My name is Marilyn Baker, and I have horrible allergies. I’m 42 years old and have been suffering from allergies since I was a child. I have seasonal and environmental allergies. Allergies plague me year round. When I was young, my parents even moved to a dryer area in the hope of helping me. Over the past eight years, I have done extensive research both through doctors and online. I have managed to come up with some combinations that have helped me a great deal. My allergies aren’t gone, but they have become manageable. I do have to have allergy shots, but I also use some natural remedies. I am happy to be able to share my findings with you here on my blog. I hope you can find some of this of value.
You fell and twisted your knee, resulting in a torn piece of cartilage in the knee joint. The orthopedic surgeons recommend arthroscopic surgery to repair the damage. This is a surgical procedure done in an outpatient clinic, so you won't need to stay in a hospital. Here is what you can expect from this procedure and the beginnings of your recovery at home afterward.
The Outpatient Clinic
Once you've check into the clinic, you'll speak with a doctor about the anesthetic. A local anesthetic may be injected into the knee so you'll feel nothing during the surgery. They may suggest a regional anesthetic which numbs you from the waist down. You'll be given the choice of a light sedation, so you'll be unaware of the procedure. But you may choose to stay fully aware during the surgery so you can watch it on monitors in the surgical room.
Once the anesthetic takes effect, the surgeon will make two small incisions over your knee joint. A small tube containing a camera will be inserted into one of the incisions. Another tube containing surgical instruments will be inserted into the second incision. The surgeon will guide both tubes to the damaged area in your knee joint.
Once the tubes are in position, the surgeon will observe the joint from monitors in the room or through microscope eyepieces connected to the camera. The surgeon will repair the torn cartilage with the instruments in the second tube. When the repair is completed, the tubes are withdrawn and small bandages are placed over the incisions. You'll then be taken to a recovery area.
The Recovery Room
You'll rest in the recovery area while the anesthetic wears off. The doctor and staff will check the bandages to make sure there is no excess bleeding. When the surgeon is satisfied that you are having no ill effects from the surgery, you'll be released to go home.
Before leaving, you'll get a prescription for pain medication and perhaps an antibiotic. You'll receive instructions on how to monitor the incisions for signs of infection. You'll also be instructed on the amount of weight you can place on your knee when walking with your crutches. This will depend on the level of damage to your knee and the amount of repair required.
Finally, you'll be given a follow up appointment to see your doctor in a few days.
Recovering at Home
If your doctor is satisfied with the progress of your healing when you go in for the follow up appointment, they will start you on a course of physical therapy. This will span several weeks and will happen in two phases:
For more information, visit http://www.towncenterorthopaedics.com.
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