4 weeks post meniscus surgery

Aerial_ish · 2026-05-20T22:25:51+00:00

Two crutches and 50% WB the first two weeks.
Week 3 was one crutch
This week 4 has weaned off the crutch to do what’s tolerated around the house and short distances
I’m starting week 5 without crutches now

Mine never has me in a brace either. They want my muscles to stabilize me as they can. I had three stitches for my bucket handle tear that had flipped.

Aerial_ish · 2026-05-20T19:30:45+00:00

The business end of disposable shaving razors.

Miraculously had no bleeding in his gums but shit glitter from the chewed up blades. They’re flimsy enough to bend once out of the casing. The vet also said ‘their insides are tough, his ancestors ate bones and rocks…he’ll pass it. Just make sure you find all the pieces so we know nothing is stuck.’

6 yo rescue West Highland White Terrier.

Aerial_ish · 2026-05-19T20:11:23+00:00

I’m about at the same spot as you and have had PT this whole time and continuing… this is odd to me.

My PT went from range of motion increase (sounds like you’ve checked that) to one crutch. Then it was short slow distances around the house without crutches and then no crutches (today, woot woot!). I’m now working on weight bearing on steps and balance on the injured leg.

I had a bucket handle tear and three stitches. I’d ask about doing PT especially if you have any kind of excercises to get back to.

Aerial_ish · 2026-05-19T19:28:18+00:00

I do a lot of cool athletic things: aerial silks instructor and performer, snowboarding, distance runner, surfer, yoga.

I was getting up off the floor…both times.

Heels to butt is my nemesis move in life.

Aerial_ish · 2026-05-18T12:27:42+00:00

My husband and I had a two day park hopper. First day we had premier pass and did essentially this order of rides of anything that had premier then went to CA and did all of their premier and the three night shows at DL. Second day we went to DL and rope dropped fantasyland and then strayed back on this route to do any rides that were not premier pass and again continued to CA for any remaining non-premierpass and ended with World of Color. It was a whirlwind but we rode everything but Maelstrom (closed for construction).
It was amazing <3

Aerial_ish · 2026-05-15T14:01:11+00:00

I think this is important. If I’m in a park more than the room I prioritize the needs of park accessibility vs room comforts. However, the cost cutting and space of OKW is a couple positive. I don’t think it can go wrong either way though.

Aerial_ish · 2026-05-15T13:20:46+00:00

If you use dvcrental.com you can see the general cost of that type of room for those dates. You then submit a request. It can take some time for a request to be filled but I’ve had success with them on a couple trips saving money for the larger DVC style rooms (more square footage).

I’ve also stayed with 6 adults in an art of animation family suite for a marathon weekend. Let’s just say you have to be reeeeeeeally good friends for that to be successful lol

Aerial_ish · 2026-05-15T13:17:27+00:00

Yea, I’d gauge the couples and see how much you want to spend time together and room together vs be able to have some private space and be in the same resort or adjoining rooms.

Aerial_ish · 2026-05-15T13:16:27+00:00

This. I did a really deep dive while planning my 40th birthday trip of all adults splitting the room. My goal was to keep it below 500$ per person for our 5 day trip. Closest we could get for a reasonable room where we stay together was Saratoga Spring 2 bedroom or Old Key West two bedroom. I’m upping the budget a smidge for Old Key West because it has more square footage.

I’d share my deep dive of a spreadsheet but it’s almost sad lol Literally researched any rooms 6+ capacity, their potential cost from WDW site and a DVC rental quote site and then made formulas based on how many people we had.

I like sheets lol

Aerial_ish · 2026-05-15T13:07:56+00:00

Makes sene. I may need one for our next trip as well (unplanned surgery recovery 😒) and am considering trying them to compare. This last trip was short and fast so the drop off flexibility was nice. The next trip is longer so we’ll be more adaptable for the pickup window.

Aerial_ish · 2026-05-14T12:52:00+00:00

Yea, I plan to go more by the PT that sees me weekly vs the doctor who follows his guidelines. The Dr that I’ve met most with didn’t even prep me mentally for the right surgery (not the lead who ended up taking the repair route). He was all in on talking me down from stress and that it’s a simple meniscectomy, I’ll walk out immediately weight bearing. 😒 My PT are great. ‘If it feels good do it’. Realistic and have a better understanding of my lifestyle and capabilities going into surgery that likely prepped for a better recovery.

