Hi Bluey,
Welcome to KG Bulletin Board, you have chosen the right forum for advice and guidance and might be able to give you some advice from my own personal experiences after having my RK medial plica excision and fat pad trim on 16/11/09.
1) is it normal to still have fluid filled areas after 2 weeks? 2 weeks post-op if that’s the stage you are currently at its normal to still have swelling and pain that will gradually decrease. I have slight swelling and tenderness still around the incisions or portals that could be scar tissue build up.
2) sharp pains when sleeping at night and unable to lay on side. Still feeling pain after ibuprofen 600mg and 20 drops of novaimfulsion. What is the best? This is perfectly normal during the early stages post-op even with the strongest painkillers as one tends to get more pain during the night and early hours of the morning. Currently have a bruised rib injury, feel more pain during the early hours at around 3am to 4am. If possible sleep on your back or if you prefer to sleep on your side or tummy then try not to put any pressure onto the operated knee. It will just agitate the knee even more, taking longer to heal.
3) Is it normal to have bruising from quad muscle on the inside of leg going all the way down to the foot and heel. Is it best to use an ice pack or warm water bottle? I had bruising behind the kneecap around the calf muscle, hamstring and front shinbone below my tibia. Maybe you are more inclined to bruise more easily, can check with your PT if the heavy bruising is ok at this stage of your post-op recovery.
4) since post op I have had a very cold left foot. Not too sure if the nerves in the knee are still restricted. Is it normal to get that after operation? Cannot give you a straight answer to having a very cold foot, Best to seek medical advice ASAP! Circulation problems or DVT a possibility? Why it's best to have it checked over.
5) last question as I work in cleaning and on my feet for about 6 to 7 hours a day. When is it normally acceptable to return to work. At the moment I have very limited ROM. Can hardly bend my knee or get up and down steps. Sense of balance is a bit wobbly?. Do not go back to work as a manual worker until you have been given the all clear from your OS! 6 to 7 hours squatting and kneeling could jeopardise or even ruin your knee that would then be hard to fix again, could be stuck all your life with a dodgy knee. I made this mistake after scope #1 of medial plica excision and fat pad trimming. Scope #2 was AIR surgery to remove excessive scar tissue caused from my scope #1. I may well have overdone things in the early stages post-op. Also doing too little can build up scarring inside the knee, best to see a sports physician or sport physiotherapist for advice on preventing too much scar tissue build up.
Hope my advice is of some use and significance after your plica excision surgery and that you are able to fully recover from your surgery.
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