DH hurt his knee in an accident at work several weeks ago. The work Dr diagnosed knee sprain, but after 3 weeks of severe pain, he insisted on an MRI which shows torn ACL and meniscus. The ACL has to be reconstructed. There a three methods to do this. I am wondering in any of you have experienced this yourselves or with your family, what method you chose, and what the results were. TIA.

So funny you should ask. I just returned from the ortho doctor with DH last week. He had previously had his other knee done with a cadaver ligament. Healing was slow and painful. Crutches for 6-7 weeks and the therapy is frequent. Someone must drive him to and from at the beginning.

Now the other knee ACL is torn. He opted not to repair it. The ortho doctor said as long as the knee is not "locking out" or "giving way" he should be fine. He has pain sometimes, doctor said he could take 800 mg Naproxen or get a cortisone shot in the knee. He will never be able to jump, jog, play basketball, etc. But for dh, that's ok, he cycles (bicycle riding) so it's no impact. He said in 10 yrs or less dh will need a knee replacement and he's only 46 yrs old now! So, he opted to live with a little pain until then.

Are you sure he must have the surgery?
Good Luck

Paulette

Not yet, but in a few months hubby will be having the surgery for his knee! I'm looking for info too from those who have BTDT so I know what to expect when hubby gets home from having it done.

__________________
"Why must you speak, when you have nothing to say." Horatio Hornblower

DH is a firefighter, so his knee has to be able to carry equipment into buildings and up stairs. Also climb ladders with or without equipment or people, pivot while controlling a powerful hose etc. It is a very physical job, so I am worried about this a great deal. He will not be able to function even minimally with knee as it is now. Dr says repair is his only option.

I am work comp adjuster. Let me offer a bit of advice from the work comp aspect:
*I would get a second opinion from a orthopedist who specializes in knee.
*If the second opinion is the first then your DH needs to ask the Dr. a couple of questions:
--"will the surgery allow me to pursue my current career?"
--"will I need further surgeries?"
--"will I need to wear a brace while working?"

Just a suggestion from MY perspective--get an attorney who's main practice is work comp. This is going to be a long process for your DH to deal with.

As far as the surgery: if it can be done laparscopically recovery time is usually reduced. But your still looking at 2-3 weeks of complete NONWEIGHTBEARING. Then extensive physical therapy. At the earliest your DH may be able to return to work in a limited capacity in 8 weeks.

Is he drawing any sort of Workers' Comp benefits?

__________________
Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

Thanks for all replies so far. Just what I was looking for.
Marilynk:His salary is being continued by the city he works for. He told me it is not worker's comp- the city funds it's own program for salary and medical expenses. I really do not understand how this works, but I am told that the city is good and fair about paying people when they are out with a firmly documented on the job injury, which his is. But we want to be informed on this issue, and know all his rights. What role would an attorney take and how would he/she be paid?
It is my understanding that only the replacement done with the cadaver piece would be done arthrocopically, and those results not as promising as the other two methods. There is no light duty where he works; if he is not fit for duty, he stays home. He is already very bored and a little depressed.

The city is apparently a self-insured entity. And while they may be fair regarding salary and medical expenses, I believe--based on my experience--that your DH may never be considered "fit" for duty as a Firefighter, and that needs to be addressed. A lot of that will depend on how badly your DH wants to get back to work, his age, how well he heals, if any complications arise (infection is a biggie), etc.

An attorney works as your (your DH's) advocate. An attorney can insure that your DH not only gets care and treatment in a timely manner, but also that your DH gets any other services he needs (like vocational rehab, vocational re-training, psych services--depression can be considered part of his claim if he never suffered from it before or if the physician feels that the injury is the root cause of his depression.). Generally an attorney takes a work comp case on a contingency basis, with the attorney getting a percentge of any settlement reached in the claim or negotiate for the insured (the city) to pay the fee

I would STRONGLY suggest that your DH find out what the city's policy is for permanent and total disabled workers. What plan does the city have in place for vocational rehab/training?
Of course, work comp guidelines vary from state to state, I know my state relatively well!
Most states have a website for their work comp commission/dept of labor.
Your best source of information will be your state's web site.
If, at any time, you don't understand something you should ask questions--of the doctor, of the city personnel dept., of the state(regarding rules and regs).
Feel free to PM with any specific questions--I may not be able to answer them, but may be able to help you find the person or place who can answer your question.

__________________
Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"