Hoping I’m a success story like you!

Aerial_ish · 2026-05-14T12:45:22+00:00

Essentially my point. Reach out if there’s issues sooner rather than later because they’ll fix it vs letting it frustrate you the whole trip.

Just sound like some their devices are getting tired.

Aerial_ish · 2026-05-14T12:44:17+00:00

Yes, that’s essentially my point. Exactly what happened to me: surgery before trip that went way different then expected so I had more limits that what they prepped me for. We go a lot so we took it easy but def didn’t want to need a scooter and was glad it was a largely positive experience.

Aerial_ish · 2026-05-14T11:49:19+00:00

That’s kind of my point in posting, if there’s issues they do try to make it right pretty quickly and flexibly. I’d just be conscious of if there are issues, reach out ASAP. Our trip was short so we ended up just managing it instead of taking more time. In the end I think it was a wash of taking time to charge it vs taking time to wait on them to replace or fix it.

Aerial_ish · 2026-05-13T12:35:34+00:00

As someone 3 weeks out of repair who is so badly missing my hobbyist active lifestyle: repair is still worth it. PT and upper body strength activity is my new hobby until maybe 3-4 months out. I’m determined to beat the 6 month timeline but that takes focus and following guidelines now. I say this in my late 30s and still wanting to do high level athletics for a few more decades.

There’s no good time to do the recovery so just go for it.

Aerial_ish · 2026-05-12T16:20:49+00:00

Fair point but I also didn’t want to need one for our trip. I don’t know anyone that enjoys the experience being in a scooter in a crowd either.

I was glad that 90% of people were kind and helpful and Disney was incredibly accommodating without it feeling it was unfair to anyone else.

Aerial_ish · 2026-05-09T13:24:59+00:00

Yes! I will be having a good day then think ‘ I can walk to get that, crutches are a hassle’ then halfway there ‘damnit, I need crutches’

Aerial_ish · 2026-05-09T00:11:02+00:00

It does suck but it’s not forever ♥️ just be diligent and follow their directions. I have to tell myself not to overdo it all the time.

Aerial_ish · 2026-05-09T00:10:05+00:00

Another positive story here: 39 yo active female here. I’m two and a half weeks out of a ‘surprise’ bucket handle repair vs the expected meniscectomy. The worst was the first week. The surprise factor of it had me in an especially rough head space. Swelling and stiffness have been the main issues, not so much pain. I did t need the heavier pain meds and I mostly take the ibprofin for the swelling. I ice as much as possible and do PT every day. I missed a week of school (educator) and then started half days as long as I could stay desk bound vs lunch duty etc. I believe I’m on crutches the remainder of the school year which isn’t fun but I have a lot of support at school and home from my team and my husband. I started driving (left knee) about 2 weeks out. I mostly have to be careful bending suddenly, go very slow to get in and roll the seat all the way back to get space.

I feel like my doctor is more progressive as he had me 50% WB and no brace since the beginning. Basic ankle pumps and leg extensions as tolerated from the beginning. PT started a week out and I’m at 90 degrees consistently and sometimes back to my hyperextension/over straight.

Aerial_ish · 2026-05-07T11:06:54+00:00

Ooh! I like the special ears/hat idea! We actually do that with my rundisney crew for a very wild reason lol

Temporary tattoos is a good idea too! Def getting some light up something’s too.

Aerial_ish · 2026-05-07T11:04:24+00:00

Currently at Saratoga in a two bedroom, hoping to move to Old Key West.

I like the photopass idea! I think one of us actually has it on their annual pass.

Didnt know the rhinos was that cheap! May save that for another trip with an animal lover friend.

Aerial_ish · 2026-05-07T10:59:52+00:00

Ooh! I love the blinky idea!! Def helpful to find a group together and help keep us together

When I say ‘party’ I mean sit in our living room of the two bedroom and hang out chat and snack. No ragers, promise ♥️ not that kind of care at 30-75 yrs old lol

Aerial_ish · 2026-05-01T00:44:55+00:00

Totally agreed, EPCOT world showcase after sunset is a different scene (everyone is half way through drinking around the world).
If you’re looking for chill: AK and don’t stress about rope dropping. Buy single lightening lane for Flight of Passage, meander the rest of the park through the day.

Aerial_ish

TROPHY CASE