasn't really any good till October (spent most of fall camp and the beginning of the season on one good leg). Pain pills they gave me killed my appetite and I dropped 30lbs.

In my 3rd surgery, they chipped my bone off with the tendon still attached and moved it over. The pain pills that time killed me. I also lost my appetite, had hot flashes, couldn't sleep much. I switched to another one and then was fine. If you have any problems with the pain pills, tell your doctor as you don't want to get hooked and some don't mix well with your body.

[zodiac52]

Re: Knee Scope

ive not had any problems with my pain medication so far, ive not even had to finish a whole bottle with the last 2 surgeries i had, but how long will it be before i would be able to walk steadily on this knee after the scope, cos i have a buddy down from Virginia that is in the Marine Core and he has to leave next Monday, kinda wanted to get out and party a little bit with him this weekend.. but the scope is on Friday..

[p_rushing]

Re: Knee Scope

I would think you would still need the crutches on the same weekend, plus the swelling probably won't be down enough and you could still be bleeding a little. Probably isn't a good idea to go out for any length of time. I think I was on 2 crutches for 2 days and then 1 for a week or so. In both my scopes I had the back of my kneecap scraped and burned to harden it so it took a little while longer to heal. See what your doctor says, but I don't think they would say it would be a good thing to do.

[zodiac52]

Re: Knee Scope

lol i didnt think so, ill talk to my doc, but i mean this doc didnt even give me crutches after my LCL surgery, not sure why, i sure could have used them, i didnt get out of bed much except to go to the bathroom or get something to eat but when i did it wasnt too pleasant..

[Brandon13]

Re: Knee Scope

I had ACL surgery done on Friday and I'm glad I didn't know how bad the pain would be afterward or I wouldn't have had the surgery done.