Pegontheroad

I had arthroscopic surgery for a torn meniscus, and my doc kept me on crutches with absolutely no weight on the leg for a month. Actually, I think I stayed on crutches longer than for my total knee replacement.

I know that I went to Europe about that time using a cane, and it must have been connected to the meniscus surgery. It was helpful in that I was able to get a wheelchair to go through security and also get rooms on lower floors so that I didn't have to do so many stairs.

Binthair

I would NOT consider any type of surgery before a major trip, especially overseas, unless it was a life or limb threatening condition and then I would cancel my trip. Given your apparently limited symptoms, I would discuss this with your doctor and/or get a second opinion about the matter. You just don't need the stress and with minimal symptoms you better be sure you need it.

mileaday

I fell on my Asia trip last fall and was told that I had just bruised my knee and it would heal in a few months. It didn't, so I saw a different ortho doc and he diagnosed a torn meniscus and a chipped kneecap. Had surgery at the start of the summer. I am fine on flat ground but still have some problems on steps. Not pain but it still doesn't seem to work quite right. I have been transplanting bushes all summer and have some swelling and discomfort after a lot of digging. I was walking with out crutches days after the surgery but the stiffnes and swelling still continues. I was religious in doing the exercises they gave me and did a couple rounds of physical therapy. After my one hour morning commute I often had trouble getting out of the car so a long plane ride would not have been fun. I think since you aren't in too much pain, I'd take the trip before the surgery. I was told to take aspirin for possible blood clots for 3 months post surgery so maybe flying isn't the greatest idea. I'm leaving for Greece on 9/2 - lots of steps - so I'm hoping it doesn't give me too much trouble.

milliebz

Another consideration. I was a distance runner and had a scope for a torn meniscus. I was in more pain than I thought in I should be experiencing and it was in my calf. I saw my surgeon more than once because I was concerned about clots. He said I was okay. I flew several weeks later and came home with clots in my legs and lungs. Make sure that if you decide to do this that you are clear of clot potential. If there is any indication that you have the potential you can take medication to keep your blood thinner.

suze

I think flying post-surgery is more the issue than how you'll be able to get around on a mended knee after arriving France. For me, sitting 9 hours on a plane would not have been a good option after my procedure.

maitaitom

I don't know what you decided, but it has now been three weeks and one day since my arthroscopy on my knee. I'm walking fine, with very little swelling and almost no pain.

My physical therapist said I should be back to almost normal (no, he doesn'y really know me) within a couple of weeks, but that I should not walk any long distances for a while.

ALSO, my doctor still recommended I not fly for another month or so due to problems that could arise (swelling and, worse, potential for clots).

I know doctors err on the side of caution, but I will heed my doc's warning.

lscott

I had arthoscopy for two torn meniscus (menscii?) last October, a year after tripping over a dog and tearing knee. Had been on 3 or 4 trips before surgery, in pain, limping and walking stiff legged up and down stairs. Had two 6-weeks therapy sessions after surgery, regained mobility in knee but did not get over the pain, was still not able to do stairs well when we went on long trip to United Kingdom in May.
Seven hours on plane was bad! Much swelling, intense pain afterward. (Most OTC pain medicine upsets my stomach; I took ibuprofen but not as much as directed.) While on trip, did not notice much difference in pain and a LOT of walking..streets, stairs, airports...and actually felt better not worse at end of trip. Now that weather is hot, I am almost okay.
Well, that is my experience. it took me months to get back to almost-normal but if you can stand pain and don't mind stiff-legging it on stairs.. I went on long weekend to Chicago just few weeks after surgery, but seems to me you would be tempting fate to go 3 weeks after.

lifes2short

Salut de nouveau, All. So many of you have done a much better job than I of posting to this thread...can't believe I never even dropped back in to say what was happening. Sorry, I've been busy NOT having surgery.

I had already talked myself out of doing the surgery, within a few hrs. of the consult. Everyone's input, pos/neg/indiff., was very helpful in terms of keeping my expectations on a realistic level.Still somewhat in denial that surgery is necessary, so will get 2nd opinion after the trip. Thanks again to all who shared their knowledge and experiences. As some of you commented, it's all about preferring to travel in my known condition, v. the unknown condition. The stress of those 3 recovery weeks, and adding in PT appts.,would have been ugly.

