I am sharing this story with you on why I had emergency knee surgery for a bucket handle tear of the meniscus. I wanted to share this with you for a few reasons. The first, many readers have sent messages and emails asking where I have been??
The second reasons is I hope this can help someone in the future.
To tell you the truth, I never thought something like this would happen to me because you see it more in athletes. But the surgeon said because I have rheumatoid arthritis, it probably caused this overtime.
I have shared a little bit of this on instagram, but today I am sharing the full story.
So, let me tell you the story!
Emergency Knee Surgery For Bucket Handle Tear Of Meniscus
On Friday, February 28, I was visiting my parents. It was a normal day, and Amelia was playing with her puppies. I was getting ready to head home, but thought I would let her play a little longer.
I had woken up that morning with some pretty bad knee pain, but I just assumed it was RA acting up, so I didn’t pay much attention to it. I had put our bags in the car, and was gathering Amelia’s things to head home.
I walked in between the sofa and coffee table to sit on the couch, and that is when it happened. My knee made this horrible popping sound. Instinctively, I tried to straighten my knee, but it was stuck! The pain just shot through my body. I couldn’t move it, stand up, or anything, I knew I needed to go the ER, but I had no idea how I was going to get there. My dad tried to pick me up, but even that motion was horrible pain. I sat there for awhile, thinking it might get better, but it was getting worse. My knee was stuck in a 90 degree angle… We had to call an ambulance to transport me to the ER.
They did an X-ray which showed no bone issues like dislocation or fracture. The doctor determined it must be a tendon or ligament possibly meniscus. Something like that. She said I would need an MRI to determine it. They gave me some doctors names, and released me. I called all the doctors including my primary care and rheumatologist. Everyone was gone because it was late on Friday!
I couldn’t even get back in the car, the pain was so intense, I can’t even describe it. I just sat on the couch as best I could with my knee in the bent position. I kept thinking if I could just rest maybe I would feel better in the morning. My husband came over to help me, and he said we have to take you the ER. We are going to Fort Worth now. At first I was hesitant, but I knew I wouldn’t survive the night with this pain. I couldn’t even take a sip of water.
Heading to Fort Worth
My parents live over an hour away from Fort Worth, so it felt like the longest drive ever. We finally got there, and they wheeled me into a room. They started me on some pain killers to help me for the moment. The doctor came in and checked my motion around the ankle. She said, it looked like a meniscus tear, but we would get an MRI. A few minutes later, I was getting the MRI. I was shaking so hard from pain at this point! All I could do was pray to get through this.
They brought me back to the room while a doctor looked at the MRI findings. They got me onto a bed with warm blankets and pain medications, which was such a relief.
A few minutes later she came back, and she said I had a bad meniscus tear which had flipped under my knee cap causing me not to move the knee at all. She brought in the orthopedic surgeon, and he said we have to operate as soon as possible. If you wait too long to operate on a meniscus tear, it might not be possible, then you have to have a donor meniscus which can take many months to find. Operating within a day or two was imperative.
They admitted me to the hospital that night. My surgery was scheduled early Sunday morning, so on Saturday they just had me resting, medication, and keeping me as comfortable as possible. All the nurses and staff at Harris Downtown Fort Worth were so wonderful and kind! I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.
Surgery was early Sunday morning. They were able to repair the meniscus, and he also cleaned out some arthritic damage and inflammation.
I went home that evening.
Recovery has been CHALLENGING to say the least. I am currently writing this on my laptop in the recliner where I have spent the last week. I never knew you could have that kind of pain! They told me this type of meniscus tear is one of the most painful, and also harder to fix in surgery depending on how long you wait.
I am Thankful
I am so thankful for good doctors and nurses at Harris downtown Fort Worth. They helped me so much! I am so thankful for my family too. Thank you to Jesus for getting me through this horrible pain, I would not survived without His love and comfort.
This has certainly been an unexpected journey.
I wanted to right this story for you because sometimes when we deal with chronic pain, we feel bad for always bringing it up. Like, my knee pain has been really bad. I just said, well it’s arthritis, no big deal.
Turns out I had a tear for probably many months.
If you are having chronic pain, always check with the doctor just in case. It could just be the chronic pain, or it could be an injury like this. Don’t try to be tough! Sometimes things like this do happen that you can’t avoid, but getting help early on is the best thing to do.
