Eric's Knee Surgery

A few weeks ago, Eric spent a week in Colorado, helping other Star employees build a new cabin in Manitou Springs. While there, he injured his knee, coming home with a swollen right knee and bruised right ankle. After a week of watching him limp around, I contacted our friend Lindsay who is an orthopedic PA here in Manhattan. She had him come in that afternoon to see the doctor. After several xrays and an MRI, they determined he had torn both the medial and lateral meniscus in his right knee. They immediately schedule surgery for today, saying the way it was torn was very risky for him to go any longer, for fear of worse damage or pain should he hurt it more. We were prepared for the worst type of surgery/recovery and were pleasantly surprised once the doctor came to talk to me after surgery. Initially, they told us that they planned to repair the medial meniscus and cut out the lateral. Apparently, it's a longer surgery and tougher recovery when they repair it. But the placement of the tear meant they'd have to cut it out rather than try to fix it- the repair wouldn't hold and it wouldn't be able to heal. The PA told us they cut out approximately 90% of the medial meniscus and 75% of the lateral. Although this is a quicker fix for now, there is a much greater chance Eric will have arthritis sooner rather than later in that knee. SO- we'll be on the lookout over the next few years for more problems to start up. They expect him to be putting weight on that leg over the next few days and to complete physical therapy through the middle of January. Not so bad, considering we'd been thinking he'd be unable to move it or put weight on it for about 6 weeks.

He did really well after surgery considering this is his first one ever (not an old pro like me!). He got sick right after coming out of anesthesia and again when they got him up to walk around on his crutches. But once they pumped in some IV Phenergen, he was feeling much better. We got home later this afternoon and he slept until dinner time, only taking pain meds once. I've had the ice on it off and on, and he hasn't complained about pain at all.

He wouldn't let me take any pictures at the surgery center, but I snapped a few this evening once he was finally awake for more than a couple minutes. (And I took pics of the card Makena made for him while at school today. :)) Hopefully I can get more once the wrap and dressing come off on Friday.