Knee Surgery and Diving

[Prater]

I am having my 5th and 6th operation on my right knee soon. The first is an ortho to clean it up and look for tears, the second will be an implant since my miniscus cartalidge is practically gone, thats the plan anyways. I am 32yoa and too young for a complete replacement that is really needed. My question is how long after the required therapy should I wait to dive? I know there will be air trapped in the joint after the surgery, and that is my concern. I will also be going through some back and stomach strength therapy for my bad back. All of this is from a motorcycle wreck in '91.

Thanks in advance

 

[cyklon_300]

fairly shortly after surgery.

Actually, the Dr. said to wait ~3 weeks before swimming or diving, maybe I fudged it a little and went at 2 1/2 weeks...diving was easy, walking over rocks and boulders down to the water geared up was the tricky part. Crutches might've helped...

My surgery was not as involved as what you're having, tho...I didn't qualify for the transplants as there was not enough cartilage left to harvest the plugs from...

Your Dr. or PT should be able to advise you on when you'll be ready for diving.

 

[pdoege]

Bicycle accident and other stuff in '95. My knee was very atrophied by the time I got the surgery.

It took a lot of therapy just to get me back to the point where I felt Ok going up steps. So, I don't think that lingering gas will be an issue.

It took about 6 months to get to the point where I could frog kick properly.

I hear you about the bad back. I still have a painful muscle back there. Grrr.

Anyway, I would ask the Dr., wait until therapy ends, and then see how it feels to walk around with tanks. Then I would dive on it.



Peter

 

[adshepard]

Had cartilage removed and total ACL replacement. Doctor asked that I wait three months before diving in order for the strength to be there so as not to injure what he repaired.

Good luck with everything.

DSDO

Alan

 

[Prater]

Thanks for the advice,

I was debating on another trip to Cozumel in Febuary but I will hold off on that one. Deposits are due, and I dont want to waste any money.

I hope they are able to do the transplant. I was in Coz this last weekend and started having knee pain while kicking in current. I was a little worried about air expanding in the joint also, but looks like that wont be any problems.

 

[mddolson]

My Doctor advised 6 weeks for soft tissues to heal. I've had 4 arthroscopes, a minisectomy and finally a total knee replacement. I was able to start physio within 10 days after the scopes, but I was 4 weeks after the knee replacement before I started physio and 4 months getting the leg back in shape (3 days a week)

Mike D