Getting knee scoped on Monday

tsb0588 · July 16th, 2009, 10:28 PM

My left knee started bothering almost two months after a couple of intense HIIT sessions. I backed off the cardio and focused on weight training, avoiding exercises that put a strain on my knee. I kept thinking it would eventually get better, and it was feeling almost normal again, but when that huge hard knob showed up on the back of my knee after an afternoon of hiking, I finally gave in and went to the doctor. It was a Baker's Cyst, a symptom of a more serious problem, he said. I'm scheduled to get the knee scoped on Monday, and hopefully it won't prove to be too serious. Of course, the recovery depends on exactly what they find and what they ultimately do, but on average, what kind of recovery time am I looking at? I had an ACL repair about 12 years ago, and I think it was almost three months before I was running again. Obviously, I don't think this is on that level, so I'm hoping it's considerably less. Just don't know what my expectations should be. Any ideas?

**tooncesthecat** · July 16th, 2009, 10:40 PM

A Baker's Cyst might be caused when the knee suffers from something it doesn't like, such as extra friction from arthritis or irritation from a tear in the cartilage. The knee starts to produce extra synovial fluid and this leads to a pocket of this fluid collecting behind the knee.

So to answer your question, it depends on the underlying cause of the knee irritation. Sorry, no easy answer on this. You'll know the cause and course of action after the scope and then your doctor can advise you on the length of time until you can run again.

**A1food4U** · July 17th, 2009, 11:22 AM

I had a similar scope done about 8 years ago, i had severe miniscus tear, when all was said and done they trimmed and removed about 40 % of the cartilage. I was hard on crutches for about a week, another week with a cane and then I started walking. Was back to being active in about 4 weeks. Hope that helps. . .

P.S. I made one mistake... the procedure went so fast and the hospitol anesthetic so good, I left for home that afternoon feeling bullet proof. When Wifey aske d if I needed the script filled right away I said " No, this ain't so bad." so she went shopping and about an hour later I was crawling on the floor to reach a phone to tell her to get to the F-in pharnmacy NOW!!
anyway, that's my story....

**Option1** · July 17th, 2009, 03:53 PM

I've got a possible slight tear in the meniscus in my left knee - didn't respond to physio, but instead of heading straight for an arthroscopy, my doc is sending me for an MRI first. I strongly suspect I'll end up getting scoped to fix it after that.

Symptoms were much the same as your tsb - joint capsule filling with fluid, particularly noticeable at the back of the knee. Mine's down at the moment - I can walk miles, I can do weights, I can swim, I can cycle - I can NOT run nor squat to bum on heels. So possibly not as bad as yours or A1's, I hope.

Neil

tsb0588 · July 25th, 2009, 09:16 AM

The surgery went better than I could have hoped for. Monday they rolled me into the OR at 7:15 am. I don't know what time it was when the surgery actually finished, but I was on my way home by 10:30 am. Elevated and iced it throughout the day, taking only prescription strength ibuprofen. Crutches? I don't need no stinkin' crutches. I tossed those out on the 2nd day and I went back to work on Wednesday. The knee is still a bit stiff and sore, but I'm doing my PT exercises and feel pretty good about the whole thing. I couldn't believe how relatively pain free the whole thing was.

Here are the BEFORE and AFTER pictures.

**A1food4U** · July 25th, 2009, 01:47 PM

Congrats on a clean proceedure!!!!

**Option1** · July 25th, 2009, 04:01 PM

Great that you're doing so well!

Also thanks very much for the report as there's a good chance I'll be undergoing the same in the near future depending on the MRI I have on Monday.

Neil

tsb0588 · August 17th, 2009, 10:39 AM

Just got back from my followup with the surgeon. The knee has been getting better each day and I'm almost "limp free" at the moment. I tried some easy jogging last week, but the doctor said I might want to avoid running. He thought I needed to give it at least a couple more months before I do any significant running. Guess I stick to cycling and elliptical for awhile. I still have the Baker's cyst, so if that is still a problem by the end of the year I'm supposed to go back in and we'll think about the options then. I've been able to get back to lifting, and the doc ok'd me for some additional leg exercises, with the only limitations coming from how the knee feels. So for now, I'm satisfied and feeling pretty good.

**Italianangel** · September 24th, 2009, 12:14 PM

good stuff, I know surgery is always seen as last option etc, and I can see that but only relatively, for me, sugery was my first choice, lets get er done......I had full ACL reconstruct then back in for meniscus trim......my leg is stronger now than my real one, so I think of it as my bionic leg.
I am so glad I did surgery! Its not always so good for everyone though and I understand that there are times it is not a good first option but glad you went for it!

sepkamy · October 17th, 2009, 12:52 PM

Quote:

for me, sugery was my first choice

me too, i think is very good choice