I've done Paris 2x, both visits in a manic, nonstop, mustn't-miss-anything mode. This time around, we'll do it the stop-and-smell-the-baguettes way. C'est une bonne idée, n'est-ce pas ?

To answer Suze: surgeon strongly recommended the procedure be done pre-trip, even knowng the precise timeframe.I think he remembers my amazingly quick (his words) recovery from a broken heel, forgetting that was 5 years ago ! Plus, my recollection is it wasn't all that fast.

For those who raised the question of flying: I didn't challenge him at the time re: flying, but that issue is 1 of the reasons for my not feeling completely comfortable with his recommendation. It's the antithesis of what many posters reported, with their docs 'erring on the side of caution.'

To those still facing surgeries or recovering from various procedures, here's to feeling your best soon. Oh, before I forget, lscott: What a painful story ! But you didn't say how the dog is doing ? ;-)

4totravel

Is this a new phenomenom? I know so many people who have torn minuscuses (including myself - I was told tor est it and that did the trick)?? What's with that? Oh no...is it because my friends and I are all getting older??? Say it isn't so!!

I think you answered your own question - you said you were surpised he recommended surgery - then I would high tail it to another ortho ASAP and get a second opnion!!

My young friend of mine had the same problem - she spent a month in Madrid and came back cured!!

suze

Young people have the problem too, high school football players for example. For others yes it is due to wear and tear thru the years.

You hear about it more as the surgery has been perfected or perhaps refined is a better word fairly recently.

My doctor took a piece of paper and tore it a tiny bit, a little bit more, and then one last tear to illustrate how mine went. Some people it is over time, for some all at once with a more traumatic single injury.

My surgeon said I would be perfectly normal in about 10 days. My GP said 6 months to a year. (In response to lifes2short and her surgeon's prediction). My family doctor came much closer to the truth.

Lifes2short, I would not be rushed. Surgeons always want to do surgery is my experience. For me there was no choice as I had NEVER felt pain like I did before my operation. No way could I possibly have considered traveling. Clearly your tear is not that bad (or not that bad yet anyway), I would not let them rush you, but go and enjoy your trip instead.

Greatsights

Hi

I've been reading your post and all ( many) the replies and I'm glad you've decided to wait on the surgery. You really never know what you'll face around the bend.

As for me, I'm still waiting for that torn meniscus surgery. I continue to do the exercises I was given in Physical Therapy and it works.

Travel insurance - I always buy it!

tower

Life2short:

Happy you're waiting..and get a second opinion, please. I had ortho done 12 years ago and it worked out Ok for about four or five years and then went back to being painful.

I walk with a V.A.-supplied cane and can do ten miles with that support. I can comfortably do the exercise bike for 30-45 minutes..no pain at all.

Consider buying a good cane before you leave (one that bends into approx. 12-inch parts which you can put in the magazine slot in front of you). Walking with a cane will take a significant amount of pressure off the knee...and get you onto the plane first with the rest of those who need help. Why not?

At any rate, have a great trip and forget about decisions until you return...

Stu T.

mari5

Since you are not in that much pain, why don't you wait until you get back.
I made 6 trips to Europe needing total knee replacement(over 3 three years, and two knees).....just avoided doing steps if possible. Wasn't in constant pain, so was lucky.(except when getting up from sitting)..Stretch the leg out for a few minutes first!) One time I had wheelchair through airport (before first knee replacement), but rest of time I walked...just not excessively throughout the cities. We usually had a car , but in cities like Paris of course we walked. Didn't do the metro with all the steps, but walked, rode city busses (fun) etc. Just kept putting off the surgeries (3 yrs apart).Chicken I guess, as had no cartiledge.

BAck to YOUR subject....my husband had wonderful arthroscopy surgery for a torn meniscus..lots of shredding. On the second day he was up and about, third day he worked outside for 6 hrs. Was walking a mile end at 10 days.
Did VERY WELL>! Good surgeon!
After three months he has some more shredding and some pain...and of course they can clean out just SO much without leaving the bones rubbing!. Some miniscus repairs DO last quite a long time.
HOWEVER~~~~~I'd think twice about having the surgery and leaving in three weeks, though I'm pretty sure it is doable. It is ultimately your personal choice. I know a man who had complete replacement and traveled to Italy after 5 weeks......Hmmmm, not sure about that, as the physical therapy would be compromised.!