Arthroscopy in my left knee

Update

As I have mentioned before, I consulted our GP on 3 May, and was off work on both days 3 and 4 May. I visited the Orthopedic Surgeon Dr KP Swart at St Georges Hospital on Friday 7 May. I tried to work on the Monday. I was booked on from Tuesday 11 May to Friday 14 May by Dr Swart.

I returned to work last Monday the 17th, but I worked very short days. The couple of days off work and the rest meant the world of good to my knee. It was actually not a good thing that I had to go back to work.

After I went to see Dr Swart that Friday, I also had a pre-op examination and interview. I had to obtain an authorisation code from my medical aid and I was told what to bring with on the day of the op (yesterday 20 May. I also received an exercise chart showing and instructing me how to exercise the operated knee for rehabilitation purposes.

Dr Swart explained to me in his surgery that three holes are made sort of in a triangle shape on the left, right and I think the rear side of the knee. A small camera is then passed through each hole in turn. He would then check on a monitor the condition of the cartilage and clean away loose debris or shave the cartilage smooth remotely. How clever!

The Big Day 20 May 2010
I had to report there at 6.00 am. I had nothing to eat or drink since 10.00 pm the previous night. I was in the ward at about 6.20 am.

Preparation
My heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, bloods sugar level, and urine was tested. An ECG was done to check my heart function as well. Everything was OK, except that my blood pressure was on the high side - the reading was over 170. My left knee area was shaved - this hospital use baby powder and not a soapy lather. Then betadine antiseptic was smeared over the whole area.
The anesthetist came around later and they offered me a tablet to relax. I had to place it under my tongue.
The last thing I remembered was that I was wheeled to the operating theater waiting area at about 8.00 am.

Recovery in the general ward
I awoke in the general ward, with a drip on my arm. The nurse said my blood pressure was low at just over 90. I was also given a special solution intravenous for nausea, at my request. I felt terribly nauseous. I had a nice meal later, when I was feeling better. Dr Swart came to see me and said that my left knee interior was very red, and he booked me off work for 3 weeks. I will only return to work when the schools re-open after the extended June holidays !!!

I have a booking to see Dr Swart in 2 weeks time.

I was picked up at the hospital by a colleague of mine. On our way home we picked up a painkiller and an anti-inflammatory from a pharmacy.
My colleague lent me his crutches, as he has had 3 of these ops already. The biggest mistake he made the first time was that he sat down after the knee, with the intention of giving his knee a rest. He told me that the rehab exercises were vitally important for a complete recovery.

I will go for a short walk and do my exercises later today.

See you.
PS Dr Swart emphasized that the walking is important.

C u soon!
Tommy

PS I will post a pic or two soon!