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Surveying and knee surgery.
Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 8:02 pm
by pbchief2
Have any of you field guys ever had knee surgery? I will be having a meniscus trimmed or repaired soon. And am wondering how long if at all you waited to return to the field.
P.S. Not being able to walk right makes for a long day.
Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 7:59 pm
by land butcher
I have a torn meniscus, my ortho surgeon told me to live with it until I couldn't any more. Removal is like removing the cushion between the two bones.
Mine hasn't, knock on wood, bothered me in a few years now.
Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 8:40 pm
by pbchief2
I really appreciate hearing from other people in the survey profession. Most of the people I've met having the surgery have been white collar office workers. Land butcher, I wasn't that lucky, I have limited range of motion and pain whenever I walk on it. My surgeon says I should be ok after a few weeks if it is removed or a few months if it is repairable. I've lost about 50% of muscle mass in my calf and 25% from my thigh from not being able to walk right on it so far. I enrolled in the gym to start to recover that, I never realized how much of my exercise came from everyday activity. I'm hoping the insurance company approves the surgery in two weeks, if not I'll have to do it out of pocket.
what the hell??
Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 9:51 am
by David Anaya
16? seriously?
from what? basketball? dirt biking?
Ill be honest im in constant paain from my knees since i was a teen from all the sports i played and injuries, but they dont hurt when i am walking or chaining.. When i am resting after a long day or standing behind the gun after a few hours thats when i feel it...
knew a chainman who worked for years with a bad hip that would eventually need replacing... he was really good but i cant imagine the pain he feels on a constant basis...
Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 12:12 pm
by pbchief2
This is what I wanted to hear about. When most people find out I work in the surveying profession they picture me standing behind the gun "taking pictures" or standing in the street holding the rod. This of course included my regular doctor who figured I'd be fine even though I cant really walk or straighten my knee.
Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2010 1:31 pm
by pbchief2
PDub wrote:Wow! I will never again complain about how my back feels after standing in back of the instrument for 8 hours...
Not trying to play down standing behind the gun, especially a long day of standing on concrete doing a topo.
mi_amor wrote:Haha, and another "fun subject" near and dear to my heart...(I.e. Your Back).
Not only have I had those 16 knee surgeries on the knees, but I have broken my back 2 separate times, playing organized football. So if it aint the knees throbbing, then it could be th weak back that had me unable to walk for 7 days.
To answer the previous question about "how it happened hurting my knees". I was playing basketball at college back in 1997. I then blew it out again playing organized football a few years later. Then I kept injuring it playing racquetball, tennis, running etc. Basically was wear and tear.
I loved playing sports (still do), but now live through both of my kids. I am the head coach to their basketball, soccer and baseball teams. :-).
Life is too short to moan and groan about things, but on a personal note - you should not have to live with strong pain. So go ahead with the surgery and get the instant relief needed, then just be careful what you do in future.
I hope this all helps!?
Justin Pallamary, PLS
This is a great help as far as moral support and hearing from someone with first hand experience.
Different but good topic
Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2010 8:36 am
by PLS7393
I haven't had any problems with my knees (knock on wood), and hopefully this will educate the younger surveyors in protecting your knees. I do not have much cartilige left in my kneews, so I try to be carefull, and you should too.
When I was a younger chainman, my partychief was always on my case not to kick the dirt with my foot in a sideways motion, since that puts all the stress in your knee, and it is not a natural motion for your leg. Rather if you need to kick dirt or rocks, kick the debris like your kicking a ball, so your knee is moving in a natural motion. Don't forget to use knee pads too. They might not be natural or fun to hike with, but they sure help when it comes to kneeling on them rocks.
I am a firm believer that due to this good field practice, my knees will last longer. I hope this is good info for those who do not have problems, and truly sorry to hear of so many surveyors with bad knees.
Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2010 1:41 pm
by pbchief2
Great post, I remember my first Chief trying to instill the same lesson as I pushed manhole covers into place WRONG. I just figured I was invincible at the time. Although my knee injury was not cumulative it was done on a basketball court by an over zealous player, I decided I need to start being more mindful of my health in many ways.