Knee surgery in 2nd trimester?

[Anonymous]

I am 4 mos pregnant and tore the meniscus in my right knee about 5 weeks ago. I'm an extremely active person normally so this is a huge hit. The injury is still evolving a bit so there's a chance it could still improve, but generally the way to fix a meniscus tear is through a 30-min arthroscopic surgery. My knee doc talked to my OB, who said the procedure--local anesthetic plus some kind of "twilight" intravenous drug to knock me out--is safe for the baby, and 2nd trimester is the best time to do this. But I'm very conservative about drugs and chemicals during pregnancy and the idea of surgery makes me nervous. As a friend pointed out, what if there are complications or infection (doubtful, as it's a very simple procedure, but possible)? Obviously my #1 concern is baby safety and health.

But on the other hand, this sucks! On most days I can take short walks w/o a crutch, but the pain comes and goes so I have good days and bad days. I can't bike, run, dance, take yoga, etc., and would have to steel myself for 5 more mos of this. Plus, if I do eventually get surgery, it'd probably be during the baby's first few weeks and that would be pretty tricky too, esp trying to recover during that time.

I know this is long but I'd love to hear people's thoughts. First, opinions on whether to do it now or not. Second, I'm looking to get a couple 2nd opinions b/c I don't actually know my OB all that well. Any recommendations for someone to talk to, perhaps a female doc and/or someone who's NOT a gung-ho drug person?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I don't have any OB recs, but I would never have elective surgery while pregnant. I wouldn't risk the effect of anasthesia or the follow-on pain/anti-inflammatory meds. I just would never forgive myself if anything happened to the baby.

[Anonymous]

I don't think anyone from anesthesia will do "twilight" sleep on a pregnant woman in her second trimester. At this point, your digestion has slowed down quite a bit, so you are considered a "full stomach" even if you have fasted for the required 8 hours before surgery. A knee scope can be done under local. It'll just hurt like hxxx while he numbs up the knee with local anesthetic. The other option is spinal anesthesia. Totally safe for the baby, but would just take a while for the numbness to wear off.

[Anonymous]

There is no way I would do this. I had knee surgery and the pain after was so great that there was no way I couldn't have made it with no pain killers. Has your doctor considered cortizone? I would wait at least a year to do it. You'll not want to be on crutches with a new born.

[Anonymous]

I have had a lot of knee surgeries and I don't know that I would be comfortable having this surgery while pregnant.
Recovery varies greatly btw person to person and surgery to surgery. The level of pain, complications, physical therapy, etc. You really never know what you are going to get with a surgery but you can only hope for a textbook case/recovery.

I would definitely talk to other obs but also other os's to get some other medical opinions on timing and pros and cons. Consider recovery medication as well.

Having knee surgery with a newborn would be not ideal but it's probably the route I would take. I would wait four weeks after baby is born just to adjust (but depending on pain level, maybe sooner) and plan to have lots of help around during recovery. Before the baby is too active or too mobile might be easier for you - just lots of cuddling up while you recover and baby sleeps and feeds. Having help is going to be key.

Good luck - neither option is ideal!

[Anonymous]

Good luck to you, in whatever decision you make.

I would not elect surgery during pregnancy. I'm so sorry this happened to you!

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't have elective surgery during pregnancy. Why now wait a few months after baby? If you can make it through pregnancy without it then you can go a little longer and not have it when the baby is a few weeks old.

You really need to weight the risks and benefits. Is your active lifestyle worth the risk? No right or wrong answer and I get that not being able to be active when that is a huge part of your life does suck.

[Anonymous]

I actually had to have non-elective surgery under general anesthesia during my second trimester. I was freaking out but the baby was fine. It was done with an OB anesthesiologist and I know precautions were taken for the baby. I had no choice about the surgery though. Good luck with your decision OP.

[Anonymous]

Can you wait until 3rd trimester when baby is further along? I might wait until after viability and do no twilight sleep if it were me.

[Anonymous]

This is some shit luck. I loved being active during my pregnancy and I feel like it made delivery easier. Sorry, OP. Any chance you can do some physical therapy in the interim?

PP brings up some good advice about after surgery anti-inflammatories. I think you can ask your current OB if he/she can recommend anyone that you can talk to like a high risk Maternal/fetal doctor or talk to another surgeon, too.

I'd spend a couple months researching before committing to anything. That way you will have given your injury time to evolve. Also will that fact that pregnancy hormones are stretching out your ligaments have an effect on anything?

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Firstly, may I suggest you take up swimming? Low impact.
Secondly, I had to have heart surgery while I was pregnant. I had a high-risk ob/gyn due to heart problems and had both her and my midwife talk to the cardio surgeon and go over every single drug (and dosage) that would be used. Surgery went swimmingly. Baby is almost 10 months old.

[Anonymous]

I would go on the advice of your doctor as walking on a torn meniscus 9 months pregnant is going to be miserable. I KNOW that they won't put your child at risk and that most medications/anesthetics are safe that they would use. Do what is right for you. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

is this an injury where they would stitch your meniscus back together, or one where they would shave down/remove the torn bit? The rehab and recovery from those surgeries are VERY different. I might consider a shave/removal. Might. But having gone through both, I would never in a million years have my meniscus stitched back together while pregnant.

[Anonymous]

I am 17 weeks pregnant and having my meniscus snipped in 1 week. I will have a local anasthesia as well as versed for a conscious sedative. I met with 2 OB's and 2 surgeons before making a decision. The OBs both feel confident that the surgery is safe for baby. Good luck

[Anonymous]

I'm having surgery nov 25 at 13 weeks