Controlling Rheumatoid Arthritis
This story is written for anyone who has RA too. RA is so damaging to joints. It is important to go to a rheumatologist to get treated often. Take the medicine they recommend. The most important thing about having RA is controlling it. You don’t want joint damage on top of bad pain!
I will keep everyone updated with recovery and any new developments!
Thank you for all the messages and emails 🙂
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What a painful injury. I’m so sorry. I pray that your recovery goes well!
Thanks Bonnie!!
Oh Alexis! I’m so sorry you’re going through this! I cannot imagine the pain you’ve been and are currently going through, but I’m praying the meds and time will ease the discomfort and healing will be quick. Hmm that your previous knee pains may have been small tears that led to this big tear. Thank you for being the “lighthouse” on RA – our reminder to be aware of current conditions and to be in contact w doctor regularly. Take care of yourself!
Thanks Laurie! It has certainly been a rough journey with this injury and so unexpected, but I’m so thankful the hard part is over with! Thank you for the prayers
Alexis — so so sorry for all you are going thru. And thank you for sharing so many things about your RA ‘journey’. Your experiences have certainly helped me navigate my life thru pain and natural things to do to help. Praying for your complete recovery so you can be back running around with your little one.
Thank you so much for the prayers!! I can’t wait to get back to being a mommy and running around with Amelia!
OMGoodness! So far this year, all I have heard from family. close friends and neighbors is that everyone is ill, in pain, doing much doctoring and having surgeries. Good wishes and more prayers for God’s blessings are coming your way now, too.
It’s definitely been a tough year it seems. Thanks so much!
Hi Alexis. As I read your experience I started feeling your pain ( kind of ) and was sooo happy when the nurse brought you pain meds and settled you in a warm bed (some relief!). Wow, you have been through a lot!
Crazy how this happened but at least you weren’t by yourself. Rest sounds like what you need but sitting so much causes “butt” pain. Lol. Therapy in your future. ❤️???
Those nurses were so wonderful!! Such a relief that night. Yes, my butt is hurting from sitting lol thank you so much!
Ohso not good and oh so painful I hope you are ok
I’m doing better!
Oh no! I’m so sorry! I can’t imagine how painful that was for you. I look forward to your posts and have learned so much from you. I check your e-book anytime I need a recipe for anything so Thank you for that. I hope that you feel better real soon. Please take care of yourself – don’t rush it. You don’t want to do any further damage.
Thanks so much! You’re right, I definitely need to remember to rest. Which can be hard for me! 🙂 Thank you for your sweet comment
Alexis, I am so very sorry to hear about what you’ve gone through. I am so sorry for the excruciating pain that you had to go through as well. You share a beautiful testimony of the comfort and love of Jesus and clinging to Him during this trying time. You are an inspiration! Take time to rest and heal. You can have special chair time with your sweet baby girl – some stories and cuddles! Praying for your health and healing!
You’re sister in Christ,
Gretchen
YOUR sister : )
Thanks so much for your sweet comment Gretchen! I’m so thankful for Jesus getting me through this time. I working on getting well and trying to take it easy…which can be difficult at times lol thank you again 🙂 have a good day!
I’m glad the issue is getting resolved for you my “fellow knee pain sufferer”! I had knee replacement in 2013 and it was quite an ordeal but still one of the best decisions I ever made. Sounds to me that you will be back in the saddle soon. Be well and recover soon!
It’s certainly a tough recovery, but I know it will get better! Thank you!
Praying for your continued recovery and the safety and well being of your family at this time. I also want to say how much I enjoy the information you share in your newsletters! Thank you.
Thanks so much Linda! I really appreciate the prayers 🙂
God bless you in your recovery! Sending prayers up for a speedy and complete recovery!
Thanks Mary!! I really appreciate all the prayers!
Alexis just found your site looking for homemade cleaning options. I’ve had the same injury as you on my right knee so I’m aware how it feels and how rehab was. It get better. I put up with the pain and locking up for about two months like a dummy thinking it would get better. Stay down and let that thing heal up. Best of luck.
Hope you are doing better now! I kept thinking I could just rest a bit, but my knee was stuck at 90 degrees even when they pushed it really hard…so, I am glad I had the surgery although it has definitely been a long 6 weeks!